Can You Get SSDI for Insomnia? What You Need to Know If you’re applying for disability benefits, you may have questions about insomnia and SSDI. After all, anyone with a disability can tell you it makes sleep more difficult and at times even impossible. But how might that factor into your application? And are there ways to prove your insomnia to the SSA? Sleep is one of the most basic human needs. And while insomnia by itself usually isn’t enough to qualify for SSDI, when it’s linked to another medical or mental health condition, it can be a major factor in a successful disability claim. Why Insomnia Alone Usually Doesn’t Qualify The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t list insomnia as
How to Avoid Everyday Products That Hurt People As a Memphis personal injury lawyer with decades of product liability experience, I’ve seen firsthand the many everyday products that hurt people. What’s more, I’ve seen a number of people not know how to talk about their injuries and not realize the rights they have after something goes wrong. When you think of dangerous products, you might imagine heavy machinery or construction equipment. But many common household items pose serious risks that most people don’t think about day to day. Appliances can overheat and catch fire. Power tools can malfunction and cause life-changing injuries. Cleaning chemicals can create toxic fumes. Even children’s toys, which we assume are designed for safety, can contain
Can’t Pay a Debt? What to Do If you suddenly realize you can’t pay a debt, you still have rights, and you still have options. Tons of people go through this every day, and there are ways to manage it without losing control. As a bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve helped clients through this situation for decades. Here’s a simple guide for what to do (and what not to do) when you realize you can’t make a payment. What to Do When You Can’t Pay a Debt 1. Review Your Budget Honestly First, take a look at what you earn and what you spend. Figure out what you can afford, even if it’s a temporary amount. If you’re able to cut back
Slip and Falls at Work Slip and falls at work are one of the most common injuries in the workplace. And if it’s happened to you, you may wonder what comes next. Do you file a workers’ compensation claim? Can you sue your employer? What if someone else is responsible? As a personal injury lawyer who handles slip and fall cases along with workers’ comp, I’ve helped many clients figure this out and get the benefits they need. Here’s what to know. Workers’ Compensation Is Your First Line of Protection If you’re an employee and you slip and fall while doing your job, workers’ compensation is usually your first option. Most states, including Tennessee, require employers to carry workers’ comp
Will Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Impact Your Child’s College Plans or Future? If you’re thinking about getting out of debt, you may be worried about navigating Chapter 13 bankruptcy and your child’s future. At our bankruptcy firm, parents sometimes ask us whether filing Chapter 13 will affect their child’s ability to go to college, get financial aid, or even find a job later in life. Fortunately, your child’s future remains open and full of possibility. Here’s what you need to know. Bankruptcy and Your Child’s Credit Report Personal bankruptcy is personal — meaning it affects only the person who files. So your Chapter 13 won’t show up on your child’s credit report. It won’t affect their credit score, their ability to
What Happens If You Can’t Take Care of Your Loved One Because of Your Own Health When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you’re typically looking for support because a disability keeps you from working. But SSDI for caregivers can make things a lot more complicated. Maybe you’re the one who helps a parent, spouse, child, or another loved one who depends on you. When your own health begins to decline, it can feel especially overwhelming. If your medical condition has made it impossible to continue working – which can also impact your caregiving – you may qualify for SSDI. And we can help. Caregivers Often Put Their Own Health Last If you’re the caregiver, you’re probably used
The Unique Challenges of Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries If your child has suffered pediatric spinal cord injuries, there’s a lot you’ll need to know as you decide your next steps. We are here to help make it easier. Spinal cord injuries are devastating at any age. But as a personal injury lawyer in Memphis, I’ve seen how pediatric spinal cord injuries can affect not only the child’s future but the entire family’s life. These cases bring unique legal, medical, and emotional challenges – and families deserve support every step of the way. Here’s what makes pediatric spinal cord injuries different, and why legal help is so important. Lifelong Medical Needs Children who suffer spinal cord injuries often require care for
How Side Effects from Medications Impact Your Ability to Work (and Your Disability Case) When most people think about applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), they focus on their medical condition itself. But how do medication side effects and SSDI impact each other? Many applicants don’t realize the side effects of your prescribed medications can also play a major role in your ability to work and affect your SSDI claim. If you’re struggling with medication side effects that make it hard to hold a job, here’s what you need to know. A Cure, or a Complication? Many serious health conditions – like chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, mental illness, or cancer – require strong medications to manage the symptoms. These
The Ugly Side of Zombie Foreclosures, And What You Can Do About It You may think your foreclosure nightmare is over once you move out of your home. But for some homeowners, the horror is just beginning. Welcome to the world of zombie foreclosures: a confusing, stressful, and unfair situation where you’ve walked away from your home thinking it was foreclosed. The problem is… legally, you’re still the owner. If you’ve received strange bills, city fines, or even been sued for a house you haven’t lived in for years, this post is for you. What Is a Zombie Foreclosure? A zombie foreclosure happens when a homeowner abandons their property after receiving a foreclosure notice – but then the foreclosure never
Stopping Wage Garnishment: Do Lawyers Have to Get Involved? If your paycheck is being garnished, or you just got a notice that it will be, you probably want a quick way out. But do you need a lawyer to stop wage garnishment? Is there a way to handle it yourself? The truth is, you can take steps on your own to deal with wage garnishment. And below we give some options for that. But having a lawyer on your side can make a big difference, especially if you’re overwhelmed or unsure of your legal rights – and especially if you want to stop the garnishment right away. Let’s break it down. How Wage Garnishment Happens Wage garnishment doesn’t happen overnight.