WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Workers’ compensation and

Social Security disability

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Examples of potential work injuries:

Getting into an accident while driving for work

Being hit by a negligent driver

Falling on a loading dock

Hurting your back picking up a box

Pain in your knees, hips, back or shoulders from doing

the same job every day for 30 years

How does the workers’

compensation system work?

First you give notice of the injury to your employer.

As soon as you are injured on the job, you should report your

injury, even if the injury does not cause you to miss time from

work.

Second and most important, see your own

doctor! (Whomever controls the medical controls

your destiny!)

Call an attorney experienced in workers’

compensation matters.

What should you do if you believe

you have suffered a work injury?

How long will it take for me to get paid?

What amount do I get paid?

How long can I get paid workers’ compensation

benefits?

Can I receive unemployment while I’m getting

workers’ compensation?

After suffering a work injury, you

may be wondering:

Even if your case has been denied, you must

continue to see your doctor.

See a qualified attorney.

Make sure your attorney specializes in workers’ compensation

only. Find out how many years of experience your attorney has.

Consider filing for unemployment.

What if my case is denied?

Continue to see your doctor.

Make sure all of your injuries have been

recognized.

You may also have psychological injuries due to your work

injury.

Make sure you are receiving the right amount of

compensation.

Is it a permanent or temporary acceptance?

Find out if you can apply for Social Security

disability.

What if my case is accepted?

If so, when?

How much?

Can I get a lump sum settlement when I’m on SSD?

Do I have to settle my own medical?

Can I collect Social Security retirement while on

workers’ compensation?

Can I collect a disability or retirement pension while on

workers’ compensation?

Can I get a lump sum settlement?

Do not sign any document presented by your

employer until it has been reviewed by your attorney.

If I return to work, does my medical stop?

What if I’m not making as much money?

What if I can’t continue or get injured again?

What if I return to work?

No fee unless you win your case.

You should never be charged a fee unless an attorney is

successful in representing you.

You should not have to pay an initial consultation fee.

By court order, an attorney can only charge up to 20% of the

settlement amount.

Case Strategy - Life Strategy

A good attorney will not only put together a strategy to win your

case, but they will put you on a better path in life.

What does an attorney do and how

do they get paid?

Social Security disability

5 Facts that every union member

should know now!

Disability is not an entitlement

or a handout…

YOU PAID INTO THE SYSTEM!

6.2% of every paycheck you receive goes into the Social

Security system and

Of that 6.2%, a majority goes to the Social Security

retirement fund a small amount is placed in the disability

trust fund.

You bought a private (disability) insurance policy!

You can receive Social Security

disability at any age… but age matters

Any worker, no matter what age, is eligible for Social

Security disability benefits.

You must consider applying for Social Security

disability benefits if you are out of work due to a medical

condition that is either physical or mental.

Why age matters…

For union members under 50 years old, you can

receive SSD if your medical conditions cause you to

stop performing your job AND preclude you from

performing any sedentary (sit down) job in the national

economy.

For union members over 50 years old, the rules are

more relaxed. You simply have to prove that your

medical conditions keep you from performing the job you

have done for the last 15 or more years.

Are you retired or close to retiring?

You can receive your FULL PENSION and Social

Security disability benefits at the same time!

Even if you retired within the past 5 years and you

have medical conditions that cause pain or problems, you

are eligible and should apply!

Many of your retired members are missing out on up

to an additional $2300.00 per month in SSD benefits.

You do not need to be bedbound

to be eligible

A union worker can receive Social Security disability benefits for any medical condition that keeps he/she out of work, including:

Herniated discs, back pain, neck pain

Shoulder issues

Bilateral knee pain

Carpal tunnel

Diabetes

Migraine headaches

Depression

Cancer

Your conditions do NOT have to be work-related!

Social Security disability benefits are

not permanent or temporary

You can receive SSD benefits for as long as you need

them.

As long as you are out of work, the benefits will continue.

If a union member is found disabled, the member can

return to work at ANY time without penalty or problem.

Receiving SSD benefits now is not a life sentence of

disability.

Why you should apply for Social

Security disability:

1: It does not cost anything to apply.

2: There is nothing to lose, nor will it affect your union

pension at all.

3: If you hire an attorney, the attorney only receives a fee if

you win and only a one-time fee of 25% of your retroactive

benefits. There is NO FEE from your monthly checks.

File your application

Be prepared to discuss all of your problems, both physical and

mental, and list all of your treating doctors. The application takes

only 30-45 minutes to complete and it is sent electronically to

Social Security.

Once filed, Social Security will contact your doctors and

review your medical records. This step takes approximately 4

months. (70% are denied here, but those over 50 years old have a

better chance of success!)

If you are denied, we will file an appeal and take you before an

Administrative Law Judge. You may wait 12 months or more for a

hearing, so do not delay if you are disabled.

HOW TO APPLY

We provide a

FREE consultation

800-568-7500 | www.pondlehocky.com