The Social Security Administration can issue a subpoena for your medical records upon written request to the administrative law judge. While this is rarely done, the administrative law judge does have the power to issue subpoenas.

At Cavey & Barrett, we feel that the administrative law judge should not have to exercise that power because we submit all relevant medical records from your treating physician to the administrative law judge when making the determination of your entitlement to Social Security benefits.

If you have any questions regarding your rights to Social Security Disability benefits, contact Social Security Disability attorney Sharon Barrett, your St. Petersburg based Social Security Disability attorney at www.caveylaw.com or give her a call at 727-894-3188.

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It wasn’t uncommon in the 1980s for disability insurance companies to try to outdo each other by writing very liberal policies that favored the insured consumer.

The long-term disability carriers were going after the growing market for professional disability coverage because of the huge premiums. Unfortunately, they ended up paying out more in claims because the policy language was so liberal. We have seen over the last several years, particularly with the worsening economy, an increase in the number of claims denied.

If you file a disability claim, you should expect to be denied because most carriers know that people whose benefit claims have been denied will go away.

At Cavey & Barrett, we urge you to keep fighting. We can assist you in getting your medical records, talking to your physicians, and getting documentation from your physicians explaining how you meet the long-term disability policy’s requirements to be eligible for benefits.

If you retain an attorney who represents plaintiffs in ERISA cases, the chances are that you will obtain your benefits.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at www.caveylaw.com or give us a call at 727-894-3188.

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Obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and agoraphobia may make it impossible for you to work. If you’ve had an official diagnosis of any of these conditions, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits.

As part of the Social Security Disability paperwork you are going to be asked about your daily activities, and how your obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attack or agoraphobia affects you.

Please be honest and explain the problems that you have functioning in your home with your family members and difficulties you might have at the grocery store, at church or with others. It is nothing to be ashamed of!

It is very important the medical records show that you have significant symptoms and that these cause you difficulty with your ability to socialize with others and work.

If you suffer from the symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, agoraphobia, contact Social Security anxiety attorney, Sharon Barrett, for assistance with your claim. Sharon has written an easy to read consumer guide entitled Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits, at a $19.95 value, which you can order for free by either visiting www.caveylaw.com or calling 727-894-3188.

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.

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When your Social Security Disability Claims is sent to the Social Security Disability office it is sent to the Disability Determination Office. It is then assigned to a Social  Security Disability Claims Examiner who does 7 things in evaluating your disability claim.

Those 7 things are:

1. The Disability Claims Examiner assigned to your case will send medical records request letters to your various medical providers that you listed at the time of your initial application.

2. After your medical records have been received, the Disability Claims Examiner will read and evaluate them.

3. The Disability Claims Examiner will determine whether or not you have a physical or mental condition that meets the requirements of a listing. If your medical condition does not meet a listing, the Disability Claims Examiner will determine your functional capabilities based on reading your medical records.

4. The Disability Claims Examiner will submit his assessment of your Residual Functional Capacity to a staff physician who will review the form to determine what you can still do and what you are incapable of doing from a mental and/or physical standpoint.

5. The Disability Claims Examiner will review the physician-approved Residual Functional Capacity and determine whether or not your restrictions prevent you from doing the lightest job you held in the last 15 years.

6. The Disability Claims Examiner will also determine if those restrictions and limitations make it impossible for you to do other suitable work.

7. If the Disability Claims Examiner determines that you cannot return to your lightest job and that you can’t perform other suitable work, you will be approved for Social Security Disability benefits.

When the Disability Claims Examiner determines your functional limitations and compares them to the work that you did in the past and other work that might be available based on your age, education and job skills, he performs a medical/vocational determination.

The Residual Functional Capacity determination by the Disability Claims Examiner and staff physician is rarely accurate. Sharon Barrett, a St. Petersburg/Tampa Social Secuirty Disability lawyer, has your treating physician complete the right Residual Functional Capacity form  for your medical condition so that the Social Security Administration has your treating physician’s opinion about your functional capabilities.

It is crucial to the success of your Social Security disability claim that your physican be given the right residual functional capacity forms!

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Do you know someone who has suffered electrical, chemical, or thermal burns? These are often horrific injuries that can affect bones, muscles, breathing, and even the function of the heart and kidneys.

The Social Security Administration evaluates a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits for burns by looking the predominant features of the impairment by body system. The starting point is Listing of Impairments-Section 8 and 8.08. Remember the disability must last or be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months.

If you have any questions about filing an application for Social Security Disability Benefits for Burns, please contact Cavey & Barrett, your Tampa Bay based Social Security Disability attorneys.

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