Staten Island Workers' Comp and SSDI Law Blog

Many people don't realize it, but there can be significant overlap between the workers' compensation system and the Social Security disability system. Usually, individuals who are injured on the job seek workers' compensation so that they can recoup their lost wages and medical expenses, thereby allowing them to focus on their recovery and returning to work. Many times, though, these individuals find that they are unable to return to work on account of their medical condition, which drives them to seek Social Security disability benefits.

Of course, over the life of an individual, SSD benefits can be much more significant than those paid out by workers' compensation, but the requirements to obtain and retain SSD benefits are much more stringent. Medical evidence must be presented to show that one's condition qualifies as a "disability", meeting the definition set by the federal government. This evidence can be disputed, and even once SSD benefit are obtained, an individual can be subjected to reconsideration of his or her medical condition in the future to determine whether benefits are still justified.

Many New Yorkers struggle with some sort of arthritis. This disease, which can cause severe pain in the joints, can have an impact on an individual's daily life. Things that were once easy to do may become difficult or even impossible to accomplish. The seemingly ever-present pain can be too much to bare. For some individuals, their arthritis is so severe that it impacts their ability to work. When this is the case, it may be wise to consider pursuing Social Security disability benefits, as that may be the only way for an individual to recover the compensation he or she needs to find financial stability.

In order to obtain SSD benefits, though, one must meet certain federal requirements under identified medical conditions. One of those conditions is inflammatory arthritis. Those who suffer from this condition may qualify for SSD benefits if they can show one of four things. First, if inflammation or deformity of a weight-bearing joint or one of the major joints in the upper body is persistent and causes significant limitation in movement, then an individual may qualify for benefits.

Employees tend to have certain expectations in the workplace. But nobody expects to be injured on the job. Yet, every day, unsuspecting New Yorkers are put in harm's way and suffer workplace injuries as a result. Generally speaking, those who are injured in workplace accidents qualify for workers' compensation benefits. This is important because these benefits can help individuals secure money to help them cover their medical expenses and rehabilitative costs, as well as recoup a portion of their lost wages. For many New Yorkers, workers' compensation benefits are a true financial lifesaver while they focus on reclaiming their health and getting back to work.

Although many workplace injuries are covered by workers' compensation, there are a lot of cases where injured workers have their claims denied. A claim denial may be the result of a number of factors, including evidence showing that the hurt person was doing something other than his or her work duties at the time an injury was suffered. Other denials are handed out due to the injury pre-existing the incident, as well as lack of medical evidence.

Tragically, just about everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another. For some, a beloved family or friend has been inflicted with the disease. For others, they must confront the disease head on after they have been diagnosed with it. For those in the latter group, their lives can be forever changed after a cancer diagnosis. What becomes important to them can change as they shift their focus away from their day-to-day activities and toward obtaining effective treatment.

Yet, these individuals are still forced to deal with issues that may not be of the utmost importance to them, like paying bills. After all, those diagnosed with cancer will still have to pay for their medical care as well as their living expenses, such as rent or house payments, utilities, food and other necessities. The costs of medical care can quickly skyrocket, too, especially when individuals have to be subjected to surgery, radiation treatment or pharmacological therapy.