Illinois

What if You Lose Your Social Security Disability Case?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Your questions

Social Security Disability cases take a long time to get to hearing so if you lose it is very disappointing.

However, there is still hope.

You have the option to appeal the case to the Appeals Council. The Council acts as an appellate court to review the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.

Beyond the Appeals Council you can appeal to Federal Court. Not many cases go this far because it is difficult to win at the Federal level, but depending on the facts of your case it may be possible.

The other option is to reapply.

The surprising thing is that once you reapply it seems as if a new set of eyes at Social Security looks at the case and there are a number of cases that are approved.

The bottom line is that you should not give up.

Keep trying because you never know what will happen.

The only other option is to try to return to work and see what you can do.

I have had clients who have returned to work and worked as long as they could and then reapplied.

The advantage to this approach is that it builds up your benefit payments, and once you can no longer work it shows a good faith attempt to Social Security.

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

Do Not Believe Everything You Hear

Dirk May Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Insurance, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

Illinois Workers’ Compensation laws may be subject to change soon if the new Governor has his way.

This has emboldened some insurance companies to tell injured workers that they no longer have to pay their bills or for their time off work.

They sense that they have nothing to lose if the injured worker believes them and drops their claim.

You should check with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer to make sure that all your rights are being protected.

Do not let an insurance company tell you what they are going to do.

You must know what you are entitled to pursuant to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation law and how to make sure that you get it.

A Workers’ Compensation lawyer does not charge anything unless he can get money for you.

Questions about how to fight the insurance companies? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security Disability- Behind the Scenes

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

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.

What Kind of Work Comp Lawyer Do You Need?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Lawyers, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

Workers’ Compensation in Illinois can be complicated so make sure your lawyer is helping you as much as possible.

If you need your lawyer to come see you in the hospital or at your home make sure that you ask the lawyer.

Your lawyer should help you file your application. You want to have all the advice and input necessary before you provide any information to your employer and the Work Comp insurance company.

When you get any paperwork from the insurance company make sure you call your attorney. When you get a call from the Work Comp adjuster be sure to call your attorney. Any information you provide the insurance company may be used against you later in the case.

If you are scheduled for an IME doctor’s appointment call your lawyer right away to discuss what will happen.

Any discussion of settlement should be reviewed carefully with your lawyer. Once you sign the paperwork it is too late.

If you reach the trial stage you should go over and update all medical information with your lawyer before the hearing.

Getting ready for the trial and discussing the questions that will be asked at the hearing is crucial.

Only an experienced Work Comp attorney can prepare you for the questions the insurance company will ask at the hearing, and explain what you need to prove to win your case.

Finally, if you need a ride to get to the hearing then your attorney should be able to help if you cannot get there with family or friends.

Questions about your Workers’ Compensation case? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation- Where Do I Start?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

Workers’ Compensation is a complicated law so you must know what to expect and what to do next.

The first thing you must do is report your accident to your employer and complete an accident report. Make copies of everything.

Next you should go to the doctor and explain that your injuries are work related.

You should let the Work Comp insurance company know what is going on with your medical treatment and give them any off work slips you have. You should also give off work slips to your employer.

When your medical treatment is finished you should let the insurance company know and ask them for a list of medical bills paid. You should confirm with your doctors that all medical bills are paid.

Finally, you are entitled to a settlement at the end of the case.

Some insurance companies will not tell you about the settlement or offer you a low amount.

Make sure that you check with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation lawyer to find out if you are getting a fair settlement.

It does not cost you anything to use a Work Comp attorney until the end of the case. All fees are contingent on you winning your case. Fees are limited to 20 percent of the recovery.

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