The Tennessee family of a 34-year-old mother and her 10-year-old son who lost their lives in February are still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. The victims were knocked down by a vehicle while they were trying to help some car accident victims. We wrote about this tragic truck accident on Feb. 24 ("Good Samaritans killed while helping at car wreck"). A grand jury in Williamson County recently indicted two drivers in relation to the deaths.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - Epilepsy or Seizures
I often get calls about qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI due to epileptic seizures. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has stringent rules for those seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI based only on epilepsy at the listing level of the sequential process. The regulations require:
Arrest made after fatal Tennessee car wreck
Recently, a fatal accident in Tennessee between two cars led to the arrest of one of the drivers. The car wreck happened shortly before 1:15 a.m. Tennessee police report that a victim died at the scene of the accident, while another was injured.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - Why the Backlog?
On August, 29, 2015, I wrote about waiting times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the hearing level. I try to blog on this subject every month or two because these statistics are so important to people waiting for their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI to be heard at a local hearing office. Today, I will look at some information behind the statistics in an effort to figure out why the processing times continue to increase at the hearing office or better known as the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
The usefulness of event data recorders in car accidents
An event data recorder (EDR) is what consumers know as the "black boxes" generally referred to in airplane accidents. What many people may not know is that approximately 91.6% of new passenger vehicles manufactured since 2006 already have EDRs installed. The types of data recorded by EDRs have developed a lot since the modules were first implemented. Today, EDRs may be used to add to and corroborate findings from traditional investigations into car accidents in Tennessee.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - Evaluating Symptoms
Last week, I discussed how the Social Security Administration evaluates Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims. This week I want to briefly discuss how the SSA evaluates subjective symptoms by claimants in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases. The SSA evaluates symptoms, including pain and fatigue, and the extent to which the symptoms can be accepted as consistent with the objective medical evidence. Cases are won and lost on the determination of the validity, extent, and effect of a claimant's symptoms, such as pain and fatigue.
Worker's fingers amputated and reattached after workplace injury
Industrial workers in Tennessee are often exposed to equipment and machinery that can cause debilitating injuries if they are not protected from the working parts. There are strict safety regulations in place, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration require companies to comply. One of the safety regulations that is often violated involves protective guards on all machinery to prevent a potential workplace injury.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - Evaluating Claims
Whenever I meet with a potential Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) client, again prior to his or her hearing, I find it helpful to discuss how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates claims for disability. In terms of meeting the medical requirements, the SSA utilizes the same process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims as it does for SSI claims. The SSA calls the process the five-step sequential evaluation. The evaluation is done in order and if a decision to approve or deny can be made at any step then the evaluation stops.
Motorcycle versus car accidents -- extra vigilance is needed
During this time of year in Tennessee, the cooler weather is ideal for motorcyclists to take out their bikes. Unfortunately, car accidents involving motorcycles are all too common. In Montgomery County, 121 accidents involving motorcycles have been reported so far this year. Six people died in these accidents.
