Category Archives: Social Security Disability
Filing a Social Security Disability Claim
Generally, people know that they are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in certain circumstances. However, not many people are certain about how they should start this process or what it entails exactly. Filing the claim and getting approval of these benefits is a tenuous and complicated process. Having already experienced a traumatic… Read More »
Claims of Subjective Pain in Maryland Social Security Disability Cases
In the unpublished case Tanner v. Social Security Administration, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals considered a case in which the Social Security Administration had twice denied a claimant’s disability insurance benefits claim. The case arose when the claimant, a special education teacher, got in between two fighting students. Her shoulder, neck and upper… Read More »
Maryland District Court Remands SSDI Case Based On Newly Discovered Evidence
In a recent social security disability case, a Maryland District Court considered a situation in which the plaintiff, Kowana Chase, had been denied benefits. The plaintiff claimed disability from August 2005 through 2009 and filed her application in 2007. The disability claimed was the result of musculoskeletal connective tissue injury, status post cervical fusion,… Read More »
Duty of Hospital ER to Monitor Maryland Patients With Psychiatric Episodes
In a 2013 case a young man, previously diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, was admitted to the ER. He had previously been admitted voluntarily to numerous Maryland hospitals for psychiatric treatment, including the defendant hospital, several times. He was living with his mother and teenage sister at the time in question. His… Read More »
Can Lay Witnesses Testify at Your SSI Hearing?
An experienced Maryland attorney can put together lay witnesses to testify on your behalf should you be required to appear at an SSI hearing. Lay witnesses can help your case by testifying as to real and significant limitations you experienced at work. However, it is important to note that their testimony also has the… Read More »
Can An SSDI Judge Disregard Treating Physicians’ Opinions?
A recent federal case arose after a plaintiff brought a claim for social security disability benefits. He was injured in a car accident in 2004. At first he complained of neck and back pain, which seemed to improve with physical therapy. His pain worsened, however, when he went back to work. An MRI was… Read More »
What is a date last insured in a Social Security Disability claim?
When you work and pay Social Security taxes it is as though you are paying premiums on a disability policy through the Federal Government. For an individual that has worked and earned at least $4,640 per year in the 5 years prior to becoming disabled, that individual would have a date last insured of… Read More »
Judge Awards Social Security Disability Benefits Based on Use of a Cane
Claimant X, a 53-year old man, had limited education and transferable skills. He experienced constant right leg pain as a result of a gunshot wound several years earlier. Claimant X experienced leg pain with standing, walking, sitting and sleeping. Because of his insurance status, he was unable to afford pain medications or go to… Read More »
