How We Evaluate Your Disability Case

Through the last twenty-five years, we at Shapiro & Siegel, P.C. have helped thousands of people with disabilities and firmly believe that those of you who come to us for help need and deserve the comfort and security of knowing whether the medical or psychological condition you present is the type of condition that would be considered a disability under Social Security law and entitle you to Social Security disability benefits.

Social Security Attorney Bernard Shapiro and Attorney John Siegel will personally speak with you and offer a reliable, professional evaluation of your disability case at no charge and at no obligation to you.

To help us determine whether you have a strong case to receive Social Security disability benefits, you need to provide us with accurate information about your medical condition, in your own words, by using our free Disability Case Evaluation Form or by calling toll-free (800) 336-7456.

On the basis of the submitted information, our experienced Social Security Attorneys Bernard L. Shapiro or John J. Siegel will begin their efforts by applying the following criteria:

• Are you working?
• Is your condition "severe"?
• Is your condition found in the Social Security's list of disabling conditions?
• Can you do the work you did previously?
• Can you do any other type of work?

On the basis of further discussions about your case - including verification through your medical records, discussions with your doctors, reports from employers and the like - Social Security Attorneys Bernard Shapiro and John Siegel will be able to offer you our final opinion and advise whether we feel that you have a strong case to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

If we determine that you do have a case, we will utilize our twenty five years of Social Security experience and knowledge to try to accomplish the best and speediest results for you. We are well experienced in dealing with the Social Security Administration, the staff, the attorneys and the judges. We have developed trust, credibility and cooperative working relationships with the Social Security Administration people that works to your benefit.

Whether you have come to us at the beginning of your case so that we are seeking disposition at an early stage or later on so that your case is involved in an appeal, we will do our very best to achieve the best possible result for you at the earliest possible date.

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Social Security requires that substantial medical evidence be produced in order to be entitled to disability benefits. However, many times a doctor or another government agency will advise a person that they are “disabled”, but Social Security denies their claim stating that the person is able to do some work. Moreover, Social Security evaluators many times overlook conditions or determine that medical or psychological conditions are not so severe or will not last twelve months or more.

At Shapiro & Siegel, P.C., we evaluate cases using the very same laws that Social Security uses. We apply the laws to all of your conditions, at the level of severity that is really supported by all of your medical records and all that you tell to us.

We ask many questions and we search for every factor that might have an effect on the disability decision. You will be directly involved in the discussion as we consider the following factors:

• Age
• Education
• Past Relevant Work Experience
• Medical Condition, physical, mental and in combination
• Medications and side effects of medications
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Function on a job on a sustained basis of eight hours a day, five days a week, week after week throughout the year
• Physical limitations in such areas as standing, walking, lifting, bending, climbing, ability to accommodate environment in areas such as temperature changes, fragrances, fumes, fatigue, need to take frequent breaks (toilet, rest, personal care, etc.) from work for any reason
• Mental or psychologically based problem such a limitations in ability to maintain attention, produce work at the speed required, work while taking medications, interact with supervisors, co-workers and the public, ability to follow instructions complete assigned jobs and accommodate changes in the workplace
• Other factors that may affect your individual case

If you have a question about Social Security Disability benefits or would like to receive a reliable opinion about the probability of success in your Social Security disability case, please submit our free Disability Case Evaluation Form or call us toll-free (800) 336-7456 for immediate assistance.

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