June 21, 2008

• Atlanta North Judge Gets Raw Deal from Social Security Administration

  Today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution printed a front page article entitled Ruling: Judge Slighted Duties.  The article reports the finding of an administrative law judge that Atlanta North ALJ Kelly Jennings can be removed from his position as an ALJ because he simultaneously served as an active duty lawyer for the Army. (…)

May 18, 2008

• How I Prepare Clients to Testify at a Social Security Disability Hearing

  In my law practice, I generally schedule a pre-hearing meeting with my clients prior to any hearing before a Social Security Administrative Law Judge.  The purpose of this pre-hearing meeting is for me to spell out the issues that will be addressed at the hearing, to the question and answer process with my client and to answer any questions that my client may have about the hearing process.   The pre-hearing meeting also gives me a sense of how my client might testify so that I can adjust my questions accordingly. (…)

March 12, 2008

• Why Do Physicians Charge to Write Medical Narrative Reports?

  Why is it a doctor will say they will help you to get disability because they believe you are disabled but then require extra money just to write an attorney a letter? (…)

March 4, 2008

• Last Minute Lawyer Substitution - Is This a Problem?

  This is completly frustrating! I wrote a dire need letter to my congressman and got an expidited hearing scheduled for March 5, 2008. (…)

December 10, 2007

• Does Trial Work Period Start as of Onset Date or After Expiration of 5 Month Waiting Period?

  I just got a fully favorable ruling from an ALJ, but the onset date has been amended. (…)

December 6, 2007

• Can a Rare Medical Condition Like Dupuytren's Disease Qualify Me for Disability?

  I recently responded to a question on Yahoo Answers about a disease called Dupuytren's Disease.  Dupuytren's is a disease of the connective tissue in the palm of the hand.  The tissue becomes rigid and immobile, causing the patient's hands to become fixed in a bent condition. (…)

November 30, 2007

• I Have Multiple Medical Problems - Should I Focus on All of Them? Just One?

  I have more than one disability, should I focus  just one or provide  info  on all to help my case? (…)

November 13, 2007

• Can I Work After My ALJ Hearing But Before A Decision is Issued?

  An attorney named John wrote me with the following question.  The email address he used was not valid so I decided to answer his question on my blog.  The question:

  I have a client who would like to know if he can work while waiting for his SSDI benefits to be approved? (…)

September 6, 2007

• Give Social Security Judges Clear Answers to Simple Questions

  Recently I tried a disability case that demonstrates the importance of testifying clearly about your activity limitations.  My case involved a gentleman with chronic  back pain.  During our pre-hearing meeting in my office two weeks prior to the hearing, I reviewed with my client the likely questions that would be asked by the judge at the hearing.  Among the questions that we discussed were questions about his capacity for walking, standing and sitting. (…)

August 10, 2007

• How Long Do I Have To Wait for My Hearing Decision?

  Dear Jonathan,
  Hello. I have a question concerning my court hearing please.   On May 17th, 2007, I went to my disability hearing. (…)

August 9, 2007

• Is Settlement Advance Funding Available to Social Security Disaiblity Claimants?

  With delays in Social Security disability cases reaching three years, it was inevitable that settlement advance funding would be adapted to include Social Security disability cases.  Yesterday, a company called AnyLawSuits.com purchased a site review from me through Reviewme.com, which is a marketplace that allows website owners to purchase blog reviews.  I thought that AnyLawSuits.com's concept is interesting because they say that any advance issued to a claimant would not have to be repaid if the claimant lost his disability case. (…)

May 9, 2007

• How Does a Judge Resolve Unclear or Conflicting Medical Evidence in a Disability Hearing?

  Mr. Ginsberg,
  I am a dwm 45, no children, no criminal record, no drug/alcohol problems. I have been diagnosed to have Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety, Schizoid Personality Disorders. (…)

March 27, 2007

• Perceptive Judge Overcomes Poorly Prepared Vocational Witness

  Yesterday, I appeared with a client at a video hearing with a judge from West Virginia.  This was actually our second hearing - the first hearing was held in August, 2006.  My client applied for benefits in July, 2003, which means that his case has been pending over 3 1/2 years.  During that time, my client and his wife had to file bankruptcy and he has exhausted all of his pension and 401(k) money. 
  My client worked for a large airline for almost 20 years and back in 2001, he began experiencing severe pain (neuropathy) in his feet and legs.  He subsequently fell and broke his left hip and he currently needs a knee replacement.  He is also severely depressed and basically spends his days trying to find a comfortable position. (…)

March 6, 2007

• Pre-hearing Conference to Expedite Hearing Decision

  I have a question. (…)

February 12, 2007

• Can a Claimant's Testimony at a Hearing Ruin a Case?

  Can something I say at my Disabilty hearing cause me to lose my case? (…)

January 31, 2007

• I've Been Waiting Two Years for a Hearing - Is this "Normal?"

  jonathan, i have had fibro., chronic severe depression for years withrecent dx. of recent dx of some short term memory loss. (…)