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I had a trial the other day that reminded me of an important point for almost every Illinois Workers’ Compensation case.

The history in the medical records can make or break your case.

The history is what the nurse or doctor writes in your records about what you tell them caused your injury.

In this particular case there was nothing in the records describing or explaining that the person was injured at work.

Sometimes you can get around this with an accident report, or an eyewitness testifying.

If you do not have a good history in the records, or an accident report, or an eyewitness, then you are in big trouble.

The person in question will most likely lose her case and not receive any money.

Too bad, because the medical bills do not get paid and there is no award for the surgery or time off work.

Is there anything you should not be concerned about in Social Security Disability?

My answer is no.

Most everything that happens can influence the decision maker, or Judge.

Should it? That is the topic for another day.

What I mean is your Attitude, your presentation, even being on time may make a difference in your Disability case.

Some examples:

Arguing with the Judge does not help your case. The Social Security Judge makes the decision in your case. She did not cause the delay in your case, or give you the painful condition you have.

Over dramatizing your condition, or toughing it out does not portray your true condition. Just tell it like it is.

Showing up late for your hearing is not smart. Social Security Judges run the hearings on a tight schedule. Some Judges will make you reschedule if you are late. Others may take it out on you in the hearing, or cut your hearing short without listening to all the evidence.

Lesson to remember is that most everything is important in your Social Security case.

The Administrative Law Judge will examine the records and ask you questions about what shows up in the records.

What you tell the doctor when you go to her office shows up in these records.

Things like this show up in the records:

Doing well;

Was able to mow the yard this week and did some roofing;

Drinks 6 beers every night.

Seems innocent, but the Administrative Law Judge may see this as evidence that you can work a full time job.

The lesson is to be careful in how you explain your condition to the doctor.

A full explanation may be that you are doing better than the last visit, however, after walking and standing for 10 minutes you need to lay down and rest due to pain.

Or you repaired a small patch on the roof, and then had to rest for the afternoon.

Or you mowed the front yard, and your son finished the back yard.