News That Is Important to You

Our law firm posts legal news related to our clients' needs such as obtaining Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Florida workers' compensation benefits, Florida DUI defense, domestic battery and more.

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Social Security Disability

• Jobless Rate 60 % Higher For Americans With Disabilities, Report Shows
  Aug 31, 2010

  From disabilityscoop.com- According to the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment hovered at 14.5 percent among those with disabilities in 2009, significantly higher than the 9 percent reported for the rest of the population. Of those who did have jobs, a third had part-time positions compared to 1 in 5 workers without disabilities.

  Meanwhile, the vast majority of people with disabilities — 80 percent — were not considered to be in the workforce at all because they were not seeking work. One reason for this may be that half of those with disabilities were over age 65.

  Educational attainment is one factor that appeared to impact a person’s odds of employment. Nonetheless, having a disability persisted as a barrier, according to the data. When educational levels were equal, those with disabilities were still less than half as likely to have a job as those without.
  
  By Michelle Diament
  Read the full article here.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

  
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• OIG finds benefits for many child beneficiaries were never paid
  Aug 30, 2010

  From a recent report by Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG):
  
  Some individuals cannot manage or direct the management of their finances because of their youth or mental and/or physical impairments. SSA appoints representative payees to receive and manage these beneficiaries’ payments. When circumstances change or suggest a representative payee may no longer be suitable, SSA may suspend benefits and initiate a search for a new representative payee. SSA may also pay beneficiaries directly while it is searching for a new representative payee, unless it would cause the beneficiary substantial harm. In addition, under certain circumstances, child beneficiaries age 15 to 17 can be paid directly.
  
  However, SSA cannot make direct payments to child beneficiaries under age 15 unless they have been legally emancipated. Finally, upon attaining age 18, unless direct payment is prohibited for other reasons, beneficiaries are presumed to be legally competent adults and no longer require representative payees solely based on their age.

  To ensure SSA appoints representative payees timely, systems alerts are generated to SSA field offices for beneficiaries who have been suspended pending the selection of a representative payee. When these alerts are generated and a representative payee cannot be found, field office staff should initiate direct payment to beneficiaries unless the beneficiary is legally incompetent, is under age 15 and not legally emancipated, or has a drug addiction or alcoholism condition and direct payment is determined to be inappropriate. Alerts are generated to field offices each month until benefits are reinstated.

  We identified 13,739 previously entitled child beneficiaries over age 18 who had past due benefits that were withheld pending the selection of a representative payee. When these child beneficiaries attained age 18 and therefore were presumed capable of managing their own benefits, SSA should have paid the withheld benefits directly unless it had information that the beneficiaries had impairments that prevented them from managing their benefits.
  
  Read the full report here.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

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• Protect safety net for disabled workers
  Aug 30, 2010

  From the desmoinesregister.com- Social Security is generally talked about as if it's a single program for older Americans, but it has two trust funds - one that pays retirement and survivor benefits and another that pays disability benefits. The Disability Insurance Trust Fund is in worse shape. Evaluated on its own, its assets are expected to fall below its annual expenditures by the beginning of 2013 - less than three years from now. It is projected to become exhausted five years later.
  
  See full article here.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193 - 3 - 10

• 1935-2010: Social Security Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary
  Aug 30, 2010

  From ssa.gov- When Roosevelt signed Social Security into law on August 14, 1935, he said, “The civilization of the past hundred years, with its startling industrial changes, has tended more and more to make life insecure. Young people have come to wonder what would be their lot when they came to old age. The man with a job has wondered how long the job would last. This law, too, represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means complete. It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”

  Change and economic uncertainty was a regular part of everyday life in those days, just as it is today. Social Security helped add some stability to American citizens who otherwise may not have had an income at all — just as it does today.

  See the full article here.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

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• Social Security to Provide Helpful Health Care Information
  Aug 16, 2010

  From ssa.gov- Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The website links take disability applicants to two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites – www.healthfinder.gov where they will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions; and www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug where they may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193 - 5 - 10

• Breast Cancer Fatality Rates Among African-American Women
  Jun 29, 2010

  June 28, 2010 - Breast cancer is a recognized disability by the Social Security Administration, particularly when sufferers have advanced forms of cancer, the cancer has metastasized or the treatment leaves the sufferer severely ill and unable to work.
  
  A recent report reveals disturbing news about the death rate for uninsured African-American women who suffer from breast cancer. According to Reuters Health, the study looked at 600 women treated at one hospital in the course of 10 years. Most of the women had no insurance, or relied on government programs, like Medicare and Medicaid.
  
  The death rate for African American women involved in the study was 26%, compared to a death rate of 18% for white women. This was true even when the women were given the same treatment.
  
  Researchers say that the survival gap is likely a result of biological factors, such as tumor make-up, as well as social reasons, such as access to preventative healthcare.
  
  If you are suffering from a severe form of breast cancer and you are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security benefits may offer some financial relief as you cope with this serious illness and related medical treatment.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

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• Detecting Heart Disease Risks
  Jun 29, 2010

  June 28, 2010 - Heart disease is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. For those who suffer from a serious heart condition and find that between their heart condition and the treatment for the disease they are unable to work, Social Security disability benefits may provide financial relief.
  
  Researchers have recently discovered that women who enter menopause before age 46 may be at greater risk for heart disease. A recent study showed that women who experienced early menopause were more than twice as likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or similar cardiovascular trauma.
  
  Armed with this knowledge, healthcare providers can work with women who experience early menopause in order to establish heart-healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime and addressing issues of high cholesterol and blood pressure.
  
  The study found that roughly 6% of women who had early menopause also suffered a heart condition or "heart event," compared to just 2.6% of women who experienced menopause at 47 years or older.
  
  The Social Security Administration recognizes various cardiovascular conditions on its Listing of Impairments that may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
  
  The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

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Workers' Compensation

• Veto on workers' comp decried
  Aug 31, 2010
  
  From healthnewsflorida.org- The measure would have limited the cost of drugs that are repackaged in small doses and then dispensed by physicians to workers' compensation patients. Some physicians choose to do such dispensing instead of writing prescriptions that patients can fill at pharmacies. 
  
  The veto drew immediate reaction from workers' compensation experts, including consultant Joseph Paduda of Health Strategy Associates. He said the veto of HB 5603 was a mistake because the law runs up the price of drugs that employers and insurers pay on behalf of injured workers. 
  
  
  Florida Workers’ Compensation is designed to help those who have suffered an injury while on-the-job in Florida. A Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation attorney at Sullivan & Hepler can work with you after you’ve suffered a Florida worksite injury. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.
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Criminal Defense

• Man Driving Lawn Mower Charged With DUI
  Aug 31, 2010

  From wftv.com- ANTHONY, Fla.-Marion County Sheriff's Office spotted Richard Paschen driving the red lawn mower with a cup of beer sitting in the cup holder Friday night. He told Deputy Gary Miller he'd had "a pretty good bit" to drink and had gotten lost on his way home. Paschen refused a breath test.

   

  Paschen has had several DUIs and his driver's license has been suspended.
  
  If you have been charged with criminal activity including assault, drug charges, weapons possession, theft, DUI, or domestic battery, a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney from Sullivan & Hepler can help. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193
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• North Jacksonville Police Chase Ends with Multiple Charges
  Aug 27, 2010

  August 27, 2010 - Jacksonville, FL - Brandon Pleas, 24, was arrested on August 18 on multiple charges after he led police on a chase through North Jacksonville.
  
  Jacksonville.com reports that the evening pursuit began at the CVS at 1190 Dunn Ave. after police received a call that a woman was being assaulted outside the store. As police arrived, they learned the woman had been driven away in a silver Cadillac, driven by Pleas.
  
  The officers gave chase, finding the car on Briarcliff Road, where they attempted to pull it over. Pleas allegedly refused to stop and officers reported seeing him hitting the woman inside the vehicle. After running a stop sign and driving into an apartment complex on Monaco Drive, Pleas attempted to get out of the car.
  
  An officer tried to pull alongside the Cadillac but Pleas swerved to strike the police cruiser before pulling back and speeding through side streets to return to Briarcliff Road. The chase continued until Pleas ran another stop sign and slammed into a pole. He exited the vehicle and attempted to flee but was caught by police who found an open knife on the floor of the vehicle.
  
  Pleas was arrested on charges of battery, fleeing an officer, aggravated assault against a police officer, driving with a suspended license, and violation of parole. He remains in jail with no bond.
  
  As a service to the residents of Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local news relevant to our practice areas. We do this to raise awareness about common and noteworthy events that occur in Florida that may result in criminal charges.
  
  If you have been named in this blog or you are the family member or friend of someone named in this news item and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.
  
  Contacting a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney
  
  If you have been charged with criminal activity including assault, drug charges, weapons possession, theft, DUI, or domestic battery, a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney from Sullivan & Hepler can help. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

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