Noteboom The Law Firm

Fraudulent Cases Partially to Blame for SSA Issues

Receiving Social Security disability payments is perfectly within your rights, if you are disabled and cannot get a job because of your impairment. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration often needs to double check every claim for accuracy and honesty, mainly because there are people out there who defraud the system to get money they are not entitled to. Such people make it harder than ever for those who are genuinely disabled to get assistance.

One recent example is the case in which two Boston firefighters claimed to be permanently disabled as a result of on-the-job accidents. Former firefighter Albert Arroyo, who is 47, claimed to be disabled after he fell while walking at a firehouse. However, his so-called injuries did not stop him from placing eighth in a bodybuilding competition less than two months later. Though his lawyer claimed that the training was good for his back, the SSA still frowned on the fact that he had not disclosed this strenuous activity in his forms.

Sixty-five-year-old James Famolare also claimed to be hurt, only after moving boxes while filling in for another employee. However, he went to several doctors until he could find one to say that he was disabled, and any witnesses he had are now retracting their statements. Both Famalore and Arroyo could get 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for every count against them.

According to The Boston Globe, as of 2008, the city had about twice the amount of disability cases as other comparable cities. This was a huge increase, and it mostly involved the Boston firefighters. Compounding the issue is the large amount of time it takes the SSA to process applications for disability. In many cases, this period of time let Boston firefighters collect their usual salary without paying taxes on it.

Likely, the very reason that the SSA takes so long to get through disability applications is fraudulent or suspicious cases like these. Unfortunately, the existence of such cases can hurt those who are permanently disabled. Additionally, those who pay taxes suffer when fraud is committed, as the money is going toward perfectly able Americans instead of the ones we need to help.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.