Virginia Social Security Benefits Lawyer
If you suffer from any injury or disease that will prevent you from working for a year or longer, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. This federal system is intended to be fair, but in reality, many people with serious, legitimate disabilities face major challenges in getting their claims approved.
In the Shenandoah Valley, please contact experienced attorney A. Thomas Lane Jr. for compassionate, skillful representation throughout your efforts to obtain the Social Security benefits you need and deserve.
Able Legal Assistance With Your SSDI or SSI Benefits Claim
The Social Security Administration administers two distinct programs intended to provide income for those unable to work due to injury, physical illness or mental illness:
- Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), for those who have worked and paid into the system over a period of years before becoming disabled
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for those who are unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment and have very limited financial resources of any kind
A Thorough Understanding of Social Security Disability Claims and Appeal Procedures
These programs differ from workers' compensation insurance in that you do not have to establish a specific cause for your disability nor do you need to prove that the disability resulted from your work. However, the Social Security Administration applies very specific, complex criteria for making a decision on whether you qualify for benefits. A very high percentage of claims are initially denied, mainly because a person's condition does not neatly fit definitions on a very specific listing of impairments.
Fortunately, many adverse decisions can be reversed on appeal with the help of knowledgeable counsel. Our law firm has achieved successful outcomes by helping clients:
- Better present and describe a physical, exertional disability and its impact on their capacity to perform work
- Accurately describe the extent and impact of a nonexertional, mental disability such as severe depression or schizophrenia
- Build a medical record that conclusively demonstrates the inability to perform work
- Avoid common mistakes in appeals testimony
Serving Harrisonburg, Luray, Staunton, Winchester, Waynesboro and Charlottesville
At the Harrisonburg law office of A. Thomas Lane, Jr., we are committed to helping injured and disabled Virginians obtain justice and the financial benefits they deserve. Contact us today by e-mail or by phone at (540) 434-7666 to arrange a free consultation about your case.
