Maine Injury, Accident, & Disability Law Blog : Maine Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Joe Bornstein Law Firm : Portland Bangor Maine

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is pleased to announce the addition of new attorney, Talia D. Timmins. Timmins specializes in Social Security Disability and rounds out a staff of nine attorneys and over 50 legal professionals.

Attorney Timmins graduated from The George Washington University, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2004. Before joining the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, she practiced for 5 years at Genex Services, Inc. where she specialized in Social Security Disability cases.

Talia is a member of NOSSCR (the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives), MTLA (the Maine Trial Lawyers Association), and the Cumberland County Bar Association. Talia volunteers on a weekly basis as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers Greater Portland, a program of LearningWorks. Prior to relocating to Maine, Talia volunteered at MANNA, a Philadelphia organization that delivers meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses.

Attorney Timmons joins a distinguished Social Security Disability law team that has represented over 1,500 Mainers in Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims in over 35 years of practice. On average, our senior attorneys have more than 22 years of experience and are assisted by a support staff of 13 legal professionals dedicated to the practice of Social Security Disability law.

To receive benefits under the SSDIB or SSI programs, you must have a diagnosed physical or mental condition severe enough to keep you from working in any regular paying job for at least 12 months. The Social Security Administration will take into account your medical condition, your age, abilities, training, and work experience in deciding your case.

An initial denial of an application is common, most people go through the appeals process to get a favorable result. Nationally, about two-thirds of all applicants are denied benefits initially. You then have 60 days from the date of your denial to file an appeal. Although you could hire an attorney at any step, the most common time to do so is immediately after the initial denial letter is received. If you’ve been denied benefits, having an experienced attorney to represent you significantly improves the likelihood of a favorable result.

Examples of the ways in which our attorneys assist clients include:

• Advise and assist in obtaining appropriate medical examinations and treatment.
• Obtain and carefully review the Social Security file.
• Seek to reopen prior applications that were abandoned.
• Prepare the client to testify at the hearing.
• Protect the client’s right to a fair hearing by objecting to improper evidence and procedures.
• Cross-examine the expert witnesses at the hearing.
• Prepare and file a legal brief to the Administrative Law Judge.
• Respond to requests from the Administrative Law Judge for additional evidence after the hearing.
• When benefits are awarded, monitor the actions of the Social Security Administration to ensure that all are correctly calculated and paid.

Having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is often the key to being granted your disability benefits. If your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied, don’t give up. Call the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein today for a free and confidential consultation. Pay us a fee only if you win.

With a statewide practice and five convenient offices in Biddeford, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and Bangor, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is proud to help Mainers get the justice they deserve.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein – Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People
 

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A recession, rising unemployment rates, and state budget cuts are making Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application backlogs worse than ever.

The Social Security benefits program provides monthly benefits to those who have health problems that prevent them from working. To get Social Security benefits, one must prove they are severely disabled and are unable to work for more than a year. The claims process can take upwards of two years.

The Social Security benefits program has been experiencing rising claims levels due to the aging of the baby boomers. It now can add the recession as another influence. In 2009, the Social Security Administration (SSA) received 2.8 million initial benefits claims, an increase of 15 percent from 2008. The estimate for 2010 is 3.3 million applications.

In addition to the large increase in applicants, the Social Security benefits program is suffering due to the Social Security Administration paying states to handle claims. Cash-strapped states such as Maine are instituting statewide furlough programs which cause a delay in paying benefits. States that furlough all disability determination employees have an average of 14 percent less capacity than they need to handle claims. Currently, there are 13 states with full or partial furloughs.

From January through September of 2009, 30 states and the District of Columbia failed to meet federal standards that say they should pay at least 87 percent of unemployment claims within 14 to 21 days of the application. Nationwide, 2 million people received their first checks later than normal with some coming after more than 70 days. In an attempt to solve the problem, the U.S. Department of Labor has given states $150 million to improve their technology.

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we know how frustrating it can be when applying for Social Security benefits. If you’ve been denied benefits, don’t give up! In over 35 years of practice, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has helped over 15,000 Mainers get the justice they deserve.

With a dedicated Social Security Disability team featuring 4 attorneys and support staff of 12, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein will fight for the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation, and find out how we can help Tell The Federal Government You Mean Business!

For more information on the Social Security benefits program please visit: www.ssa.gov. 

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein – Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People
 

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As a special service to health care providers and their patients, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is proud to offer our Social Security Outreach Program. The program is designed to teach medical providers knowledge on the federal Social Security Disability program that they can then use to assist their patients. Our Outreach Program is free to health care providers and has been well received in the community.

Led by experienced and specialized Social Security attorneys, our Outreach Program travels to the offices of social workers, psychologists, case workers, and physiatrists to provide community support for Mainers who are prime candidates for Social Security Disability (SSDIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The attorneys lead a 20-30 minute power point presentation that covers the essential elements of the federal Social Security Disability program, followed by a question and answer session with the participating group. A typical outreach session lasts about an hour.

Our attorneys travel to the sessions with their own laptop computer and projector screen, which can easily be set up in a conference or lunch room. In addition to the informative presentation, our attorneys provide written materials to help make an often difficult process easy to understand. The efforts of our staff are completely Pro Bono, and are part of our attempt to educate Mainers on their legal rights.

In over 35 years of practice, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has helped over 15,000 clients with their Social Security Disability and personal injury claims. During this time, we have seen firsthand the lack of information available to Mainers who are in need of legal advice. Too often, misinformation is passed along to those who are need of benefits the most, and too often those that are dependent on these benefits are unable to receive them.

Since 1974, it has been our goal to give access to justice to Mainers throughout the state. As specialized injury and disability attorneys, we feel that it is our obligation to disabled Mainers to inform healthcare providers about our clients’ legal rights under the federal Social Security Disability program. Ultimately, it is the provider’s opinion that helps determine whether a client is eligible for disability benefits. This advanced Outreach Program continues our mission to provide access to justice to Mainers of all backgrounds throughout our great state.

Included in the presentation is information regarding:

• The difference between SSDIB and SSI.
• How a provider can help assist a patient apply for benefits.
• When to apply for benefits.
• What to do if denied.
• How to start a claim to appeal a denial.
• How long the benefits process typical takes.
• When an attorney should be contacted.
• What type of information will be required throughout the process.

If you or a loved one has been denied Social Security Benefits, contact the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein today, you may be entitled to compensation. And if you would like more information on our Social Security Outreach Program or to schedule a complimentary session, please contact Sue Gerrish at 207.772.4624.
 

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The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is pleased to announce the addition of two new attorneys, David R. Miller and Andrew J. Bernstein. The two lawyers specialize in Social Security Disability law and round out a staff of nine attorneys and 45 legal professionals.

Attorney Miller is an Orono native who graduated from the University of Maine School of Law. He served as Bangor’s Development Coordinator before entering private practice, and joins the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein with an expertise in Social Security Disability law. David is a member of NOSSCR (the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives), MOSSCR (the Maine Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives), MTLA (the Maine Trial Lawyers Association), the Maine State Bar Association, and the Penobscot County Bar Association. Outside of work he enjoys mountain biking and is a member of the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis club.

Attorney Bernstein is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Maine School of Law, and was admitted to the Maine state and federal courts in 1980. Andy was a litigation partner at Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson for 7 years, and has held leadership positions at Unum and Disability RMS, Inc. Andy is a member of the University of Maine School of Law Alumni Board and a Class Agent, and is currently the co-chair of the corporate lawyers section of the Maine Campaign for Justice. Andy is also a past President of Congregation Bet Ha'am, and has been a Cape Elizabeth Little League umpire.

Attorneys Miller and Bernstein join a distinguished Social Security law team that has represented over 1,500 Mainers in Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims in over 34 years of practice. On average, our senior attorneys have more than 22 years of experience and are assisted by a support staff of 11 legal professionals dedicated to the practice of Social Security Disability law.

To receive benefits under the SSDIB or SSI programs, you must have a diagnosed physical or mental condition severe enough to keep you from working in any regular paying job for at least 12 months. The Social Security Administration will take into account your medical condition, your age, abilities, training, and work experience in deciding your case.

An initial denial of an application is common, most people go through the appeals process to get a favorable result. Nationally, about two-thirds of all applicants are denied benefits initially. You then have 60 days from the date of your denial to file an appeal. Although you could hire an attorney at any step, the most common time to do so is immediately after the initial denial letter is received. If you’ve been denied benefits, having an experienced attorney to represent you significantly improves the likelihood of a favorable result.

Examples of the ways in which our attorneys assist clients include: 

• Advise and assist in obtaining appropriate medical examinations and treatment.
• Obtain and carefully review the Social Security file.
• Seek to reopen prior applications that were abandoned.
• Prepare the client to testify at the hearing.
• Protect the client’s right to a fair hearing by objecting to improper evidence and procedures.
• Cross-examine the expert witnesses at the hearing.
• Prepare and file a legal brief to the Administrative Law Judge.
• Respond to requests from the Administrative Law Judge for additional evidence after the hearing.
• When benefits are awarded, monitor the actions of the Social Security Administration to ensure that all are correctly calculated and paid.

Having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is often the key to being granted your disability benefits. If your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied, don’t give up. Call the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein today for a free and confidential consultation. Pay us a fee only if you win.

With a statewide practice and five convenient offices in Biddeford, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and Bangor, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is proud to help Mainers get the justice they deserve.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein – Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People
 

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May celebrates the first anniversary of Maine’s premier personal injury law blog. With nearly 100 unique posts in the past year, The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein’s blog has kept Mainers both informed and entertained. With up-to-date information on the latest current events in Maine, as well as ground breaking news on all things personal injury and Social Security Disability law related, visitors have been well-versed on all of the happenings in their home state.

In addition to keeping readers educated, our blog showcases our firm's good will throughout the state and highlights several worthy causes that we support. Seasonal safety tips, recent Supreme Court decisions, and special messages from attorney Joe Bornstein himself, add to the well-rounded blog that proves week-in and week-out to be a wealth of information.

If you missed out on any or all of our blog’s inaugural year, don’t despair. All of our blog posts have been archived and are readily accessible online for your enjoyment. And for our regular readers, we appreciate your support and hope that you keep coming back. We feel you’ll learn something new and useful each time you do.

Stay informed and stay involved, and most importantly stay-up-to-date on Maine’s premier personal injury law blog.

Joe Bornstein – The Lawyer You Need To Know – Now Has The Blog You Need To Read!

www.mainepersonalinjurylaw.com
 

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This Thursday, November 20, 2008, The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein will be extending our business hours once again for Mainers who do not have access to a phone during the daytime. Our office will remain open until 10pm to give Mainers throughout the state the opportunity to call us with their legal questions and speak directly with one of our experienced legal professionals.

Our staff will stand ready to answer your questions about:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Personal Injuries
• Social Security Disability
• Medical Malpractice
• Worker’s Compensation
• Maritime Injuries
• Injuries Related to Certain Prescription Drugs

We are the only law firm in the state of Maine to extend our business hours into the evening in an attempt to give Mainers an even greater access to justice. “Law Night” is a free service provided by The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein and a regular fee schedule is applied to all accepted cases.

Of course our office is open every day, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm. With a statewide practice and five convenient offices in Biddeford, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, and Bangor, you can be sure there’s a Law Offices of Joe Bornstein near you. And in the chance that you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.

So give us a call this Thursday Night and be part of Maine’s only “Law Night,” brought to you by The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein – Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People

Now After Dark On Law Night!

Law Night:
When: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time: 5pm - 10pm
Phone: 1-800-CALL-JOE (1-800-2255-563)
 

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There is good news for Maine attorneys who practice in the area of Social Security Disability Insurance Law and their clients.  Due to an increase in funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), the wait time for claims to be heard may be shortened.

The increase in funding is an effort by the SSA to hire more Administrative Law Judges, thereby decreasing the backlog of Social Security Disability Insurance cases.  This additional funding provided by the government will allow the hiring of 175 new judges and staff for their offices.

In response to the anticipated increase in Social Security Claims, The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has hired several new staff members to heighten the efficiency of our team, while allowing the firm to keep pace with the rising number of claims.

Our new Social Security lawyer is Tanna B. Whitman. She joins our established Social Security Team, which consists three Social Security attorneys and a support staff of eight case managers and case manager assistants.
 
In addition to our in house staff, our Social Security Outreach Team has developed a powerpoint presentation that demonstrates how our Social Security attorneys and case managers can be of assistance to the clients of non-profit agencies in Maine.  If you or your firm would like to learn more about Social Security Disability Law and how we can help your clients, please call  207-523-5835, and we will schedule your office for a presentation.  One of our attorneys would be happy to come to your office with our presentation and answer any questions you may have.

For more information on the increased funding for the Social Security Administration visit: www.ssa.gov or contact The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein.
 

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