Orthopedic Disability Attorneys

Orthopedic medical conditions generally affect a person’s muscles, bones, and joints. They range in severity from minor conditions of short duration that may cause discomfort and pain to severe, long-term, and disabling conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to engage in work activities.

When orthopedic issues interfere with a person’s ability to perform work activities, orthopedic disability benefits may be the solution to the financial struggles that inevitably ensue. Monthly payments and medical coverage through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs help, but qualifying for orthopedic disability is not easy.

The majority of applications submitted for disability benefits do not get approved during the initial review process. Challenging an unfavorable outcome through an appeal process can offer a solution, but you must navigate complex regulations and procedures. Depend on the accomplished orthopedic disability attorneys at the GCC Law Firm to skillfully guide you and your claim through the application review process and, if necessary, an appeal of an unfavorable decision.

The Social Security Administration offers two programs for filing disability claims for orthopedic issues that result in permanent and total disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSDI is for individuals who are disabled and have worked for employers or engaged in self-employment, paying into the Social Security system through their payroll taxes or self-employment taxes.

The SSI program does not require an employment history with payment of Social Security taxes. Instead, it bases eligibility on financial need, with limitations on the income and resources available to applicants who are blind or have a disability. An exception to the disability requirement for SSI eligibility exists for individuals 65 and older who may qualify for benefits without being blind or having a disability.

The standard used by the Social Security Administration to determine if an adult has a disability is the same for SSDI and SSI. It defines disability as being unable to do substantial gainful work activities because of a medically provable physical or mental impairment or a combination of impairments. The impairment or impairments must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months or be expected to result in death.

The Orthopedic disability attorneys at GCC Law are familiar with the laws and regulations governing disability benefit eligibility through the SSDI and SSI programs. They combine their knowledge with experience, compassion, and understanding to make them formidable advocates to fight for their clients. Learn more about what this means for you by contacting the disability professionals at GCC Law for a complimentary initial consultation.

Instead of letting a denial get you down, challenge it by filing an appeal. You have only 60 days from the date of denial to submit an appeal. Wait too long, and the right to challenge an unfavorable decision could be lost.

The process gives you four opportunities to turn a denial of benefits into an approval through the following levels of appeal:

• Reconsideration, where a new examiner reviews the claim.
• Hearing with an administrative law judge reviewing the claim and new evidence or witnesses presented by an attorney from GCC Law.
• Review by an Appeals Council with the power to approve benefits or return the claim to the hearing level for further consideration.
• Federal court review by filing a civil lawsuit in federal district court.

The GCC Law disability professionals review the outcome of the application review process with you to present the best options for challenging an outcome.

The resourceful team of orthopedic disability attorneys at GCC Law uses their skills, knowledge, and experience to give your claim for benefits the best chance of success. Find out more by contacting GCC Law for a complimentary initial consultation.