Check out our November newsletter!
CaseBarnettLaw.com
949-565-2993
NOVEMBER 2025
NO MUD, NO LOTUS Chaos Is the Secret Ingredient to a Meaningful Life
What if I told you there’s a holiday dedicated to the unpredictable, messy, and often maddening parts of life? No, it’s not April Fools' Day; it’s Chaos Never Dies Day, celebrated every Nov. 9. The name sounds like a wink from the universe, reminding us that life isn’t here to be neatly organized into bullet points and tidy boxes. Instead, it’s a swirling, unrelenting storm of events, emotions, and curveballs. And sometimes, that’s where the beauty lies. Here’s some old wisdom that seems made for moments like these: Amor Fati . It’s a stoic principle that translates to “love your fate.” To me, it’s about not just accepting what happens and tolerating it but embracing it. Recently, I had a packed to-do list, and I thought it would be the day I would get things under control. But chaos had other plans. A lawyer from the office called in a panic: her father, a green card holder of 30 years, had been arrested during a citizenship interview. At the same time, a high school principal-turned-friend reached out because his nephew had been arrested in Louisiana and needed help navigating the system. Other personal things also decided to throw a wrench in the mix. On paper, it sounds like a disaster movie montage. In reality, it was one of those days where you either screamed into a pillow or decided to lean into the madness, and embracing it made all the difference. The lawyer in need got connected to a brilliant immigration attorney who stepped up in the crisis and opened doors for future cases. That favor didn’t just solve a problem; it strengthened a relationship and built trust beyond paychecks or promotions. That’s Amor Fati in action. Chaos doesn’t have to crush you; it can connect you. It can carve out unexpected paths, introduce the right people at the right time, and deepen bonds in ways a “perfect day” never could.
It’s a lot like the Buddhist phrase, “no mud, no lotus.” The lotus is one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, but it only grows out of the muck at the bottom of a pond. Without the mud, there’s no lotus. Without the chaos, there’s no growth, story, or connection. Isn’t that what makes life’s most memorable stories so compelling? Hardly anyone ever sits around recounting perfectly smooth days. It’s the missed flights, unexpected setbacks at work, and heartbreaks that teach us something real. Struggle has a way of bringing people together, shaping us, forcing us to adapt, find humor, and keep moving forward.
So, this month, maybe the point isn’t to shield yourself from chaos; it’s to celebrate it. The truth is that chaos really never dies. It’s always lurking, always ready to rearrange your carefully laid plans.
–Case Barnett
PAGE 2
949-565-2993
CaseBarnettLaw.com
BEYOND BOARD GAMES Unplug and Reconnect With These At-Home Family Activities
Sometimes, the best memories happen without ever leaving the house. In a world of busy schedules and nonstop notifications, slowing down at home with the people you love is more important than ever. However, “family time” doesn’t have to mean sitting silently in the same room, scrolling on separate screens. Here are some fun, creative at-home bonding activities that go beyond the usual board game night.
break out the spooky stories. Don’t forget to roast marshmallows over the stove, microwave s’mores, and get the giggles going with a game of Would You Rather? under your blanket fort. DIY MOVIE THEATER Pick a movie, create homemade tickets, pop some popcorn, and let each person take a role: usher, snack stand operator, director of pre- movie trivia. It’s a great experience, especially if pajamas are part of the dress code!
FAMILY COOK-OFFS Pick a theme: pizza night, taco bar, or “mystery ingredient challenge,” and split into teams.
THE ‘YES DAY’ CHALLENGE Designate a day where each family member gets one “yes,” within reason. Whether it’s choosing dinner, picking a game, or deciding the music playlist for the evening, it’s a great way to give everyone a turn to feel heard and special. STORY TIME WITH A TWIST Pass around a notebook (or take turns typing) and write a progressive story. Each person adds a paragraph without knowing what the next one will be. The results are usually hilarious and fun and make for great bonding experiences!
Whether it's kids versus adults or a free-for-all, cooking together (and maybe making a mess) turns an ordinary evening into a delicious adventure. You can even offer bonus points for a judging panel and silly chef hats!
INDOOR CAMPOUT Turn your living room into a wilderness escape. String up fairy lights, pull out sleeping bags, and
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
MY HEROES "Why Barnett are my heroes is they listen to me. I got hurt bad enough that it affected my life and changed it a lot. I am not the same person I was before I got hurt. I had to find someone to help me to stand up for me. I was even mentally hurt. Being unable to go back to work has changed a lot in my life. So I called around to see who can help me go through the courts to fight back to show those who hurt me how I felt and how it affected me. And I thank you from my heart. Thank you for helping make my life better. Barnett has such wonderful people who work there. They were there for me; they will be there for you.” –Mary
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
CaseBarnettLaw.com
949-565-2993
PAGE 3
Rethinking 'Mild'
BAKED PINEAPPLE SALMON
Ingredients
• 1 can pineapple slices, drained, reserving 1/4 cup of juice
For a long time, doctors categorized traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as mild, moderate, or severe, and the classification focused on the acute phase, around the time of the injury. They’d look at things like how long someone was unconscious or how long they experienced memory loss. That was basically it. And while it might have seemed straightforward, it completely ignored the long- term consequences of the injury. For lawyers, this old system was a nightmare. Imagine having a client who was labeled as having a “mild” brain injury. On paper, that sounds like no big deal. Defense attorneys could easily say, “It’s mild. How bad could it really be?” And suddenly, you’re trying to tell a story about someone whose life has been forever altered, starting off already on the back foot. It’s like the system was stacked against people who were actually suffering. But now, things are changing. This year, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke proposed a new framework called CBIM. CBIM stands for Clinical, Biomarkers, Imaging, and Modifiers. Instead of relying on just a few acute indicators, this system takes a more comprehensive look at the injury. It combines traditional clinical assessments with blood-based biomarkers, imaging results, and individual patient modifiers like age, medical history, or other factors affecting recovery. The goal is to provide more personalized, accurate care for each patient. Moving beyond the broad “mild, moderate, severe” labels allows doctors to capture the true complexity of brain injuries, rather than oversimplifying them and leaving lingering symptoms undiagnosed or untreated. This is a huge step forward because TBIs are more serious and more prevalent than many people realize. For anyone suffering a brain injury, this new system represents hope for better care, understanding, and outcomes. And for those of us working in litigation, it’s equally transformative. We no longer have to fight against a classification system that trivializes lifelong consequences. CBIM gives us the tools to show the real impact these injuries have on people’s lives, ensuring that the severity of a TBI isn’t underestimated just because it looked “mild” in the immediate aftermath. A New System Is Revolutionizing Brain Injury Care
• 2 1/2 lbs side of salmon • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted • 4 tbsp hoisin sauce • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped • Lime slices
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 3. Place pineapple slices on baking sheet. 4. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and lay over pineapple. 5. In a small bowl, whisk together chili sauce, melted butter, hoisin sauce, garlic cloves, lemon, and pineapple juice. Pour over salmon. 6. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through. 7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime slices.
Inspired by ChefJar.com
LAUGH LAWS
It’s a small change in terminology but a huge leap in understanding and advocacy for anyone affected by brain injuries.
–Case Barnett
PAGE 4
949-565-2993
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1968 S. Coast Hwy. #2680 Laguna Beach, CA 92651
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Amor Fati and the Art of Dancing With Life’s Curveballs Page 2 Make Unforgettable Moments Right at Home
What Our Clients Are Saying
Page 3 The New Era of TBI Assessment
Baked Pineapple Salmon
Page 4 How a Rescue Dog Is Lifting Spirits at Sea
MEET THE NAVY’S FIRST FULL-TIME MORALE DOG Anchors Aweigh, Belly Rubs Ahead
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year- old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?”
been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection.
Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live full time on the USS Makin Island in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride. Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships. “Everyone is just really excited to have a furry companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?”
Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator