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Travel Expenses

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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If a claimant has to travel more than 75 miles one way to a hearing they can receive reimbursement for expenses. If travel expenses are requested, a form must be filled out and submitted to the Social Security Administration.

Worker’s compensation and medical marijuana: What is covered?

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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Before North Carolina ended its legislative session in August, a bill passed recognizing the therapeutic effects of marijuana. The North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act allows individuals with a certain form of epilepsy to use a type of marijuana, or hemp extract, as a treatment as long as it is…

Video Hearings

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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Increasingly, the Social Security Administration is conducting hearings by video. Whether or not this makes sense in your case is a matter to discuss with your attorney. Sometimes, your lawyer’s familiarity with the local judges outweighs any possible benefit of a slightly quicker hearing date with a judge from another…

Are independent contractors covered by workers’ compensation?

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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As a general rule, Charlotte and Mecklenburg employers with three or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance. Employers may satisfy the requirements of the law by qualifying with the North Carolina Industrial Commission as self-insurers in lieu of obtaining insurance through a traditional carrier. The three-employee rule does not…

Unemployment Insurance and Social Security Disability

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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The receipt of unemployment insurance during a time period of claimed disability often comes up in social security disability hearings. A problem exists because in order to obtain unemployment benefits, a person must certify that he/she is “willing and able to work.” While the law does not prohibit this from…

What is a Form 18 for work accident claims?

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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If you have been injured in the workplace, then it is at least possible that you can make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. But, how do you take this general knowledge and apply it to your specific injury situation? One of the most important things that you must do…

Using Your Own Vocational Expert

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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Occasionally, especially for claimants who are also receiving workers’ compensation benefits, it may be possible to utilize vocational expert testimony from the workers’ compensation or personal injury case in the social security claim. This vocational expert is generally “friendly” to the claimant is more likely to provide the kind of…

Sometimes you need an advocate to claim the benefits you deserve

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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“I’m OK!” How many times have you heard someone say that right after getting into an accident at work? Perhaps you have even said it yourself. Indeed, at the time it may even seem to be the truth; you spring back up, you do not seem to feel any unusual…

Medical Expert Witnesses

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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Occasionally, a Judge will ask an independent doctor to testify at a social security disability hearing. This is done either in person or on a conference call. Questioning the medical expert is a matter for your attorney to handle. It has been my experience that it is often possible to…

How Many Witnesses Should Testify at a Hearing?

On Behalf of Christian Ayers
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At first, it would seem wise to have several witnesses testify at a social security disability hearing. However, this is usually not a good idea. Judges hate long hearings and repetitive testimony. Also, there is a risk that a witness will say something different then the claimant, thus damaging credibility.…