What Should I Tell the Doctor?


Sometimes it is hard to figure out what the Arbitrator or the Work Comp insurance company is looking for in your Workers’ Compensation case.

Just remember, whatever shows up in the medical records is important.

Be sure you tell your doctor that you were injured at work and how it happened.

Also tell the doctor all the body parts that were injured.

For instance, if you lifted a box of material over your shoulder and felt a pop in your shoulder, then tell your doctor this.

If you felt immediate pain in the shoulder and a day later felt neck pain also, then tell the doctor.

Limitations you experience are also very important.

If you have daily back pain that runs down the leg and need to take a nap for an hour each day, then tell the doctor.

If you cannot lift more than 5 pounds and have weakness in the shoulder region, then tell your doctor.

You get the idea.

The more your complaints and limitations show up in the medical records, the more believable is your testimony.

Questions about ways to get the most out of your Work Comp settlement? Feel free to call Illinois Worker’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

What Should I Tell My Doctor?


Sometimes it is a mystery what the Social Security Judge is looking for in your disability case.

But what shows up in your medical records is very important.

You do not have to tell your doctor that your are trying to get Social Security Disability.

Some Judges take this in the wrong way. Like you are trying to unduly influence your doctor.

Many doctors do not understand the Social Security Disability process.

So it not always a good idea to emphasize that you are seeking disability.

Telling the doctor your problems is a good idea.

For instance, if you have back pain and it runs down your leg most days of the week, then tell the doctor.

If you have headaches that happen two times a week, and you have to lie down for three hours, then tell the doctor.

Telling the doctor your limitations is another good idea.

If your legs swell and you need to elevate your legs above your waist each day, then be sure to tell the doctor.

You get the idea.

The more that your complaints and limitations show up in the records the better your testimony will sound at the hearing.

Need help with your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Recent Appeals Court Case is Good News


The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a favorable decision in a Social Security case.

The case ruled that Social Security Administrative Law Judges must pay close attention to the testimony of the disabled person.

If the testimony is consistent with the medical records, and the doctors’ opinions, the Judge cannot just ignore or discount it.

In this case, a lady in her thirties, had suffered severe spine and head injuries and had constant headaches, and needed powerful pain medications.

She also had to spend a lot of time laying down.

The Social Security Judge ruled that she could work a sit down job.

This contradicted the ruling of the Agency consulting doctor who did not believe she could work.

This court case should make Administrative Law Judges think very carefully when they are weighing the testimony of a claimant.