Illinois

What Happens Inside a Social Security Disability Hearing?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income ,

If you are applying for Social Security Disability you should know what happens when you have a hearing.

It is very important because the hearing determines whether you will be granted benefits for the remainder of your life or not.

The people in the room will be yourself, the Administrative Law Judge, a hearing monitor and a vocational consultant.

The Administrative Law Judge works for Social Security and spends her days listening to testimony of people who allege they are disabled, and then she writes hearing decisions explaining why the claimant is either disabled or not.

The Judge is the most important person in the room.

She asks you questions and questions the vocational consultant and makes the final decision.

The hearing monitor records all of the statements, questions and answers in the event there is an appeal.

The Administrative Law Judge will ask the vocational consultant questions near the end of the hearing.

The Judge will want to know if there any jobs available based on certain physical and mental limitations.

Most cases will result in two category of responses from the vocational consultant.

The first group of responses are that there certain jobs available based on the restrictions.

The second group of responses are that there are no jobs available based on the restrictions.

The Judge has to decide which group you fit in.

If there are no jobs available to you, then you will be found disabled.

The hearing lasts approximately one hour.

You must explain within those 60 minutes why you are not able to work.

Questions about how to make sure you win those 60 minutes with the Judge? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

3-year-old girl dies in Springfield apartment blaze – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Dirk May Children, Illinois, In the news, Law ,

A 3-year old child died from smoke inhalation early today in a small fire at an apartment building in Springfield, while the mother and two other children

Source: 3-year-old girl dies in Springfield apartment blaze – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Click above to read.

Tragic event.

In situation such as this you must prove that something about the apartment layout prevented the child from escaping. Or that required safety features were not provided. Or that a defective product caused the fire.

 

Union: Pontiac guard stabbed in head; prison on lockdown | Local News | pantagraph.com

Dirk May Illinois, In the news, Law, Lawyers, Workers Compensation ,

PONTIAC — Pontiac Correctional Center was on full lockdown Monday following a stabbing incident on Sunday that sent a correctional officer to the hospital.

Source: Union: Pontiac guard stabbed in head; prison on lockdown | Local News | pantagraph.com

Click above to read.

This is a clear workers’ compensation injury. The officer will be entitled to medical bills, off work pay and payment for the injury itself based on permanent damage. The fact that an inmate intentionally injured the officer is not a defense in a workers’ compensation case.

Preparation Tips for Your Social Security Disability Case

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Lawyers, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income ,

Ran across some tips regarding the President’s recent case before the United States Court of Appeals.

Let’s steal them and apply them to your Social Security Disability case.

Cannot hurt right?

First, put your best evidence forward in the record.

In Social Security disability cases this means make sure you go to your doctor early and often and get all your complaints in the medical records so that SSA will see them.

Do not forget to ask for tests such as xrays, MRIs, heart tests, EMGs, etc.

Second, be prepared.

In your disability case this means know the questions the Judge will ask and why.

I help you do this from day 1 and we think it about these questions starting with the application, the question packets SSA sends out to you, and continuing with preparation for the hearing before the Administrative Law Judge.

Third, do not give the Judge a reason to rule against you.

This means do not do something to make the Judge angry.

Judges are supposed to follow the rules and the law, but they are people too.

Make sure that you are polite and answer the questions respectfully and on point.

Why antagonize the person who holds your future in their hands?

Questions about the best way to win your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.