when should i hire lawyer for epelepsy disability case

by Larue Stanton 6 min read

Should I hire a lawyer for my disability claim?

May 05, 2021 · The only way to get it done quicker is to hire an attorney and stop trying to do it yourself. If you are denied at this level, you can ask the Appeals Council to consider and rule on your case. About 8 percent of SSDI claims between 2009 and 2018 were approved during a hearing with an administrative law judge or the Appeals Council.

What do Social Security disability lawyers do?

Sep 02, 2020 · You may be wondering when the right time is to hire a lawyer for your long term disability case. When your doctor told you to stop working, you stopped working. ... Well, the best time to hire a lawyer is usually when your claim has been denied. Some lawyers may tell you that they want to be involved at the very beginning even before you file ...

When can an employer ask an employee about epilepsy?

Why You Should Hire A Social Security Disability Attorney; Attorney Fees & Costs; Florida Workers’ Compensation; ... Not all cases of epilepsy are severe enough to make you eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, but Nancy Cavey has successfully represented many SSA applicants with epilepsy. ... If you no longer can work or your ...

Do I have to disclose my epilepsy when applying for disability?

Disability applicants who hire an attorney or advocate to handle their Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability claim are more likely to be approved than those who don't. The reasons for this are many, and knowing them may help you decide if hiring a legal representative is the right choice for you.

How do you win a disability case for epilepsy?

In order to win your case, you have to meet the disability listing for a seizure disorder and prove the condition interferes with your daily activities—including your ability to earn a living.

How much do epileptics get for disability?

Patients who have controlled seizure disorders can expect to spend about $2,000 per year while those with uncontrolled disorders can pay out as much as $10,000 annually.

Is epilepsy considered a permanent disability?

Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.

How long does it take to get disability for epilepsy?

Applying for Disability Benefits for Epilepsy It will likely take three to six months for the SSA to determine whether you are eligible for disability benefits.

What type of seizures qualify for disability?

And you must also have: generalized tonic-clonic seizures that occur at least once every other month for four consecutive months, or. dyscognitive seizures that occur at least once every other week for three consecutive months.

What benefits can I get for epilepsy?

The federal government offers financial assistance and health insurance to people with epilepsy who qualify. The two primary financial assistance programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Is epilepsy a hidden disability?

Epilepsy is sometimes described as a hidden disability because it is not usually obvious that someone has the condition unless they have a seizure. Whether you feel that you have a disability or not, you are protected by the Equality Act if your epilepsy affects you in this way.Feb 23, 2020

Should I disclose my epilepsy to my employer?

No. The ADA does not require applicants to voluntarily disclose that they have epilepsy or another disability unless they will need a reasonable accommodation for the application process (for example, permission to bring a service animal to an interview).May 15, 2013

What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?

If you have seizures, you may not be able to do jobs that risk your safety or the safety of other people. These include: jobs that involve driving. working at heights, near open water or fire.Feb 23, 2020

Is epilepsy a cognitive disability?

Neurocognitive impairment is frequent in epilepsy patients. Causes are multiple, and may be influenced by several factors including the epilepsy syndrome. Most cognitive complaints in adult patients are mental slowness, memory difficulties and attention deficits.

What is my epilepsy team?

MyEpilepsyTeam is the social network for people with epilepsy and their loved ones. More than 91,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.

How long does it take to get disability?

Processing an application for disability benefits takes an average of three to five months. It can take even longer to get approved. Most people are not approved the first time they apply. From 2009 through 2018, only 21 percent of applicants were approved on their first attempt.

How long after you become disabled can you get Medicare?

If you are approved, you can receive benefits in the sixth month following your disability designation. You will then be eligible for Medicare 24 months after you became disabled.

How much do you have to earn to qualify for disability?

In determining your eligibility for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will evaluate the following criteria: You are likely ineligible for benefits if you earn $1,260 or more a month. If you earn less, you may still be eligible; the amount you receive may be reduced.

Do people with epilepsy need to apply for disability?

People with epilepsy face considerable paperwork when applying for disability benefits . The Social Security Administration offers a checklist of necessary application information. Below is a summary of what you’ll need to provide.

Do you have to have a work history to get SSI?

SSI gives disability benefits to those who are considered low-income; a work history is not a requirement. Once you are approved, you should start to receive benefits in the next month. You may also be eligible for SSI back payments if you became disabled prior your approval. In most states, if you qualify for SSI, ...

Can you get disability if you have epilepsy?

When people with epilepsy can no longer work, many in the United States seek Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits help replace lost income when people with epilepsy have to leave their jobs.

When does an employer ask for a disability?

Generally, an employer may ask disability-related questions or require an employee to have a medical examination when it knows about a particular employee's medical condition, has observed performance problems, and reasonably believes that the problems are related to the medical condition.

How long does it take for an EEOC to file a lawsuit?

If the EEOC finds no discrimination, or if an attempt to resolve the charge fails and the EEOC decides not to file suit, it will issue a notice of a "right to sue," which gives the charging party 90 days to file a court action.

What is reasonable accommodation?

The ADA requires employers to provide adjustments or modifications -- called reasonable accommodations -- to enable applicants and employees with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities unless doing so would be an undue hardship (that is, a significant difficulty or expense). Accommodations vary depending on the needs of the individual with a disability. Not all employees with epilepsy will need an accommodation or require the same accommodations, and most of the accommodations a person with epilepsy might need will involve little or no cost. An employer must provide a reasonable accommodation that is needed because of the epilepsy itself, the effects of medication, or both. For example, an employer may have to accommodate an employee who is unable to work while undergoing diagnostic tests to determine the reason for her seizures or because of the side effects of medication. An employer, however, has no obligation to monitor an employee's medical treatment or to make sure she is getting enough rest or taking medication as prescribed.

What is epilepsy disorder?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. It is also called a seizure disorder. 4 A seizure happens when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an involuntary change in body movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behavior. People diagnosed with epilepsy have had at least two seizures and may have had more than one type of seizure. A seizure can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some individuals recover immediately from a seizure, while others may be dazed and sleepy for a period of time following a seizure. The severity of epilepsy and the type of seizure vary from person to person. 5

What are the stages of an ADA medical exam?

Title I of the ADA limits an employer's ability to ask questions related to epilepsy and other disabilities and to conduct medical examinations at three stages: pre-offer, post-offer, and during employment.

How long does it take to return from epilepsy?

Although epilepsy often can be successfully controlled, some individuals may be need to take extended leave because of the frequency or severity of their seizures and may be able to provide only an approximate date of return (for example, "in six to eight weeks," "in about three months").

What is considered a disability?

Individuals with disabilities include those who have impairments that substantially limit a major life activity, have a record (or history) of a substantially limiting impairment, or are regarded as having a disability. 1.

What is disability lawyer?

Disability lawyers are trained to counter negative testimony presented by the vocational expert and to elicit supportive opinions. This skill requires an understanding of the complex way in which different jobs, and the skills needed to do them, are categorized.

Why don't doctors help with disability?

A supportive opinion from your doctor (s) is vital to winning a disability claim. However, doctors are sometimes unwilling to help disability applicants. There are many different reasons why doctors may not want to help; for example, a doctor may be unsure about how the disability process works or may be too busy to fill out forms. Some doctors may have personal opinions about Social Security benefits that make them unwilling to help. Also, a doctor simply may not believe the applicant is disabled.

What are the bad facts about disability?

Sometimes "bad facts" come in the form of a doctor's opinion that states that the applicant is not disabled or that the applicant is exaggerating symptoms. Other times, an applicant has not seen a doctor for many years or has been inconsistent with following a treatment plan, either of which can hurt the applicant's chances. Regardless of the specifics of the "bad facts," disability attorneys are often able to confront and explain the issues to the ALJ in ways that minimize damage to the applicant's case.

Why are lawyers more likely to win on appeal?

Applicants with lawyers are more likely to win on appeal is because most disability attorneys have extensive experience with the appeal hearing process. This experience gives attorneys the specialized skills needed to win your appeal. Experienced disability attorneys have also learned to work through the process correctly so there are as few additional difficulties as possible.

Why is it important to ask questions to an attorney?

This is important because if there are any areas in the applicant's testimony that weaken the case, the attorney is trained to spot the problem and to use further questioning to correct or clarify the applicant's testimony.

What does it mean when an attorney decides on the best argument?

Once the attorney has decided on the best argument, he or she can determine how to meet the requirements of the rules and regulations using the facts of the case. This also means that an attorney can anticipate weaknesses in a case and decide how best to manage them.

Can I hire an attorney for disability?

Disability applicants who hire an attorney or advocate to handle their Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability claim are more likely to be approved than those who don't. The reasons for this are many, and knowing them may help you decide if hiring a legal representative is the right choice for you.

Why are disability attorneys more likely to win?

Attorneys with disability claim experience are more likely to win because they have the skills needed to win a case or an appeal. They have learned how to work through the entire disability claim process correctly to avoid difficulties or bumps in the road.

Why don't doctors help with disability?

Many times doctors do not want to help disability applicants because they are not sure how the disability process works, or they don’t want to help, or they might be too busy to fill out forms.

Can disability claims be denied?

With so many disability claims being denied, it’s no surprise that filing disability claims can be challenging. Lawyers handling these types of claims are more likely to have claims approved than someone filing on their own.

Should I hire a lawyer for disability?

Now that you know more about the benefits of hiring a lawyer for disability claims, you can make an informed decision about whether you need one or not. Chances are that having a lawyer in your corner will help you in more ways than one, especially when you are not familiar with the disability laws or are not sure how to navigate the court system.

The Waiting Game

Filing for Social Security disability benefits is a three-step process:

Why Wait?

Why will a hearing change anything when you’ve already been rejected twice? There are a few reasons to stay positive through the rejections and press on toward the hearing: