Denial

Why File for Social Security Disability?

Dirk May Denial, Help, Jobs, Law, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Sometimes people who are older wonder if they should file for Social Security Disability or just wait for retirement age?

There are advantages to applying for Social Security Disability.

If you win your case you can get Medicare coverage sooner than 65 years of age. This is a big advantage. Especially if you have no medical insurance, or limited coverage.

If you win your Social Security Disability case you also will receive a higher monthly payment than you would get for early Social Security retirement benefits.

You can also work part-time and earn less than $1,000 per month gross when you are disabled.

All pretty good reasons for applying for Social Security Disability.

Questions about what you need to do to apply for Social Security Disability? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

When Can You Settle Your Work Comp Case?

Dirk May Denial, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

You cannot settle your Workers’ Compensation case in Illinois until you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement “MMI”.

Maximum Medical Improvement is when you are as good as you are going to get.

This may take some time. For example, you may a surgery and need physical therapy. The doctor may then want to do a second surgery. There is no magic time limit in Illinois Work Comp law when you must settle.

Sometimes the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company will stop paying you temporary total disability to force you to settle.

If they stop paying you, then you must go to trial to force the insurance company to turn on your payments again.

Long term medical treatment is stressful. However, the Arbitrator needs to know what your permanent condition and restrictions are before she can rule on the value of your case.

Questions about your medical treatment and how it effects your settlement? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Bipolar and Social Security Disability

Dirk May Denial, Help, Jobs, Law, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Yes, it is possible to be found disabled if you suffer from Bipolar Disorder.

Social Security Disability recognizes mental health problems as keeping you from working.

Some tips if you have Bipolar Disorder.

Keep a simple log. Use a calendar to record the bad days you have and the symptoms.

Tell your therapist and psychiatrist what affect your symptoms have on your daily activities. This will show up in your medical records and give you more credibility with the judge.

Use your spouse or close friend to testify at your Social Security Disability hearing. They should describe what they observe about your symptoms and how you are limited around the house. They should also testify about what they do to help you.

Questions about Mental illness and Social Security Disability? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Do I Have to go to the Work Comp Insurance Company Doctor?

Dirk May Denial, General, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

In Illinois, you do not have to treat with the doctor the insurance company sends you to or recommends, but you do have to attend the IME doctor appointment.

These are two different animals in Illinois Work Comp law. Sometimes insurance companies or employers will send you to an occupational doctor for treatment purposes. Under Illinois law you have the right to treat with your own doctor. You do not have to accept the Workman’s Comp doctor.

However, when the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company sends you a notice to attend a Section 12 Independent Medical Examination you must attend. The Work Comp Law says that if you do not go to the doctor, then the Insurance Company does not have to pay you any benefits. The purpose of the IME visit is not for medical treatment. It is to prepare  medical opinion testimony for purposes of trial.

You should be careful what you tell an IME doctor. The Insurance Company hires this doctor, and he may testify against your interests.

Questions about doctors and insurance company exams? Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

How Long Do I Have to Wait for My Social Security Disability Hearing?

Dirk May Denial, Help, Jobs, Law, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

The good news is that in Central Illinois the wait time for a Social Security Disability Hearing is decreasing.

After you are denied the second time you can request a hearing. This brings your Social Security case before an Administrative Law Judge.

It used to take 2 to 3 years to get a hearing in Central Illinois. This was a killer. Imagine suffering with pain, not able to work, and the government was denying your claim. No money for 2 to 3 years while you wait.

Now it is taking about 12 to 15 months to get a hearing. Not the greatest thing in the world. But much better than 2 to 3 years.

This means you need to have everything in order because your hearing will be scheduled much sooner. You need your doctors’ records, letters, and witnesses ready to go.

Concerned about your Social Security Disability hearing and what will happen? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.