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MAY 2024 Kunkel Case Files 724-438-3020 • www.KunkelLawFirm.com • GKunkel@KunkelLawFirm.com GET THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS YOU NEED
UNDERSTANDING THE CRITERIA
Keep in mind, however, that a diagnosis alone doesn’t mean you will be awarded benefits automatically. The SSA scrutinizes your medical records to determine the severity and duration of your symptoms and how much they interfere with your ability to work. It can be difficult to meet or equal SSA’s criteria for the impairments listed here. Nevertheless, even if you do not automatically qualify with a listed impairment, you can still qualify for Social Security disability benefits by proving you are unable to perform your past work and you are unable to work at any other type of employment on a consistent full-time basis (five days per week and eight hours a day) because of your mental impairments and that your condition has lasted or expected to last for at least 12 months. In my experience, the biggest mistake clients make is failing to consistently treat with a psychiatrist and a therapist for their mental health impairments. While not a written rule, Social Security judges generally expect people claiming disabling mental impairments to be treated by mental health specialists. Even though it is common for primary care physicians to treat some mental health disorders and even prescribe medications, it is best to seek treatment from a psychiatrist if you believe you have a mental impairment that keeps you from working. Moreover, it is extremely important to follow your health care provider’s treatment recommendations and maintain consistent treatment. Otherwise, SSA may not see a persistent and pervasive pattern of mental health symptoms to warrant an award of benefits.
May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month to increase understanding of mental health, its impact on families and communities across our country, and to recognize and thank the dedicated mental health providers who treat and care for those experiencing mental health problems. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 5 Americans suffer from some form of mental illness (57.8 million people in 2021), but only one-half of those receive treatment due to a multitude of factors, including lack of health care providers and lack of insurance. Not surprisingly, it is even more challenging for people living in rural areas and traditionally underserved communities to access mental health treatment. Tragically, many people still feel ashamed to reach out for mental health treatment. Given the prevalence of mental illness, it is no surprise that mental impairments, either standing alone or in combination with physical impairments, make up a large portion of Social Security disability claims. Social Security recognizes 11 categories of listed mental impairments that, if sufficiently severe, automatically qualify an individual for an award of benefits. The listed impairments include:
• Neurocognitive disorders
• Personality and impulse control disorders
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder
At Kunkel Law Firm, we specialize in helping individuals navigate the complicated process of applying for Social Security disability benefits and are here to answer your questions about the disability process.
• Depression, bipolar, and related disorders
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Intellectual disorders
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety and obsessive- compulsive disorders
• Trauma and stressor-related disorders
–Greg Kunkel
• Somatic symptoms and related disorders
www.KunkelLawFirm.com • 1 Social Security Disability • Workers’ Compensation • Employment Rights • DUI Defense
MARIE CURIE’S DEDICATION TO SCIENCE A Legacy of Resilience and Brilliance
couldn’t be real scientists. It was the first of many accomplishments to improve gender equality for the masses.
Marie Curie, born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, left an undeniable mark on the scientific world. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to receive Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields. Her groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry reshaped our understanding of the universe at large and paved the way for future generations of women in science. Born Marya Sklodowska, she was the daughter of teachers and was curious from a young age. She worked as a governess for her sister as she pursued her doctoral career in Paris. She
Madame Curie, unfortunately, lost her collaborator and husband in a road accident in 1906. She took her late husband’s position as chair of the physics department at the Sorbonne and continued as a single mother of two daughters. Just five years later, in 1911, Curie secured her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry. She discovered radium and polonium, two elements that significantly
advanced our understanding of radioactivity, further cementing that women could succeed in science.
was determined to channel her curiosity into higher education, though women were not encouraged to attend school, especially in science. But in 1891, she followed her sister and moved to Paris to attend school in Sorbonne, where she met and married Pierre Curie, a fellow scientist who became a lifelong collaborator. In 1903, she won her first Nobel Prize alongside her husband and Henri Becquerel for their research on radioactivity. The recognition became historic, not just for Curie but for all women. This win challenged the prevailing belief that women
Her extensive exposure to radiation throughout her career took a heavy toll on Curie’s health. She passed away from leukemia in 1934 after helping allied efforts in the First World War. Her pioneering spirit, dedication to research, unyielding perseverance, and intellect continue to inspire countless scientists today, especially women in STEM. Madame Curie will always be remembered as a symbol of scientific excellence and the relentless pursuit of knowledge for the greater good.
Wannabe Bank Robber Calls Ahead, Orders Cash to Go Dialing for Dollars
the bank when the managers initiated a lockdown. The accomplice passed the teller a note and collected about $900, but police stopped him as he left the bank. The fleeing accomplice was undoubtedly disappointed when the bag exploded in
Any bank robber knows you have to hurry through a heist to escape. A crook in Connecticut tried a novel time-saving technique: calling ahead.
Taking a cue from the take-out food craze, the wannabe bank robber called a bank in Fairfield, Connecticut, and demanded that $100,000 in large bills be prepared for him with no dye packs in the bag. If the orders were not carried out, the caller told the employee, “there will be a bloodbath.” Fairfield cops, who thought they’d seen it all, were dumbfounded. “You can’t make this stuff up,” said a spokesman for the Fairfield Police Department. Robbers have tried many routes when attempting to rob a bank, including entering the drive-through lane and terrorizing tellers through the window. But, “I’ve never had somebody call ahead and say, ‘Get the money, we’re coming,’” said a detective in the Fairfield case. In taking advantage of the telephone warning, the police were already at the scene when the robbers arrived. “I would classify these individuals as ‘not too bright,’” the police spokesman said.
dye after throwing it on the ground. (Bank employees had disregarded the robbers’ phone order that no dye packs be tucked in with the cash. You just can’t get good service these days.) The accomplice and the robber who placed the call, who had been sitting in a car nearby, were both arrested at the scene without incident. The adult suspect, Albert Bailey, was on probation for a different bank hold-up several years earlier. Both were charged with first-degree robbery and threatening in the first degree.
The employee who answered the robber’s call immediately hung up and called 9-1-1. The thief’s accomplice, a minor, was already inside
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Social Security Disability • Workers’ Compensation • Employment Rights • DUI Defense
TAKE A BREAK
PARENTING WITH EMPATHY
The Gentle Parenting Philosophy
Parenthood is the greatest challenge many people will ever face, and raising children today is tougher than ever before in the technology-laden and constantly shifting state of the world. There are many parenting methods, and the latest viral one, gentle parenting, deserves a closer look. This parenting philosophy focuses on a strong parent-child relationship, offering a compassionate alternative to traditional physical disciplinary methods. Gentle parenting emphasizes building a deep, intentional understanding of a child’s needs and the emotions that stem from them. Rather than punishing a child for acting out, gentle parents encourage their children to voice their concerns so they can get to the root of challenging emotions. They view behavioral challenges as opportunities for connection and growth instead of corrections to be made. Active listening, open communication, and constructive problem-solving foster a positive environment where children feel valued and understood. This empathy doesn’t mean that children can mistreat parents, either. It’s still important to set boundaries. Instead of strict rules supported by physical punishment, gentle parenting invites parents to collaborate with their children on decision-making. Involving children in discussions about expectations and consequences will ensure they understand the reasoning behind your rules and what breaking them means. This can encourage children to feel empowered and respected in the discipline process.
Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
Inspired by StarTribune.com
• 1 1/2 lb flank steak • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp fish sauce Ingredients
For sauce: • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp fish sauce • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 tbsp lime juice
At its core, the most important aspect of gentle parenting
is rejecting traditional punishments. Gentle parenting is about teaching children appropriate behaviors through positive reinforcement and
Directions 1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
intentional understanding of emotions — inspiring good behavior by acting as a positive example rather than by fear of punishment.
By prioritizing empathy, open communication, and nonviolent discipline, you can raise children who are able to recognize, inspect, and voice their emotions in a peaceful manner. As parents embrace these principles, they contribute to the development of emotionally secure, confident, and well-adjusted children who will grow into great global citizens.
www.KunkelLawFirm.com • 3 Social Security Disability • Workers’ Compensation • Employment Rights • DUI Defense
Kunkel Law Firm 724-438-3020
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Social Security Disability Benefits for Mental Health Demystified
Marie Curie: A Pioneer’s Spirit
Dumb Crimes: Wannabe Bank Robber Places Phone Order for Cash
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Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
The Art of Gentle Parenting
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Not Just a Crime of Passion
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Promising Career Allegedly Upended by Secret Love THE TWISTED TALE OF LAWYER TURNED TRIPLE MURDERER
another client to plant a bag of “methamphetamine” (it was sugar) at the home of the victim, Tiffany Eichor, 43, who lived with her parents, Jack and Evelynn Chandler. The Chandlers found the bag and called the police; then, they installed security cameras. On Sept. 6, 2019, Harroz and Titus allegedly drove to the Chandler home near Oklahoma City. They allegedly cut the electricity and phone lines and broke in. The couple then went on a rampage, shooting each member of the family as they ran. Just days after the murders, Harroz’s brother turned over an AR-15 rifle to police, stating that the gun was “involved in a triple homicide.” The gun was traced to an Oklahoma man who said he’d sold the gun to Harroz and Titus, according to police. Titus and Harroz are still in jail; their trials are expected to occur sometime in 2024. The larger community is still grappling with the aftermath of such a crime, many missing the family who was senselessly gunned down. The tragic murder of Tiffany Eichor and Jack and Evelynn Chandler is a reminder of the potential darkness that can lurk beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
A chilling story unfolded in Oklahoma City in 2021, filled with passion, betrayal, and murder. Keegan Harroz and her client- turned-lover, Barry Titus II, were arrested and charged in a triple homicide that shocked the country. Harroz was a renowned criminal defense attorney who had a compassionate touch with clients of all types. She graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law
and worked as an assistant public defender before starting her own firm in 2014. There were signs of something darker swirling under the surface, though. In May 2014, she was charged with the domestic assault of her then-husband, allegedly kicking him twice in the face.
She began to represent Titus in 2018 on drug, firearms, and domestic assault and battery charges. She began dating Titus shortly after. In October 2018, Titus was arrested for domestic assault. Two months later, according to the criminal complaint, Harroz used
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Social Security Disability • Workers’ Compensation • Employment Rights • DUI Defense
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