Arthritis and Social Security Disability- Tips

There is no question that is becoming much harder to win your Social Security Disability case.

You must make sure that you do everything you can to present a strong case to the Administrative Law Judge.

Arthritis is devastating disease that severely limits your ability to function.

However, it is not enough to just testify that you have problems using your hands, or that you cannot stand or walk long periods because of your arthritis.

You have to approach your case from several different levels.

Make sure that you have witnesses who will write strong letters explaining what they notice about your ability to handle, finger and feel items, and what they observe regarding specific times for standing, walking and lifting. What do they notice about your need to elevate your feet and legs?

Make sure you have xrays or mri’s of your hands, knees, feet, back or hips.

Make sure that your doctor conducts a thorough exam of your hands, knees, feet, back, or hips.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about your limitations regarding walking, standing, and lifting.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about your symptoms such as swelling, pain, and inflammation.

If appropriate, ask your doctor if they will prescribe a brace, cane or walker to assist you with walking and standing.

Everything counts so do not forget to cover all the bases.

Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Good News- You Are Entitled to A Workers’ Compensation Settlement

The law in Illinois provides that you are entitled to a Workers’ Compensation settlement if you are injured on the job and you can prove it.

Some Insurance Companies are failing to tell injured workers that they are entitled to a settlement or they are telling them that the law has changed and they cannot get any settlement.

This information is false.

If you do not settle your claim within a specified amount of time or file an application of claim pursuant to the Illinois law, then your right to a settle will be forever waived.

Make sure that you do not lose your rights to your work injury settlement.

Consult with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer immediately to make sure that you get the money you deserve.

Do not rely on information from the Workers’ Compensation company who does not have your interests in mind.

Any attorney’s fees are limited to 20 percent of your recovery and are not payable until you get your money.

Contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee for a free consultation at 309-827-4371.

Hand Injuries and Social Security Disability

Injuries and problems with your hands severely limit your ability to perform many jobs.

Social Security Vocational consultants will testify that are only very few sit down jobs that will allow you to work with only occasional use of your hands for handling and fingering. There may be a few more jobs in the light category that require only occasional handling and fingering.

This is important in Social Security Disability cases because if you can prove that you are limited to occasional handling and fingering and there are no jobs or very limited jobs available, then you will be found disabled.

The important aspect of these cases is being able to prove you are severely restricted in the use of your hands.

It helps to have xrays of your hands showing advanced arthritis.

It also helps to have an EMG/NCV test showing severe neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome that is not operable.

Any type of diagnostic testing that explains why your hands are burning, numb, tingling, or crippled will help you.

Sometimes you can get functional testing of your hands to detail the limits of grasping, handling and fingering.

Your doctor may also examine your hands and describe their findings and come up with her opinion regarding your limitations.

Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Illinois Workers’ Comp Thoughts

This is a composite of different discussions and experiences I have had with insurance company staff, attorneys and people who have had sought workers’ compensation in Illinois.

This fictional interview takes poetic license to give you an idea of what happens at an insurance company when a work injury occurs.

What is your job?

I am a claims adjuster for a major insurance company. I handle work comp claims from time of injury until settlement.

How many claimants would estimate show up without a lawyer?

Quite a few do not have a lawyer.

What do you notice about claimants who do not have a lawyer?

They do not understand the process and why their bills are not being paid, or why they are denied, or the rights they have under the Illinois law.

What would you advise them if your boss would not find out?

Make sure you report your injury right away and go to the doctor immediately and tell them you were hurt at work.
This makes your case much smoother. You are also entitled to a settlement at the end of the case. If you are hurt make sure that you get all your medical treatment before you settle your case. Once you settle. It is all over and you have to pay for any future medical treatment.

Why do you think some people go into something so important as a work injury case without a lawyer?

They think that they have to pay a lot of money to get a lawyer to represent them.
They do not understand that the lawyers only get paid if they win, and the State limits how much the lawyer charges.
They do not understand that the insurance company has lawyers helping us every day.

Make sure that you do not make these mistakes in your Work Injury case. Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Social Security Disability- Behind the Scenes

This is a composite of different discussions and experiences I have had with Social Security staff, attorneys and people who have had sought disability.

This fictional interview takes poetic license to give you an idea of what happens at a Social Security Disability hearing site.

What is your job?

I give the claimants the computer disc with their disability information just before the hearing, and get their paperwork completed.
I also help the Judge gather the information for the hearing and do whatever else the Judge may need to help the hearing run smoothly.

How many claimants would estimate show up without a lawyer?

I would guess about 35 percent of the people do not have a lawyer.

What do you notice about claimants who do not have a lawyer?

They really do not understand what is going to happen at the hearing. I have to walk them through the paperwork and how to open the electronic file.
And they do not know what is going to happen in the hearing.

What have you seen in the hearing?

The people without a lawyer do not know how to explain to the Judge why they are disabled under our rules.
They have no idea how to respond to the vocational expert when they testify the person can do a job.

Why do you think some people go into something so important as a Social Security Disability hearing without a lawyer?

They think that they have to pay a lot of money to get a lawyer to represent them.
They do not understand that the lawyers only get paid if they win, and the government limits how much the lawyer charges.

Make sure that you are well prepared for your Social Security Disability case. Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.