According to the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report, Social Security will be insolvent within the next two decades.  Sounds terrible, right?  Well, according to recent reports, matters might get even worse for our Social Security system.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news.  However, one of the goals at the Phillips Law Firm is to constantly keep our clients and our citizens informed of news that will likely affect their rights and access to justice.  Recent tremblings within Congress motivates our desire to share the following news to better accomplish this goal; and, to assist in your protection.

Dozens of Social Security Offices Set to Close

A senior agent within the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently informed Congress that, due to budget cuts, the SSA will have to close dozens of field offices.  This is despite the fact that millions of baby boomers have, are, and will be approaching retirement.  According to Nancy Berryhill, the agency’s deputy commissioner for operations, this closure should not be too intrusive or impactful.  Her reasoning is that better internet access and more online services will help ease the transition of office closures.

Nonetheless, Senators involved with this issue appear unconvinced.  According to Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the Aging Committee, “the fact of the matter is, millions of seniors and disabled Americans are not accustomed to doing business online…Even as computer and broadband technologies become more widespread, the idea that the Social Security Administration can serve beneficiaries primarily online ignores the very real needs of the senior and disabled populations.”

Key facts exist that support Senator Collins’ view.  Many older Americans now lack access to the internet.  Many also are not comfortable using the internet to apply for Social Security benefits.  Consider for a moment that, last year alone, more than 43 million people visited Social Security field offices for benefit related questions and information.

This entire problem is further exacerbated by the reality that numerous SSA office closures have already taken place.  The agency has closed 64 field offices since 2010.  This figure represents the largest number of closures in a five-year period in the SSA’s history.  Further, the agency has recently closed over 500 temporary mobile offices that serve remote areas.  Working hours have also been reduced in the 1,245 field offices that remain open.

According to the SSA, it saves approximately $4 million over the course of a decade for every field office it closes.  Sure, reduction in employees and the closure of field offices certainly saves the SSA money, but does it help you?

The Impact of Office Closures

The SSA’s decision to close numerous field offices is not really that helpful for citizens.  Granted, closed offices may not matter to those that have great internet connection and are masterful in navigating the complex maze within obtaining Social Security benefits. Many of us, however, are unhappy with out internet.  Still many others do not even have the foggiest of clues as to where to begin in order to claim benefits.

The vast majority of Americans claiming their Social Security benefits have questions when it comes to receiving these benefits.  The bulk of these questions cannot be answered online.  Quality and trusted answers require hearing them from a real person and a real voice.  Thus, the closure of SSA offices will more than likely mean a delay in getting questions answered.  The closure will also mean a delay in submitting benefit applications and a similar delay in receiving actual benefits.  These are not, by any means, good things.  Continued office closures will likely have a negative impact upon us all.

Can Phillips Law Firm Help?

Of course we can.  Skilled professionals armed with numerous years of experience and a high caliber level of intelligence often helps turn failure into success.  Let us deliver this success to you.  The attorneys at our firm know the intricacies of the Social Security system.  Our team can help navigate the various channels within the agency to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.  Why deal with red tape when you can receive top-notch, and much needed assistance, to circumvent it?

Simply contact us today and let us make your Social Security experience a better one.  We can assist in: filing your claim; appealing a claim; and/or, answering any questions about the entire claim process.  Yes, SSA offices might be closing soon; but, ours is usually open and we have attorneys ready and waiting to assist you with your legal needs.

On the job injuries unfortunately happen all of the time in Washington. If you have been injured on the job while working in Washington State, please know that you may be able to receive benefits for any injuries sustained.

These benefits are commonly referred to as workers’ compensation benefits. The specific benefits may include payment of medical treatment, lost wages, compensation for impairment, and even a lifetime pension (if applicable). The tricky part in receiving these benefits, however, is in knowing exactly how to file for them. The following answers some of the most common questions in terms of filing for workers’ compensation benefits.

How Does the Filing Process Work (in General)?

The process begins with a work-related injury or the diagnosis of an occupational disease.  If an employee sustains a work-related injury, they should immediately take two vital actions.  The order of these actions depends on the need for immediate medical care.  If the injury does not require emergency treatment, the employee should let their employer know that they were injured.  Most employers will have an injured employee complete an accident report; this will document the events leading up the accident.  The employee should carefully review this document for accuracy, especially if they are asked to sign it.

An injured employee should also immediately visit a physician to diagnose and treat the injury. The injured employee is free to choose their own provider, so long as the provider has been approved by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).  The employee should let their provider know that their injury occurred in the workplace.  The provider will then complete an initial report of accident and submit this report to L&I.  An injured employee must file their workers’ compensation claim within one year of the alleged injury; or, in the case of an occupational disease, within two years from the time they are diagnosed with a work-related illness.

These actions should result in L&I receiving proper documentation of an industrial injury or occupational disease.  A determination will be made as to whether or not a claim is allowed, but in the interim, an employee should be entitled to receive treatment and/or timeloss on a provisional basis.  If a claim is allowed by L&I, then an injured employee is entitled to benefits under the law.  However, if the claim is rejected, benefits are not available unless a protest or appeal is successful.

How to Protest or Appeal a Workers’ Compensation Denial?

If a claim is denied, the order denying benefits must include the reasons for denial and the deadline to file a protest or appeal.  The first recourse for an injured employee is to protest the unfavorable decision with L&I.  L&I will review the claim again, along with any additional documentation provided.  This review will determine whether the initial order was correct.  After review, if the claim remains denied, then an appeal may be made to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA).

If the BIIA grants appeal, an Industrial Appeals Judge will conduct a hearing (similar to a legal trial) in order to determine if the initial denial should be upheld.  If the Board affirms the denial, then other remedies may still be available.  These include appealing the case to a three-member panel of judges at the BIIA or a Superior Court trial.

Is a Washington Workers’ Compensation Attorney Necessary for Filing a Claim?

The quick answer is that an attorney is not necessary but is typically preferred. Employees can definitely choose to file a workers’ compensation claim on their own. However, there are many benefits for seeking the assistance of an experienced Washington workers’ compensation attorney.

What are these benefits? Well, an experienced attorney will understand the system and will have knowledge of what immediate actions need to take place. Further, an experienced attorney will be able to recognize any difficulties in obtaining benefits and can act and advise in accordance with these difficulties. In addition, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be able to argue on an employee’s behalf, protect the employee’s best interests, and ensure that all necessary filing timelines are met. Finally, an attorney is invaluable in terms of providing a successful result on appeal if an initial claim is denied.

The Phillips Law Firm is here to Help

Our firm has years of experience in assisting injured parties capture their L&I benefits. If your employer is not following through with their obligations or your legitimate L&I claim is denied we can help you get you the compensation you deserve. Our workers’ compensation legal team is tireless in their efforts and demanding on the system.

We understand the entire process of filing a workers’ compensation claim can be archaic and complex. We are here to answer your questions and help simplify the process. Simply contact us today and let us assist in healing your injuries.

Catastrophic injuries such as, brain injuries, paralysis, loss of arms or legs, and severe or progressive lung or heart disease often require costly modifications to a victim’s home. These costs may be covered by L&I for workers suffering from approved catastrophic injuries. The modifications must be deemed necessary to meet the worker’s needs for safety, mobility, or activities of daily life.

Who Qualifies?

A worker who has experienced a job-related catastrophic injury resulting in permanent physical impairment may be eligible. To qualify for a home modification, you must have an open worker’s compensation claim or be receiving a pension by decree of permanent and total disability.

If your claim has been closed and the closure is final, you must file a written application to reopen the claim. To open a claim, objective medical evidence must show the condition caused by the industrial injury or occupational disease has worsened since the claim was closed. Claims cannot be reopened solely for home modifications.

What Home Modifications Will L&I Pay For?

Examples of qualifying modifications include, widening doorways, installing ramps, and modifying the primary bathroom.

L&I can modify only one home (house, duplex, apartment, condominium, manufactured or mobile home) to help maintain your basic needs for safety, mobility, and daily living. You do not need to own or rent the home, but you must consider it your permanent residence. The home must be structurally sound and meet state safety requirements. Modifications must meet local and state codes.

If prior modifications need repair or replacement, or if your condition changes, L&I may consider additional modification for the same home.

L&I may pay the difference between the construction of a standard unmodified home and a modified home in the case of new home construction.

How Are Modifications Identified and Paid For?

A consultant will be sent on behalf of L&I to meet with you and assess the home. The consultant will then send a report to L&I outlining all modifications and equipment necessary.

L&I can pay up to the state’s average annual wage that is in effect on the date a request for modification is approved.

The state’s average annual wage is determined by the Washington State Department of Employment Security.

If you have questions regarding an L&I claim for home modification don’t hesitate to call Phillips law Firm for more information or to discuss your case with one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys.

Federal Judge Douglas P. Woodlock who is presiding over the Granuflo multidistrict litigation (MDL) has recently schedule a status conference. This status conference will centralize similar Fresenius dialysis lawsuits involving injuries from Granuflo and Naturalyte. The conference, scheduled for August 30, 2013, will provide Judge Woodlock the opportunity to meet with legal counsel to review the structure and organization for the consolidated proceedings and to discuss pending motions. The first scheduling conference will take place in the Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston, according to the July 29th judicial order.

MDL 2428: in Re: Fresenius Granuflo/Naturalyte Dialysate Products Liability Litigation is proceeding in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and was established in April to better manage the growing number of Granuflo and Naturalyte lawsuits filed in state and district courts throughout the country.

Granuflo and Naturalyte Side Effects

The dialysis injury lawsuits allege that Fresenius, the manufacturer of Granuflo and Naturalyte, withheld important information about adverse Granuflo side effects. Granuflo and Naturalyte are composed of the same basic ingredients, but are sold in powdered and liquid forms. Plaintiffs allege that Fresenius failed to warn healthcare providers about the importance of monitoring patient’s bicarbonate levels. Both products were shown to increase bicarbonate levels, leading to problems with low blood pressure, hypokalemia, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, cardiac arrhythmia and cardiopulmonary arrest.

In an internal memo, which was later leaked to the FDA, Fresenius found evidence of more than 900 incidents of heart attacks in dialysis patients using their products during 2010. In 2012, the FDA issued a Class I recall, and since that time, a growing number of patients and their families have made a connection between their injuries and Fresenius’ products.

As of July 10, at least 188 Granuflo and Naturalyte lawsuits have been transferred to MDL before Judge Woodlock. Court documents indicate that 700 additional cases are pending filing in forty-six states and many more are expected.

Phillips Law Firm Available for Assistance

In light of the latest developments, the Phillips Law Firm, which offers nationwide legal service, is prepared to offer experienced legal counsel to anyone in need of further information about Granuflo lawsuits.

If you or someone you love has been harmed after using Granuflo during dialysis, it is important to know that you are not alone. The national Granuflo lawsuit attorneys at Phillips Law Firm can help. We represent patients across the United States who have been injured or hurt after taking a dangerous drug. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Granuflo lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

For years, young children have been prescribed antipsychotic medications to help with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. One of those drugs, Risperdal, has been tied to serious side effects, including an increased risk for developing diabetes and gynecomastia in young boys. Young boys in particular, who are prescribed Risperdal before or during puberty, are at an increased risk for developing this particular disorder. Gynecomastia is the abnormal development of breast tissue in young boys. The psychological ramifications of this disorder are far-reaching and many of these teens and young adults are required to undergo double mastectomies to surgically remove their breast tissue. These boys face ridicule, depression, and decreased self-esteem, in addition to the physical side effects. Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication that was marketed by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of bi-polar disorders and schizophrenia in 1993. It is believed that when young boys began taking this medication, the pituitary glad released prolactin that led to the development of breast tissue. It can cause symmetrical breast development or it can cause uneven or even unilateral breast development. Boys who develop gynecomastia often require surgery to correct it. While liposuction can remove the breast tissue in mild cases, more severe cases often require double mastectomies and cosmetic surgery. In 2012, Johnson & Johnson settled the first Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit with 21-year-old Aron Banks. Banks argued that he suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of the condition after taking the drug since the age of 9.

National Risperdal Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love has developed gynecomastia after taking the dangerous drug Risperdal, it is important to seek legal help immediately. The national Risperdal lawsuit attorneys at Phillips Law Firm can help. We represent patients across the United States who have been injured or hurt after taking a dangerous drug. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Risperdal lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.