Noteboom The Law Firm

A Qualified Lawyer Can Work Wonders for Your Disability Case

If you are denied Social Security disability benefits, hiring an attorney to represent you during the appeals process may yield tremendous results. Considering other cases in which disabled people were unfairly denied their checks can show why representation by an experienced lawyer is important.

One example is the case in which a former Walmart manager was denied disability benefits because the insurance company involved videotaped him for two months. Though the undercover investigation yielded very little incriminating evidence, using a camera to record claimants can be a common way to intimidate them into dropping the claim. Fortunately, this case ended with the man getting his money, but not without months of effort on the part of he and his lawyer.

The man was seriously injured twice, the second of which left him with pain around his neck, shoulders, back, and legs. The symptoms include headaches and inability to walk, stand, or even sit for long. These are just a few of the issues he now experiences daily as a result of falling on the job.

Initially, he applied for disability insurance benefits through the Hartford Insurance company, which approved him. He was also approved for Social Security disability checks, which prompted Hartford to begin subtracting his disability payments from the checks they sent him. During this time, officials at Hartford repeatedly tried to take away all his benefits, claiming that he could indeed work. They always ended up reinstating them after the man's doctors confirmed his inability to work.

Upon annual review of his case, Hartford Insurance inexplicably began monitoring him by video camera, claiming that they would likely not settle his claim because he probably could not be rehabilitated. Though they mainly filmed him walking slowly and painfully a few times, as well as sitting often, they claimed that he could work. They ended his benefits, leaving he and his family financially destitute.

Fortunately, his lawyers stated that the video was irrelevant, and was mostly a scare tactic to bully him into dropping the claim. He finally received his rightful benefits, and a class action lawsuit against the insurance company is being considered. Sadly, it is likely that if the victim had not retained qualified legal representation, he would still not have recovered the compensation he was due.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.