d’Oliveira & Associates has recently obtained an award for a Cranston woman whose case was brought before the Social Security Disability Administration. The former school teacher of 16 years (whose name is withheld due to attorney-client privilege) was forced to leave her long time position after suffering from depression, COPD, constant bodily pain, complete loss of strength shortness of breath and pneumonia. All those ailments combined to leave her body unable to work for the past year and a half. She has received nearly $14,000 in past due SSD benefits and will be receiving over $1,400 per month for the rest of her life, along with an annual cost of living increase.
The woman, who had never before applied for Social Security Disability Benefits, contacted Attorney Laura Cameron of the law offices of d’Oliveira & Associates, who won her case and did not charge her any legal fee until she received her back due benefits.
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira stated “ I feel Attorney Laura Cameron did a great job here getting this woman on SSD so now she can be at peace knowing that her financial future is secure. This woman paid into the system as a school teacher all her life and is not a victim, like a lot of Conservative politicians would like us to believe. She spent a good portion of her life educating students who need to find good jobs in this difficult economy and we need to be more appreciative of our teachers, who are overworked and underpaid compared to other professions that have the same amount of education.”
As a first impression, it might seem rare that a person could suffer from so many ailments at once. However, it is not uncommon for symptoms such as anxiety and depression to begin manifesting themselves as chronic pain and total loss of strength. The Harvard Health Publications’ article “Depression and Pain” states, in regard to depression and physical pain, that “the relationship is intimate.” It highlights an unfortunate cycle wherein persons suffering from chronic pain are three times more likely to suffer from psychiatric symptoms such as depression and that persons suffering from depression are likewise three times more prone to developing chronic pain. In fact, the article speculates that if physicians treating patients with pain tested them for depression, they could discover that 60% of them currently suffer from an undetected form of depression.
Persons suffering from depression, chronic pain, weakness, and other disabilities that prohibit them from working may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. However, the task of approaching the Government and requesting such support can be a large and complex task. In fact, of all those persons who believe they qualify for benefits and request them, only a quarter of them will be approved the first time. That is why it is crucial to have an experienced social security disability lawyer that understands the system and procedure who can efficiently navigate the process and ensure that these people are not left on their own to fight for their own benefits.
If you or someone you know is disabled and cannot work, the attorneys at d’Oliveira & Associates want you to know that you may qualify for Federal Social Security Disability payments and benefits. d’Oliveira & Associates is a Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts law firm that focuses on disability and personal injury claims, including auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites as well as social security disability cases. The firm also works with some of the leading attorneys in the United States for dangerous drug, defective medical product and medical malpractice cases.
For a free legal consultation, call 1-800-992-6878 or visit their website at Social Security Disability Lawyer.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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