Our office has been working with “Social Security Claimants” for over two decades. Most Social Security applicants don’t understand what is involved in successfully presenting their case in front of an administrative law judge. First, it is important to understand that it is normally not enough to prove that you can’t work at your last job. Instead you must prove that you have a “medically determinable disability” which prevents you from engaging in any “substantial gainful employment”. The word “substantial” is important because you can earn a small amount of wages and still be eligible for disability benifits. The amount is set by the Social Security Administration and can change from time to time. If you are already engaging in substantial employment, then you are not eligible to obtain disability benifits.Secondly, there are regulations which Social security attorneys refer to as “the Grid”. The Social Security Administration recognizes different standards for claimant’s of different ages, levels of education and  work backgrounds. Once the appropriate standards are determined,  an attorney can determine whether the medical recods are adaquate to support the claim for disability. If not, an attorney may pose specific questions to a claimant’s treating doctor[s]. Thirdly, it is  important for an attorney to help his client quantify his complaints in a specific manner. A claimant may be asked, “How much can you lift”. A bad answer would be “not very much”. An answer like this doesn’t help to describe the claimant’s limitations. It should be noted that  Social Security judges refer to something called “The Dictionary of Occupational Titles” for job information. This source describes the exertional requirements of all classified jobs which exist in the national economy. It is up to the claimant’s attorney to prove that his client can’t perform any substantial work for which he is qualified. In addition, “Social Security Judges” will often bring “vocational rehabilitation counselors” into a hearing in order to get clarifications as to the claimant’s “work background”, “work restrictions” and the requirements of various jobs. An attorney must be prepared to effectively challenge the vocational counselor’s testimony through effective cross-examination.Finally,  Social Security Hearings are informal and usually take about an hour, although they can vary in length , depending on the judges fomat and the complexity of the case. Your attoney will know the various judges at the “Downtown SSA Office” and the “Creve Couer SSA Office”.  Be sure to dress appropriatly, as it is important to create a favorable impression.  In short, preparation is the key to winning your case, so talk to your attorney ask him what you can do to help your cause. Submitted by Jeff Swaney FREE CONSULTATION 314-481-7778

The Swaney Law Firm will celebrate its 25^th year of business on April 1, 2009. The firm was founded by Jeff Swaney who was eager to set up his own practice. At first, the practice was confined to friends, relatives and acquaintances, but soon the practiced blossomed.

In the late 80’s, Jeff Swaney took out his first yellow pages advertisement. Eventually, the firm grew and the advertising grew. Over time, the firm became somewhat famous for the fact that a picture of the firm members appeared on the back of the Yellow Pages Directory.

In the early years members of the firm worked exclusively in the South St. Louis area. Clients were seen at the South City office located on Hampton Avenue. Attorneys would schedule appointments with Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Traffic clients. Eventually, the firm began handling Bankruptcy and Debt Collector Harassment and Abuse cases. As the firm grew, it began getting clients from surrounding communities like Affton, Marlborough, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Maplewood, Brentwood, Clayton, University City, Crestwood and Sunset Hills.

After several years, another office was established in Overland. With the opening of that office members of the firm began to represent clients from St. Ann, Florissant, University City, the outskirts of Clayton, St. Charles and Maryland Heights. In time, the firm decided to relocate its North County office to Bridgeton. The firm was able to expand its base of operation and began obtaining clients from Hazelwood, Florrisant, Olivette, and St. Charles, Creve Couer, Manchester, Ballwin and Chesterfield. A South County office soon followed, and this move expanded the firm’s clientele into the South County area. The firm began seeing a flow of clients from LeMay, Hillsboro, High Ridge, Oakville, Arnold, Valley Park and Fenton.

At one point, the firm experimented with opening two offices in St. Charles County. The first office was located in St. Charles and the second office was located in Weldon Springs. Eventually the firm decided that these locations were too remote, but by then, the firm had established a loyal clientele from St. Peters, O’Fallon Wentzville and St. Charles, and even from more remote areas like Cottleville, Defiance, Troy,Wright City and Warrenton.

Originally the firm concentrated it practice on handling Missouri Workers’ Compensation cases, Automobile Accident/Injury claims and Social Security Disability Claims. Eventually the firm expanded into the areas of Bankruptcy and Debt Collector Harassment and Abuse/Consumer Protection cases.

It is amazing that over the years we have also represented numerous individuals from remote places like Farmington, Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield and Moberly. At one point, when TWA was at its peak , there were numerous clients who were St. Louis based flight attendants but came from cities all across the country.

Illinois workmans compensation and personal injury clients also crossed the river from Belleville, Cahokia Alton Granite City, Edwardsville, Columbia, East St. Louis and Waterloo.

At this time, the firm would like to thank all of those people who have made our success possible. We are privileged to be celebrating 25 years in business and we hope that we will be able to provide vital legal services to injured workers, car accident victims, slip and fall victims, Social Security claimants, and those seeking services in the area of Bankruptcy and Debt Collector Harassment and Abuse.

Submitted by Jeff Swaney FREE CONSULTATION 314-481-7778

For More Information, Please Visit the Swaney Law Firm website