Tucson Social Security Disability Blog

Should I Read My Fully Favorable Decision?

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You finally get the good news in the mail. There, on paper and in black and white, is a decision in your favor.  It says so right in the title: Notice of Decision — Fully Favorable. So, should you sit down and carefully read over every word?

Nothing To Read Here

The answer is no.

Don’t Let Jargon Confuse You

It may seem like odd advice to not read something that is not only good for you but is about you. So why not read the decision? I can think of a few reasons.  First, the fully favorable decision, like any government document, is filled with jargon.  If you don’t know the code, you can easily misunderstand what the decision says.  A common mistake is when people read about their date last insured and think this means that their benefits will end on that date.  This is a perfectly logical reading of that information.  But it is also wrong.

Ignorance Is Bliss

In addition, even in a decision fully in your favor, there may be parts you don’t like. An ALJ may say you are disabled. But, that ALJ might first detour into commenting on your character, or how truthful you are, or if you have substance abuse problems.  Ignorance is bliss, especially when it comes to criticism that does not change the outcome.  Even if the ALJ does not tackle any sensitive subjects, she still might make small errors of fact. For some people, these sorts of errors are stressful.  Some clients want corrections, even though they have already won.

You Feel Better Now?

Read Two Words And Stop

What’s On TV?

When you get a decision in your favor, I suggest you read only two words of it. Best of all, they are right there on the first page: Fully –Favorable. Stop reading there, assured you have not missed anything important. 

Did you read your favorable decision? Did it make you angry? Stress you out? Let me know.

Hearing scheduled? Call Today.

If Social Security has scheduled your disability case to be heard by one of their judges, call me immediately. Unlike many large law firms, I can move quickly to get your case ready to be won.

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About The Author

Since 1992, I have been helping the people of Southern Arizona get the benefits they are due. Before devoting all my efforts to assisting people with Social Security disability claims, I also handled such complex lawsuits as medical malpractice and products liability. I brought to my Social Security cases all the skills and attention to detail that I developed in the courtroom. I approach each Social Security disability case as if it were a million-dollar lawsuit. For the people trying to get Social Security benefits, their claim is every bit as important. Because I have personally handled so many Social Security cases, I have refined the skills I need to win your case for you. I have helped people win cases for every kind of ailment from arthritis to valley fever. At present, I am focused on helping those persons with neurological and orthopedic disorders. Because claims for people over age fifty bring additional complications, I particularly seek out those cases to work on. I regularly write about back and spine conditions on my blog. I actively seek out the latest information about orthopedic and neurological disorders to ensure I can represent my clients as effectively as possible. Because of my current focus, I regret that I am not able to take any cases for mental disorders. If you are over age fifty and suffer from any orthopedic or neurological disorder, please contact me at once.