How to Talk to Your Doctor About Supporting Your SSDI Claim When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), one of the most important parts of your case is medical evidence. So having a doctor support your SSDI claim can make all the difference. The Social Security Administration (SSA) relies heavily on your medical records and doctor’s statements to decide if your condition truly prevents you from working. Your doctor’s support, or lack thereof, can make or break your claim. But many people aren’t sure how to talk to their doctor about SSDI. Here’s how to approach the conversation and make sure you get the medical documentation you need. Why Your Doctor’s Support Matters Your doctor’s support is one of
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Without Your Spouse? What to Know If you’re married and facing debt trouble, you might wonder if you can file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy without your spouse. Maybe your spouse doesn’t share your debt, or maybe you’re concerned about protecting their credit score. Maybe you just don’t want to involve them if you can help it. The good news is that, yes, you can file Chapter 13 bankruptcy individually, even if you’re married. Here’s what you need to know about how this works and what it means for you and your spouse. Filing Individually in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Under bankruptcy law, you’re allowed to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy on your own. There’s no legal requirement for both
Proving Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Memphis, you may be entitled to compensation for more than just your medical bills and lost wages. Pain and suffering—both physical and emotional—can have a major impact on your life, and the law recognizes that. But how do you prove pain and suffering as part of your case? Proving you deserve compensation for pain and suffering isn’t as simple as showing a hospital bill. It requires strong evidence and the right legal strategy. Fortunately, at our firm we’ve helped hundreds of people gather what they need and get the compensation they deserve. So here’s what you need to know about proving pain and
How Memphis Courts Handle SSDI Appeals Navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) appeals process can be challenging, and SSDI appeals in Memphis are no exception. But that shouldn’t keep you from getting the benefits you need. You have every right to appeal your claim after a denial, and understanding how the process works in Memphis can help you prepare effectively. Here’s an overview of the SSDI appeals process and how it affects Memphis residents. Initial Denial and Reconsideration No matter how much you need disability, remember the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies the majority of claims on the first try. After receiving a denial of your initial SSDI application, you have 60 days to request a reconsideration. This involves
Bankruptcy and Tax Liens: What You Need to Know If you’re struggling with tax debt and wondering whether bankruptcy can help, you’re not alone. We get questions all the time at our firm about bankruptcy and tax liens. The law is so complex that understandably, they have no idea how tax debt might affect their case. Many people assume taxes can never be discharged in bankruptcy, but that’s not entirely true. While tax debt is more complicated than credit card or medical debt, bankruptcy can still provide relief. As a Memphis bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve helped hundreds of people navigate tax-related debt through bankruptcy. Let’s break down what you need to know about how bankruptcy affects tax liens and IRS debt.
Why Workers’ Comp Claims Can Take So Long If you’re in the middle of a workers’ compensation claim and feeling frustrated by the slow pace of your case, you’re not alone. As a Memphis workers’ compensation lawyer with over 40 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how delays in the process can make an already stressful situation even more difficult. So why is your workers’ compensation case taking so long? While it may feel like your case is dragging on forever, there are several reasons why this can happen. In this post, I’ll explain some of the most common causes for delays in workers’ compensation cases and what you can do to move things forward. Complicated Medical Evaluations and Treatment
Comparative Negligence in Personal Injury: What to Know If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering how the courts decide on fault and how it affects your ability to get compensation. In many personal injury cases, more than one party may be responsible for the accident—including you. That’s where comparative negligence in personal injury comes into play. As a personal injury lawyer, I want to help you understand how comparative negligence works and what it might mean for your case. What Is Comparative Negligence in Personal Injury? Comparative negligence is a legal rule that decides how much compensation you can receive if you’re partially at fault for an accident. It doesn’t bar you from recovering money for
The Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know If you’re drowning in debt, constantly getting calls from creditors, or facing threats of wage garnishment, foreclosure, or repossession, you might feel like there’s no way out. But there’s one powerful tool to stop it all: the automatic stay in bankruptcy. The automatic stay is one of the most powerful tools for stopping debt collectors in their tracks. As a bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand how it gives people much-needed relief while they figure out their next steps. So, let’s break it down: What is the automatic stay? How does it work? And what does it actually stop? What Is the Automatic Stay? The automatic stay is a court order
Dog Bite Laws in Tennessee: Rules and Regulations If you’ve been bitten by a dog in our home state of Tennessee, you may be wondering who is responsible and what your legal options are. What are the dog bite laws in Tennessee, and what options do you have? As an award-winning Memphis dog attack lawyer, I help victims like you understand their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve. Tennessee’s dog bite laws can be confusing, but I’m here to break them down in a way that’s easy to understand. Tennessee’s “One Bite” vs. Strict Liability Rule Tennessee has a mix of strict liability and the “one bite” rule, depending on the situation. Strict Liability In most cases, a
How Will Disability Change in the Coming Years? Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a vital lifeline for millions of Americans unable to work due to disability. As we move into 2025, several changes and proposals are on the horizon that could impact current and future beneficiaries. So what do we know about the future of SSDI, and how can you prepare? Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Increase Starting in January 2025, SSDI recipients will see a 2.5% increase in their monthly benefits due to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). So for example, if you’re currently receiving $1,000 per month, your benefit will increase to $1,025. This adjustment happens every year in order to help beneficiaries keep up with inflation and rising