Florida Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

These are desperate times. Persons with disabilities who might otherwise find employment during good economic times, are without a chance during the Great Recession. That is why so many individuals with disabilities, are choosing to file for Social Security Disability, being unable to find work within their restrictions, in the national economy.

The large number of cases has overwhelmed the Social Security Administration and the Administrative Law Judges who must handle the cases. Waiting times in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, can be as long as two years. Unfortunately, violence and threats of violence have increased along the way. Between March and August of 2009, there were considerable threats of violence to individual Administrative Law Judges and staff. The statistics are available from the Association of Administrative Law Judges.

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Under the Florida workers' compensation laws, an injured worker may be entitled to aide and attendant care. That means, under a physician's prescription, an injured worker may be entitled to skilled or unskilled assistance with activities of daily living. These typically include, assistance with bathing, dressing, hygiene, etc. For example, an injured worker recovering from shoulder surgery, could have a difficult time putting on a shirt or tying shoes. A nursing or other similar service can be prescribed to assist the injured worker during recovery.

These benefits have been reduced significantly over the years, due to changes in the laws, according to Boca Raton workers' compensation attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq. Most recently, one Court denied lawn care services to an injured. worker.

Due to high unemployment, particularly in the construction trades, Florida workers' compensation carriers have seen a large drop in profits. As unemployment has soared, construction has virtually stopped in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Many construction workers have left the State, seeking employment elsewhere. According to the
Insurance Information Institute, this has resulted in a dramatic drop in the need for workers' compensation insurance and a huge loss of profitability. The cost of workers' compensation insurance has dropped precipitously.

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For an individual seeking Social Security Disability Benefits, an online application is the easiest and most efficient method. Social Security attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., recommends that individuals simply go the website, ssa.gov, which is the official government website. The SSA website will provide a check list of required information and directions for a relatively simple application process. For those not computer literate, the old fashioned way is a visit to the local Social Security office. The third method for application is to call the Social Security Administration directly at 800-772-1212 and schedule an appointment to apply via telephone.

Whichever method is used, Social Security Disability attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., serving Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, recommends that all applicants follow up with their physicians and make certain that they comply with record requests made by SSA.

What is the relationship between a recession and Social Security Disability? According to attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., a social security expert in Boca Raton, disabled individuals who might normally find work in a healthy economy, are totally shut out when unemployment is over 10%. According to Randy Zeldin, Esq., even marginally disabled workers have a smaller base of jobs from which to choose during a recession. The result is a dramatic increase in the number of Social Security Disability claims. Specifically, in 2009, there were 260,000 more Social Security Disability claims, or an 11% increase over 2008.

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