Many people choose to take buses as a convenient form of transportation in Massachusetts. While buses are considered to be relatively safe, bus crashes happen more frequently than you might expect. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 65,000 accidents involving buses in 2018 alone, and the National Safety Council reports that there were …
How Long Does a Social Security Disability Claim Take?
The process involved with applying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) can be stressful. People who apply for SSDI are unable to work and are likely concerned about how they will make ends meet. It’s understandable if you’re wondering, “How long does a Social Security disability claim take?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer to …
Are Slip and Fall Cases Hard to Win?
Slip-and-fall accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8,173,179 people were injured in slip-and-fall accidents in 2018 alone. While these types of accidents are common, they can also leave people with devastating injuries. If you have suffered injuries in …
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits
Suffering from a disabling medical condition or injury is much more common than most people think. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that more than 25 percent of adults who are currently age 20 will become disabled before they retire. Most people pay into the Social Security fund through taxes taken from their paychecks. So if …
What to Look for in a Bike Injury Lawyer
Were you recently injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else? You may be feeling uncertain and confused. You may not know if you can pursue a legal claim against the person responsible, or how you would go about taking legal action. To ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, you will likely …
What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Dog
Many people own dogs, love dogs, and consider them to be part of their families. In fact, dogs are the most popular type of pet in the United States, and the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 38.4 percent of American households own at least one dog. Given the close relationships people have with their …
Workers’ Compensation Claim Denied? Follow These Steps.
Was your workers’ compensation claim denied? Your related expenses should be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance; however, sometimes these claims are not approved. If your claim was denied, don’t fret. The attorneys at Ellis & Associates can help you understand why your claim failed and walk you through the steps to recover benefits for …
Elements of a Successful Construction Accident Claim
Construction accidents are among the most common type of workplace accidents that happen in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, construction accidents were responsible for one out of every five workplace fatalities that happened in the private sector in 2018. If you are injured in a construction accident while working, you …
Social Security Denied My Claim. What Now?
Every year, millions of Americans apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), 2,015,200 applications for disability benefits were submitted in 2019. However, only 35.9 percent of those applications were approved. If you have received a denial notice, you might wonder, “Social Security denied my claim. What now?”
Things to Know About Truck Accident Claims
Crashes involving large commercial trucks are among the most severe. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an estimated 450,000 commercial truck collisions happened in the U.S. in 2017, which is the most recent year for which data is available. Out of those accidents, 344,000 were injury collisions and 4,237 resulted in fatalities. If …
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred each year between 2006 and 2015. If you’re injured in a hit-and-run accident, recovering damages for your claim may be complicated – if you don’t know the at-fault driver’s identity, you may not be able to hold him or her responsible …
Tips for Handling a Motorcycle Accident
Riding on a motorcycle can give you an instant feeling of exhilaration and freedom. Unfortunately, motorcycles also carry a much greater risk of injuries and fatalities when they’re involved in accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in the United States in 2018. Tens of thousands more are injured …
What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?
Similarities: Both SSI and SSDI disability programs offer cash benefits for disabled individuals. Both programs are overseen and managed by the Social Security Administration Medical eligibility for disability is determined in the same manner for both programs Difference: The main difference between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fact that …
How to Meet Social Security’s Definition of Disability
To be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Social Security defines disability as no longer able to perform a “substantial” amount of work (called substantial gainful activity) as the result of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or possibly …
4 Tips to Win a Social Security Disability Claim for Herniated Disk
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t always make it easy for those with a herniated disk to get the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits they deserve. However, Ellis & Associates has successfully represented many SSA applicants with a herniated disk. Here are 4 tips to win your Social Security …
Why Did My Arthritis Social Security Claim Get Denied And How Can a Lawyer Help?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t always make it easy for those with arthritis to get the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income benefits they deserve. Many claims are denied because SSA says: Your medical condition doesn’t meet the requirements of or is the equivalent of a Medical Listing, You can return …
When Does Asthma Meet A Listing?
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) maintains a listing of medical requirements for impairments. If your medical record establishes that you meet every element of the Listing for your impairment, your Social Security disability benefits will be awarded at Step 3 of the Five-Step Sequential Evaluation. Adult asthma is included in the SSA’s “Listing of Impairments.” …
What is Lupus?
The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that there are about 1.5 million people in the U.S. living with Lupus. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that in addition to the fatigue, inflammation, and joint pain and stiffness often seen with the condition, your immune system is also compromised, making you more at risk for …
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease that can qualify you for Social Security. It is the catchall name for more than 100 different diseases that affect the joints causing joint pain and loss of mobility. Here are some of the different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people …
What Are The Causes of Chronic Back Pain and Symptoms?
The principle building block of your back is bone, which can have structural problems like degenerative disc disease, stenosis, facet arthrosis, osteophytes, bone spurs, foraminal narrowing, or osteoporosis. Social Security recognizes all these medically diagnosed injuries as possible disabling conditions. HERNIATED DISC Between the bones of your spine are discs that allow for movement of …