Tuesday, June 29, 2021

5 Reasons to Speak with a Social Security Disability Attorney

Being diagnosed with a disabling condition can be physically and emotionally draining. Unfortunately for many people, it can also be financially draining as well. An individual may lose the ability to work and find themselves unsure how to support themselves. The good news is there are government programs designed as social safety nets for these people. Unfortunately, the application process for these programs can be both confusing and challenging.

If a medical condition is impacting your quality of life and ability to work, you may be eligible to apply for some forms of Social Security benefits. But, which program is right for you, and how do you successfully attempt to navigate the application system? You might be wondering, “Do you need a lawyer for Social Security disability?” An experienced Mississippi Social Security disability lawyer can be of critical assistance during this time and may help you avoid unnecessary delays and denials.

Take a look at the top five reasons a disability attorney can help you. If you have more questions, contact the legal team at Derek L. Hall, P.C. today. We offer a free case review to help get you started.

Receive a Preliminary Evaluation to Check If You Qualify for Benefits

Sometimes it can be confusing to sort through which benefit options you may qualify for. There are Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. Both of these benefits have stringent application requirements and, depending on your income level and work history, you may be able to apply for one or both programs.

Applying for the wrong benefits program can waste your valuable time and result in your application being denied. An experienced Social Security disability attorney can sit down with you and review your situation. Based on the information you provide, an attorney can then determine which benefit programs you qualify for, taking the guesswork out of the process.

 Get Help with Your Initial Social Security Application

Applying for Social Security benefits can be challenging. The application process itself is lengthy, and there are mounds of medical records and other important documentation that need to be submitted to substantiate your benefits claim. Gathering these records can be tedious and frustrating, not to mention the time it takes to fill out the comprehensive application itself. Your initial request for benefits is based on the information you include in and with your application, so it’s essential that you carefully complete it.

Turning to a seasoned Social Security disability attorney is one way to cut down on your stress levels and get help filing your initial application. An attorney who has worked extensively in this field knows what the government is looking for in terms of medical documentation. An attorney can also review your application for oversights and mistakes and check for accuracy. Sometimes even the smallest error or missing detail can result in an application being denied. Having an attorney to help you file an initial claim can increase your odds of filing a successful application.

Update the SSA of Any Changes and with Medical Records

When you have a serious medical condition, there can be good days and bad days. When there are changes in your treatment plan or your medical condition begins to deteriorate, that is important information that needs to be passed on to the Social Security Administration. However, reaching out to the Administration to give them this timely and necessary information can be difficult.

A Social Security disability lawyer can pass along vital medical information to the Social Security Administration on your behalf, giving you peace of mind that it has all the information they need to make a decision about your claim. If you are already receiving benefits, an attorney can pass along your medical information to help make sure that you continue to receive the money you need.

Ensure You File Your Appeal Within the Deadline

It is an unfortunate reality for many people, but a lot of initial Social Security benefit applications are denied. This can be frustrating and result in individuals who need the benefits giving up on their claim. However, an attorney may be able to help you file an appeal and fight for your rights.

An appeal can be complicated as there are several different levels to the process. This process can also be daunting because of the strict time limits and deadlines. An experienced attorney can keep things on track.

Receive Representation at Your Hearing

The appeals process may put you in front of an Administrative Law Judge. It helps to have an attorney by your side to strengthen your claim with evidence and support you through the appeals process. Your SSD attorney can prepare you for what is ahead and the questions that a judge may ask you about your claim.

A disability benefits lawyer can also help present your case to the judge in a compelling and informative manner. It can be daunting appearing before a judge, even when you are feeling your best. This process can be stressful and intimidating at a time where you may be feeling ill and particularly vulnerable. Your attorney is a knowledgeable and solid presence that you can rely on during the hearing process.

How an SSD Attorney Can Help

While this may be your first time filing a benefits application, it is not a first for a seasoned disability benefits lawyer. A skilled attorney has been through this process countless times, which means they understand what the government is looking for when it comes to a complete and compelling application.

An experienced disability benefits attorney also knows which legal arguments to make and what evidence to present if a claim is denied and an applicant has to appear for an appeal hearing. Overall, a lawyer is familiar with the entire process from start to finish. That means they understand how to help you navigate the system and may be able to help you achieve a positive result more efficiently for your situation.

Contact a Mississippi Social Security Disability Attorney Today

The Social Security system is in place to help disabled individuals collect the money they need to make ends meet. Too often, because of the complicated process and frequent denials, people do not seek the benefits they deserve or give up after their first denial. A knowledgeable Mississippi lawyer for Social Security disability can help guide you through the system. We can help you compile a thorough and detailed application or appeal.

If you need more information on how a skilled Social Security disability lawyer can help you, contact Derek L. Hall, P.C. today.

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Friday, June 11, 2021

What Damages Can I Receive in a Product Liability Claim?

When you purchase a product, you assume that the manufacturer has ensured it is free of any defects and is designed safely. But when manufacturers put faulty or dangerous products on the market, innocent consumers may be seriously harmed.

Did a dangerous or defective product hurt you? You may be entitled to pursue compensation from the manufacturer or other liable parties through a product liability claim. But what exactly can you recover money for? At Derek L. Hall, P.C., we’ve got answers to all of your questions.

Our Mississippi product liability lawyers fight for maximum compensation and justice for people who’ve been hurt by unsafe consumer products. Jackson attorney Derek Hall has 25 years of experience and a track record of success in obtaining top-dollar settlements and verdicts from large corporations and their insurers. You can count on us to advocate fiercely on your behalf.

Cases involving dangerous products are incredibly complex because it means going up against high-powered companies backed by corporate attorneys. The lawyers at Derek L. Hall, P.C., won’t back down and know what it takes to build cases that stand up to even the toughest challenges. If a defective product hurt you, call or contact us for a free case evaluation.

Compensatory Damages

If you succeed in a product liability claim, you will — at a minimum — obtain recovery of compensatory damages. This is money for your financial losses stemming from your exposure to a defective or dangerous product.

Compensatory damages are intended to restore an injured victim to their condition prior to their injury. They are typically divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages, sometimes called “special damages,” include specific financial losses that a person incurs after being injured by a defective or dangerous product. Economic damages can usually be calculated by referencing documents and other financial information, such as bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs, and income statements. For future economic damages, injured victims may rely on testimony from medical, vocational, and financial experts to provide a reliable estimation of future losses.

Examples of economic damages you may recover in a product liability claim include:

  • Costs of medical treatment, including hospital bills, doctors’ appointments, surgeries, other medical procedures, physical/occupational therapy prescriptions, and medical or mobility equipment
  • Costs of long-term care necessary after an accident, including home health services, residential care, or alterations to one’s residence (such as ramps or grab handles) to accommodate long-term disabilities
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity, including lost expected earnings and loss of employment benefits such as health insurance or pensions
  • Compensation for property damaged or destroyed by the defective product

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, also known as “general damages,” are intended to compensate an injured victim for intangible losses they suffered due to their injuries. Unlike economic damages, which are quantifiable with objective facts and figures, non-economic damages are considered more subjective.

Rather than relying on bills or pay stubs, proving the amount of non-economic damages you may be entitled to in a product liability claim will often rely on witness testimony, including your own testimony, along with statements from family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. These statements will focus on how the accident and injuries have impacted your life. Testimony may also be included from your treating physicians and medical and vocational experts to explain the limitations that your injuries will impose on your life.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering, or the physical pain and emotional distress you experience due to your injuries and subsequent medical treatment.
  • Lost quality or enjoyment of life, which can result from embarrassment, humiliation, depression, or anxiety brought about due to physical disabilities, disfigurement, or scarring as a result of your injuries. Lost quality of life can also result from a reduction in your life expectancy due to your injuries.
  • Loss of consortium/companionship, which compensates your spouse and/or close family members for the loss of your emotional support, affection, guidance, and care.

Product Liability — Punitive Damages

Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to provide an injured victim money for losses they have incurred due to their injuries, punitive damages are awarded in product liability lawsuits to punish a manufacturer or other liable party for conduct that is considered particularly egregious or shocking by society’s standards. Punitive damages are also intended to serve as a warning against others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

Punitive damages are rarely awarded in product liability claims. In most cases, juries and courts award punitive damages after finding that a manufacturer knew their product was dangerous, failed to recall the product, or even continued to market and sell the product, hiding evidence of its threat to public safety.

Contact a Product Liability Lawyer Today

If a dangerous or defective product has injured you, you deserve to seek financial compensation from the companies that put those harmful products on the market. But it’s important to take swift action, as corporations will act fast to protect themselves from any type of legal action.

Contact a product liability lawyer from Derek L. Hall, P.C. today for a free consultation on what types of damages may be available in your case. Call or fill out our online contact form right away to get started.

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