At Cavey and Barrett we routinely see mistakes that are made by Social Security Disability applicants on their application. It is important to disregard any comments you make that “I can’t work”, “No one will hiring me”. Rather, they are interested in what’s called your functional limitations. What are functional limitations:

1. Can you sit, can you stand, can you bend, can you twist, can you walk, do you have to alternate positions?  
2. If so, how often long can you do any of these activities?
3. Will they interfere with your ability to function? If so, give examples.

The Social Security Administration wants proof that you have difficulty functioning that eliminates your ability to do the lightest job that you’ve had in the last fifteen years or limits your ability to work in a job that exists in the national economy.

It’s therefore, cruicial that you fill out all your Social Security Disability forms accurately.

Tampa Bay Social Security Disability attorney, Sharon Barrett, worked for the Social Security Administration as a staff attorney for many years. She reviewed many inaccurate or incomplete Social Security Disability applications whose claims have been denied. Those denials could have been prevented if the Social Security Disability examiner had been given the right information about functional limitations so that they could make a quick and accurate decision on the Social Security Disability claim.

For more information on the Social Security Disability claims process, and completing your initial application, you can order Cavey and Barrett’s free no obligation guide Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted September 02nd 2010 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Social Security Disability law is complicated and time consuming. However, having an Social Security Disability attorney on your side, such as Sharon Barrett, she knows that there are ten things that should be done in every Social Security Disability claim:

1. Personally meet to discuss your Social Security Disability claim.
2. Explain the Social Security Disability claims process and explain a strategy that should be implemented to win your claim.
3. Get a copy of your Social Security file from the Social Security Administration.
4. Get a copy of your medical records.
5. Assess your claim and determine whether or not it will meet Social Security Disability rules.
6. File all necessary papers with the Social Security Administration.
7. Timely appeal any denial of your claim.
8. Timely request a hearing if your claim is denied after a Request for Reconsideration.
9. Prepare a comprehensive Memorandum of Law with medical documentation supporting your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.

10.  Prepare you for a hearing in front of the administrative law judge and make sure that your case is presented in the best light possible.

If your lawyer doesn’t understand the Social Security Disability claims process, or hasn’t taken these steps in handling your Social Security Disability claim, you may not have the right attorney to help you in your Social Security Disability claim.

Sharon Barrett, a former Social Security Disability staff attorney in the Tampa Bay office, knows what it takes to create a winning Social Security Disability claim. Give us a call today or fill out the contact form on the contact page to get in touch with us right away about your disability needs.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted August 31st 2010 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

You may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits if you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the Social Security Disability process can be overwhelming. Many Social Security Disability applicants who have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue make a number of mistakes in their claims. These include:

1. Failing to be aware of Social Security ruling 99-2p.

This ruling acknowledges that chronic fatigue syndrome is a medically determinable impairment. It describes the various findings that can establish the diagnosis. You should get a copy of this rule and review your medical records to make sure that your clinical notes and reports of your doctor describe the various findings that can establish the diagnosis.

2. Failing to obtain and review your medical records can be fatal to your claim. The focus in a Fibromyalgia claim is on the medical evidence- the treating physician’s clinical findings, office notes and reports of your condition.

You have to supply objective proof of the existence of the disease and the severity of your symptoms.

3. Failing to develop the medical and lay evidence and their impact on your ability to perform work activity. Many Social Security Disability applicants forget that the focus really is on function.

You doctor’s notes should reflect any complaints you have about fatigue, pain, problems with concentration and your inability to perform routine daily activities like housework, shopping or visiting family or friends.

You can avoid making these common mistakes in your fibromyalgia Social Security Disability claim by understanding the Social Security Disability claims process and working with an experienced chronic fatigue | fibromyalgia disability attorney such as Sharon Barrett who represents applicants in the Kenneth City, Pinellas Park, St. Pete Beach area. Use the contact form to contact us today to help with your claim!

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted July 15th 2010 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Without a doubt, you can improve your chances of winning at the disability hearing stage by finding a qualified Social Security Disability attorney, such as Sharon Barrett, who is based in Tampa/St. Petersburg.
Sharon will assist you in obtaining your medical records, getting a Residual Functional Capacity sheet completed by your physician, and submitting this documentation to the judge who will be hearing your Social Security Disability case.

Social Security lawyer Sharon Barrett will also assist you in preparing for your Social Security Disability hearing.

Posted March 01st 2009 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process,Getting a Lawyer | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

What is another mistake you can make? After you file your claim for Social Security Disability don’t stop getting medical care. Some people will stop seeing a doctor because the doctor is still providing the same treatment or they are not getting better. This a big mistake!

You most likely do need treatment.

As you know medical evidence is the key to winning your case. No medical evidence, no chance of winning! Your medical records are the most important evidence of your disability that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider. Even if you cannot afford medical treatment, there are many free local medical clinics. There is really no excuse for the lack of medical treatment.

Since it takes almost 2 years to get a  hearing in front of the Administrative Judge (ALJ), how are your going to explain that you are disabled if you have not gotten any medical treatment? Think about that!

Mistake No. 2 is failing to get medical treatment.

For more information, and for more help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

Posted March 28th 2008 to 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the Claims Process | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post