Cort
Phoenix Rising Founder
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- 7,390
Anyone know a good disability attorney?
-
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A good disability attorney
- Thread starter Cort
- Start date
Dr. Yes
Shame on You
- Messages
- 868
Cort,
Do you mean social security disability?
If so-- on another thread, Andrew mentioned that Binder & Binder helped him, and I have heard good things about Allsup. They are good at getting you SSD/SSDI, anyway; I don't know how well either group deals with issues relating to disability while you are already on it.
Do you mean social security disability?
If so-- on another thread, Andrew mentioned that Binder & Binder helped him, and I have heard good things about Allsup. They are good at getting you SSD/SSDI, anyway; I don't know how well either group deals with issues relating to disability while you are already on it.
JT1024
Senior Member
- Messages
- 582
- Location
- Massachusetts
Just a quick note...
Did you know Nancy Klimas wrote a book on Disability and CFS published back in 1998?
The title is: Disability And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical, Legal And Patient Perspectives (Hardcover)
Book is available online here: http://tinyurl.com/32j76ob
Sure would be great to have an updated version.
I had been googling for practice guidelines that Dr. Klimas might have put out on the net somewhere.. not enough time to investigate right now.
Later ~ JT
Did you know Nancy Klimas wrote a book on Disability and CFS published back in 1998?
The title is: Disability And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical, Legal And Patient Perspectives (Hardcover)
Book is available online here: http://tinyurl.com/32j76ob
Sure would be great to have an updated version.
I had been googling for practice guidelines that Dr. Klimas might have put out on the net somewhere.. not enough time to investigate right now.
Later ~ JT
Hi Cort.
Look for and ERISA lawyer oif you are looking for LTD benefits.
My lawyer worls with both LTD and socail security. His name is Mark D. DeBofsky. He is at Daley, DeBofsky and Bryant in Chicago. He was my attorney for LTD benefits (since I got turned down the first time). I applied for SSDI benefits separately (though he does SSDI as well). He was able to point me in the right direction to have tests done that would prove my case. Even six years later, when I was being reviewed for LTD, he pointed me in the right direction fot some tests that would prove my disability even though he didn't have any money on the line.
It's a hefty price because they work on contingency. Also the tests like PET scans and Neuropsych exams are also expensive. But if I could give one piece of advice, I would say spend what you can on the documentation of your illness. Maybe it might seem like a lot to get those tests now, but if you get SSDI or LTD benefits because of it, it becomes so much easier to live whith this disease.
I felt like upon his advice I made an investment in medical diagnostics so that I could receive the benefits that I deserved. We all know it is not easy. But I couldn't imagine what life would have been without the LTD benefits.
I would recommend him. http://www.ddbchicago.com/main.htm
I hope that helps.
Lynn
I have no financial interest in this company.
Look for and ERISA lawyer oif you are looking for LTD benefits.
My lawyer worls with both LTD and socail security. His name is Mark D. DeBofsky. He is at Daley, DeBofsky and Bryant in Chicago. He was my attorney for LTD benefits (since I got turned down the first time). I applied for SSDI benefits separately (though he does SSDI as well). He was able to point me in the right direction to have tests done that would prove my case. Even six years later, when I was being reviewed for LTD, he pointed me in the right direction fot some tests that would prove my disability even though he didn't have any money on the line.
It's a hefty price because they work on contingency. Also the tests like PET scans and Neuropsych exams are also expensive. But if I could give one piece of advice, I would say spend what you can on the documentation of your illness. Maybe it might seem like a lot to get those tests now, but if you get SSDI or LTD benefits because of it, it becomes so much easier to live whith this disease.
I felt like upon his advice I made an investment in medical diagnostics so that I could receive the benefits that I deserved. We all know it is not easy. But I couldn't imagine what life would have been without the LTD benefits.
I would recommend him. http://www.ddbchicago.com/main.htm
I hope that helps.
Lynn
I have no financial interest in this company.
starryeyes
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,558
- Location
- Bay Area, California
I suggest not using a Disability Attorney. They'll only make you do all the same work you have to do to get Disability anyway and then they'll get some of your money.
Disability Attorneys give great advice to follow to get your Disability; State or Private plus there are comments at ProHealth and they have a Disability Board there too:
http://www.prohealth.com/search/results.cfm
The most important thing to do if you're going to try to get Disability is to start keeping a journal where you log your symptoms and how they affect your ability to perform tasks.
The easiest way to keep a journal is to find a page that has the outline of a person that you can color-code your symptoms on each day or just trace a gingerbread man cookie cutter to make your own.
I applied in 2000 and there was a nice outline of a person made for PWC online that I was able to copy but it's since been taken off and I've not been able to find another one when I've looked.
Disability Attorneys give great advice to follow to get your Disability; State or Private plus there are comments at ProHealth and they have a Disability Board there too:
http://www.prohealth.com/search/results.cfm
The most important thing to do if you're going to try to get Disability is to start keeping a journal where you log your symptoms and how they affect your ability to perform tasks.
The easiest way to keep a journal is to find a page that has the outline of a person that you can color-code your symptoms on each day or just trace a gingerbread man cookie cutter to make your own.
I applied in 2000 and there was a nice outline of a person made for PWC online that I was able to copy but it's since been taken off and I've not been able to find another one when I've looked.
Cort
Phoenix Rising Founder
- Messages
- 7,390
thanks for your suggestions everyone. 
starryeyes
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,558
- Location
- Bay Area, California
This is another great source of information: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/
Actually, I would make copies of the CFS Symptom Chart on this page as many of the notes are already there for you and just circle and color in what's appropriate at the time you fill it out. I filled them out several times a week until my Disability was approved.
http://hubpages.com/hub/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-symptoms_
I used colored pens and made a Key and then made many copies that I stapled together. This made recording all these bothersome symptoms bearable. I find it really depressing to focus on them all the time but this method worked.
Another one is to copy off lists of symptoms and highlight all the ones you have every so often and date it. Bring all of these notes in to your doctor. They find them very helpful in helping you get Disability.
Good luck to you Cort if you're the one applying and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Actually, I would make copies of the CFS Symptom Chart on this page as many of the notes are already there for you and just circle and color in what's appropriate at the time you fill it out. I filled them out several times a week until my Disability was approved.
http://hubpages.com/hub/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-symptoms_
I used colored pens and made a Key and then made many copies that I stapled together. This made recording all these bothersome symptoms bearable. I find it really depressing to focus on them all the time but this method worked.
Another one is to copy off lists of symptoms and highlight all the ones you have every so often and date it. Bring all of these notes in to your doctor. They find them very helpful in helping you get Disability.
Good luck to you Cort if you're the one applying and feel free to ask any questions you have.