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It may seem like a strange question. But does your attitude make a difference in your work injury claim?

If you fail to report your injury shortly after your work accident, and you do not explain how you were injured at work to your doctor, and you delay seeking medical treatment, then it will not make any difference whether your are angry, bitter or the most pleasant person to be around.

However, if you report your injury to your supervisor and complete an accident report, and explain how you were injured to the doctor, and comply with all the treatment the doctor prescribes for you and let the doctor know your ongoing problems, then your attitude may make a big difference.

Let me explain.

A likeable person may get the benefit of the doubt from the supervisor.

Just as a doctor may find someone who is easy to get along with more believable.

On the other hand, we have all had experiences with angry, bitter people with whom we do not want to go out of our way to help.

The same holds true if you have to testify in court. Combative witnesses do not usually earn the judge’s respect.

I am not suggesting that you become someone you are not, or that you let people run over you. However, it is worth thinking about the way you present yourself before the people involved in the Workers’ Compensation system and how they may effect your case.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Your medical doctor can make or break your Social Security Disability case.

Some doctors will not fill out forms or write letters explaining your disability and how it limits you.

This does not mean you will lose your case if the doctor will not do these things.

However, if your doctor puts in your records that she questions your truthfulness or the extent of your limitations then you most likely will lose your disability case.

In other words, if the doctor does not believe you why should the Social Security Judge believe you are disabled.

Believe me, this does happen. I have seen records in which the doctor questions whether the patient can work, or if the patient is as bad off as they claim.

What can you do to avoid this?

Develop a working relationship with your doctor.

You do not have to tell them you are seeking disability or that you cannot work.

Some doctors misunderstand the process and what disability means. So you do not have to ask them to agree with you regarding the ultimate conclusion that you are disabled.

You need to make consistent appointments.

Follow treatment recommendations.

You also need to explain your symptoms, how often it happens, how long it lasts, and what you need to do to deal with the symptoms.

Be consistent in your explanations.

Do not expect the doctor to work on your behalf to get disability. Some doctors will do this but it is not the end of your case if they do not. The only thing you really need is detailed medical records explaining your conditions and limitations.

Above all be respectful to the doctor. This will go along way to laying the ground work for the type of medical records that will help your case.

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

There are some Illinois Workers' Compensation tips that are basic, straight forward, and will really help your case.

One of the most important things you can do is fill out an accident report as soon as possible after the injury. Give this to the supervisor and make a copy for yourself.

After this you should see your doctor right away. Take a copy of your accident report with you, and tell your doctor how you were injured and what body parts were injured.

These simple steps will insure that there is no question about that you were injured at work, how were injured, and what body parts were injured.

The doctor will also have a clear idea about how your conditions are related to your work injury.

This will make it clear to the Workers' Compensation insurance company that you have a strong case and your medical bills should be paid, your time off work should be paid, and that you are entitled to a settlement.

Of course if you do not complete an accident report you can still win your case with witnesses or a strong statement of accident given at the hospital, but why make things difficult on your self?

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Applying for Social Security Disability involves filling out a number of forms, both paper and online.

It also involves talking with Social Security employees who take notes and put them in your file.

The Social Security Judges will often look at these notes and reports and use them in making a decision in your case.

You may not understand why your answers are important or what the Judge is looking for, but your responses are very important.

The most important questions focus on the type of job you had and what you did at work all day long, and how your conditions limit your activities.

Make sure that you are very clear about what you did at work in the last 15 years.

You must make sure that Social Security understands if your work involved lifting throughout the day, or if it involved standing and walking most of the day, or if you were required to use your hands all day long.

If someone calls you from Social Security and asks about your work activities you should offer to provide them a written job description that you prepare. This makes sure that there is no misunderstanding.

Do not complete the written questions from Social Security until an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer has had a chance to review them with you.

I have seen Social Security employee notes and activities of daily living reports that are very damaging to a Claimant because of some misunderstanding about what Social Security is asking.

Questions about your disability claim? Feel free to call to Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.