Author Archives: Brad Pinzur
Questions a Judge May Ask a Disabled Pennsylvania Resident Applying for Social Security Benefits
Administrative Law Judges conduct Social Security hearings in order to determine whether applicants are eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Often, claimants are denied benefits once, or potentially two times. While the hearings are informal, they can include various professionals, including an attorney, a vocational expert, a medical expert,… Read More »
What Are My Rights After Suffering Injuries in an Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver in Pennsylvania?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, alcohol use and speeding contribute to the majority of car accidents throughout Pennsylvania. Alcohol-related crashes remain a major safety issue, and in 2014, there were 10,550 crashes due to impaired drivers. Statistics also indicate that in 2014, alcohol-related deaths were 28% of the total traffic deaths. Statistics… Read More »
Lay Witness Testimony Can Support a Fatal Claim Petition for Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws provide benefits to those who suffer injuries in the course and scope of employment. Often, industrial accidents lead to physical injuries that are compensable. The definition of “injury” is critical to an injured employee’s claim for benefits. Significantly, an “injury” under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act may manifest in different… Read More »
Social Security Must Consider Multiple Impairments When Determining Pennsylvania Residents’ Eligibility for Benefits
Individuals suffering from medical conditions that prevent them from working are encouraged to apply for Social Security, since the law requires the Administration to consider the combined effects of these conditions when determining eligibility. Federal law mandates that Social Security take into consideration the combined effects of impairments when they make a decision about… Read More »
Filing a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim for a Workplace Accident in Pennsylvania
Workers’ compensation provides benefits for employees injured in the course and scope of employment. Employers that maintain workers’ compensation insurance are generally protected, or immune, from personal injury lawsuits filed by their employees. In other words, in exchange for giving up their right to pursue a civil claim against their employer, employees are provided… Read More »
Fatal Car Accidents and Pursuing a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claim
Fatal car accidents may be caused by a variety of factors and lead to either a sudden death accident or an eventual death fatal accident. Throughout Pennsylvania, surviving family members or dependents of the person who passed away may face medical bills, funeral expenses, and other accident-related costs. By pursuing a wrongful death claim… Read More »
Do Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Need a Representative Payee?
Social Security Disability benefits or monthly Supplemental Security Income benefits are provided by the Social Security Administration to help individuals who cannot work due to an illness, injury, or mental condition. While the program provided by the Social Security Administration provides monthly benefit payments, helping the financial situation faced by disabled individuals, there may… Read More »
Compensation Available to Personal Injury Plaintiffs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law provides for damages to individuals who have successfully shown the legal fault of an individual or entity in a civil lawsuit. As a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, an injured individual may recover compensation for past and future harm related to the underlying accident or incident. Damages, in the form of… Read More »
Can Pennsylvania Residents Suffering from Heart Conditions Secure Social Security Disability Benefits?
Social Security Disability benefits exist for individuals with severe heart conditions that prevent them from working. Congestive heart failure, recurrent arrhythmias, and coronary artery diseases are examples of some conditions that may qualify an individual for benefits, under the “Blue Book” Listings of Impairments. The Blue Book is officially called “Disability Evaluation Under Social… Read More »
Pennsylvania Workers are Eligible for Specific Loss Benefits Regardless of Missing Wages
According to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, specific loss workers’ compensation benefits are provided to those individuals who suffer disfigurement, scarring, or amputation resulting in the permanent “loss of use” of a body part. Disfigurement and amputations can be life-changing, destroying an individual’s self-esteem in addition to limiting their physical abilities. It is important… Read More »
