Disability Benefits: An Overview

Found on www.prlog.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

 

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 10, 2011 - Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) is not an immediate guarantee that you will receive disability payments. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), in addition to the long application process, there is an automatic five-month waiting period for SSD benefits to ensure that during the early months of disability they don't pay benefits to persons who do not have long-term disabilities.

The Brooklyn New York and Nevada Social Security Disability law firm of Harold Skovronsky points out that Social Security disability benefits will be paid beginning with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.

Additionally, in a 2010 press release Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, disclosed that the average SSD application and appeals process for hearing decisions takes 442 days (socialsecurity.gov/

pressoffice/pr/hearings-backlog-0310-pr.htm). That's more than a year that most SSD applicants must wait, often going months at a time without hearing anything about their Social Security Disability case. So what can you do to change that? Unfortunately, not much. Millions of Americans file for Social Security Disability every year, but due to a backlog of cases, most applicants won't even receive an initial decision on their claim for at least three months from the time they apply.

Hiring a Social Security Disability legal advocate to help you with your claim from the very beginning can significantly improve your chances of receiving an approval for your benefits on the SSA's initial decision, but you will still have to wait for your claim to be processed. There are some things you can do while waiting for the initial decision or appeals process however, that will improve your chances of receiving SSD benefits even more.

Stay Alert

Harold Skovronsky recommends that you keep on top of your claim at all times. When the SSA sends you forms to fill out, you usually only have ten days to fill them out and send them back. If you don't complete their forms in time, you could be denied benefits based on a "lack of cooperation." Because of the financial hardships most people encounter while waiting for their SSD, many applicants move around. Don't assume that mail from the SSA will be forwarded. Make sure the SSA always has your current address and phone number. Send your address change to the local SSA office, and be sure to keep a copy of your address change notification letter.

Continue with All Doctors' Appointments

You can be visibly suffering in from of an SSA or Administrative Law judge, but your Social Security Disability eligibility depends on your medical records; if you haven't been to a doctor in the last year and have no records of your disability, your benefits will be denied. If you don't have medical insurance, go to free clinics or see if you qualify for insurance through the state you live in. Even more importantly, make sure to go to any and all doctor appointments that the SSA sets for you. If you can't make it to an appointment that they have scheduled, call the SSA and have them reschedule it.

Keep Medical Records Organized

The SSA will subpoena your medical records for your claim, but they almost never have a complete set. Always maintain a comprehensive record of your medical records, including all doctors and specialists you have seen, the dates of your appointments, types of medication and/or therapies you have been prescribed, etc. If you are denied benefits you can always submit additional medical records the court may be missing for your appeal. Additionally, if you choose to hire an SSD advocate, they will be much more prepared to handle your case with a complete set of medical records to look at.

Keep a Written Journal

It's easy to remember how you felt yesterday or last week; it's a lot more difficult to remember how you felt or what you were capable of doing two years ago. However, you may just have to testify about your activities going back that far. By keeping a journal of your activities and pain levels, you can testify a lot more accurately, and an appeals judge is going to give your testimony a lot more consideration. You don't have to write a novel, just summarize your pain and what you can and can't do once a month. If anything serious happens, make a note of it for the day.

Don't Worry

Getting approved for Social Security benefits takes time - it many cases, a lot of time. If you're unable to work due to a disability, it can be really easy to go broke while waiting for your benefits. Try to be patient, and don't panic. Before applying for SSD benefits, plan on the process taking at least two years or more. If it takes less time - great! If it ends up taking two years, you will have been prepared and hopefully had a financial plan for making it through these two years. The best thing you can do is to keep going, and don't let the SSA get you down. Keep appealing your SSD claim, keep seeing your doctors, and remain patient.

For further information about this process, visit http://www.completedisabilitylawyers.com or call 718-336-8886.

# # #

If you are unable to work due to a serious illness or injury, you may be entitled to receive Social Security disability or SSI benefits.

But, the application process can be difficult. The rules are complex and the paperwork can be overwhelming. Most disability claims are rejected by the government, leaving claimants frustrated and confused.

Ford Makes Driveway Car-Washing Easy and Fun with Tips and Video

Found on www.sacbee.com/ and brought to you by Car Repair Salinas

By Ford Motor Company

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 - 5:06 am

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 10, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Saving a few dollars, getting a little exercise in the sun or prepping your classic for a summer cruise are just a few reasons to clean your vehicle by hand.  

Besides, a freshly-washed and cleaned car just looks better, right?

Here are a few tips from Ford for the next time you're in the mood to grab a hose and a bucket to make the star of your driveway look its best.

Visit www.TheFordStory.com to watch "Ford Makes Car-Washing Easy," a short and entertaining video featuring Gerry Bonanni, senior engineer, Paint and Body Repair and the Ford GT Mustang.  

Cleaning your car's exterior:

• Be well-soaked: Make sure the car is fully rinsed off first and kept wet during the wash. You want to float the dirt off the surface

• Use the right soap: Ford recommends soap specifically formulated for cars. "Even a mild dishwashing liquid can strip wax protection and possibly cause waterspotting concerns," said Gerry Bonanni, senior engineer, Paint and Body Repair

• Grab your mitt: Ford recommends a sponge or wool mitt. Keep the sponge or mitt wet and sudsy to help float the dirt away instead of rubbing or scratching the surface

• Start at the top: Wash the top, then the sides and save the bottom for last, which is where the most grit typically accumulates

• Dry it off: Use a water blade and a soft towel to fully dry the vehicle

• Wax on: Ford recommends waxing your car to help keep the surface protected

• Wiper blades: Use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Each Ford vehicle undergoes a five-layer paint process designed to enhance long-term durability. The procedure starts with a pretreatment that protects against corrosion and ends with a clearcoat that aids in reducing chips and scratches.

Cleaning your car's interior:

• Instrument panel: Wipe the instrument panel, interior trim areas and cluster lens with a clean, damp white cotton cloth, then use a clean and dry white cotton cloth to dry those areas. Household or glass cleaners are not recommended

• Vacuum: For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and safety belts, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and loose dirt

• Use the right cleaners: Ford recommends using auto-specific carpet and upholstery cleaner for light stains. If grease or tar is present, Ford recommends spot-cleaning the area first with an auto-specific spot-and-stain remover

• For leather seats: For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap-and-water solution. Dry the area with a soft cloth. Leather cleaning products designed for automotive interiors also are available

Summer-specific issues

Ford recommends never washing a vehicle that is hot to the touch or during exposure to strong, direct sunlight. In addition to warm weather, summer also presents other challenges when it comes to keeping your car looking nice. When you're hit with the following, try to clean off quickly and follow these tips:

• Bird droppings, bugs, suntan lotion, insect repellent: Wash off with car wash soap and water as soon as possible
• Tree sap and tar: Use a good quality bug and tar remover and wax afterward
• Bothered by bugs? Going on a long trip and don't want to face a windshield and/or bumper full of dead insects by the time you arrive? Wipe down your windshield with a tumble dryer sheet; bugs won't stick to the glass as easily. Also, give your bumpers the once-over with cooking spray
• Don't scratch it; smear it: Can't get that sticker from the amusement park or beach parking lot off your window? Saturate it with cooking oil before you start scrubbing

Here are a couple of tips aimed at those who display their vehicles at car shows.

To clean aluminum wheels and wheel covers:

• Use wheel and tire cleaner. Heavy dirt and brake dust accumulation may require a little elbow grease with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream of water
• Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or covers

To clean the engine:

• Take care when using a power washer. The high-pressure fluid could penetrate sealed parts and cause damage
• Do not spray a hot engine with cold water. You could crack the engine block or other engine components
• Use specially formulated engine shampoo and degreaser
• The battery and filters need to be covered when cleaning. Refer to your owner's manual
• Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the running engine may cause internal damage
• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well, or the area in and around these locations

Be sure to refer to your vehicle owner guide for more cleaning and care information.

About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

 

Court Sees Internet Information As Less Credible

Found on www.prlog.org/ and brought to you by Lawyer Salinas

Jul 31, 2011 – (Ancaster, Canada)—The New York Supreme Appellate Court, in a case about Internet-based defamation, ruled that Google did not have to release information regarding an anonymous e-mailer who criticized Sandals Resorts for discriminatory hiring practices. The reason, in part: alleged defamatory remarks posted on the Internet are given less credence.

“The Internet has facilitated an explosion of information,”

says Dr. Nick Bontis, author of “Information Bombardment: Rising Above the Digital Onslaught.” “Because our lives are oversaturated with data, every day we struggle to know what is important and what is not, what is true and what is not.”

The judge in the case described the Internet as an environment where anything goes and where communications are freewheeling. Because of this environment, in the court’s unsubstantiated judgment, people see defamatory statements as opinions rather than fact.

According to Dr. Bontis, we have an insatiable thirst for all types of information whether it’s credible or not. Information is today’s addiction, and we hunger for the latest news, gossip, and trends. But we also want to express our own ideas and opinions. The Internet provides a place where these desires become reality.

“It’s not clear, as the court assumes, that we are adapting well to a world of information bombardment,” says Dr. Bontis. “For instance, many people simply do not read between the lines and do in fact believe what is written in the blogs, articles, and tweets they follow. That presents a major problem when opinion, bias, propaganda, and hidden agendas are sold as truth. The judges contend that we are learning information discernment. What I often see is just the opposite.”

Dr. Bontis describes a number of negative effects caused by today’s information onslaught, including:

* Growing incidences of defamation
* Companies and individuals spreading disinformation to impact rivals
* Anonymity and screen names becoming accepted standards
* More and more opinion sites passing themselves off as news sites
* Erroneous, questionable information flooding the Web
* Organizational failures due to information leaks and bottlenecks

“In this new era, knowledge is power,” says Dr. Bontis. “But we cannot mistake all information for knowledge. We must discern between real knowledge and junk. If we can do this, knowledge sharing becomes much easier. That’s the key point when considering information bombardment.”

In Dr. Bontis’ book, discernment is discussed in detail along with solutions to help deal with information bombardment, including tools that will be imperative in order to survive the World “Wild” Web.

About the author:
Dr. Nick Bontis was named a 2010 top five speaker worldwide for management and one of the world’s top management gurus of 2010, along with such luminaries as Jack Welch, Tom Peters, Michael Porter, and Jim Collins. He is an internationally sought-after management consultant and keynote speaker, hand-picked by the United Nations, the US Navy, Microsoft, IBM, Accenture, KPMG, Century 21, and others to help navigate the knowledge era. He is a popular TV and radio personality, a leading academic researcher, and an award-winning, tenured professor of strategic management at McMaster University. As one of the world’s most-cited authors in the fields of intellectual capital and knowledge management, he has amassed over a dozen prestigious teaching and research awards. He was recently recognized as a 3M National Teaching Fellow, an exclusive honor bestowed upon the top professors in the nation.

For more information, contact Dr. Bontis at nick@bontis.com or visit www.InformationBombardment.com.

A Thumbnail Sketch of the Lemon Law

Found on www.huffingpost.com/ and brought to you by Car Repair Salinas

 

Steve Lehto

Writer, professor, practicing attorney

 

Ever have a car that just couldn't be fixed? It seems we've all owned a bum car at one time or another. The mysterious engine hesitation or surge the dealer couldn't pinpoint; the weird noise everyone can hear but no one can silence. Or, the car which breaks down repeatedly -- to the point where the mechanic shakes in fear when he sees the car being towed back in. These cars are "Lemons" and are the subject of "Lemon Laws" in all fifty states. While everyone is familiar with the concept of the lemon automobile, not everyone is so clear on the law. Most people don't worry all that much about it until they find themselves with one.

I am an attorney and have spent 20 years dealing almost exclusively with lemon laws, representing consumers who have defective automobiles. I'll give you the brief version of what everyone should know about lemon laws. First, all fifty states now have Lemon Laws. While they vary slightly from state to state, they all have common themes. In a nutshell, the typical lemon law says that your new car is a lemon if it has been subjected to a certain number of repairs for the same substantial problem or if it has spent a certain number of days in the shop being repaired within the first year of ownership. Seems simple but you need to note a few things.

First, most lemon laws only apply to new cars. While this can get tricky - some states consider demonstrator cars "new," for example - you cannot assume these laws will protect you on a used car purchase. Your car is New? The next step is to find out if the problem you are having is "substantial"? The laws don't always define what this is so you will have to ask yourself if the defect would impair the car's use or value (and in some states, the safety). Obviously, if the car won't start or catches fire, then it is a substantial problem. Wind noise? The sunroof leaks during monsoons? These may not be so clear.

Assuming you have a substantial problem, then you need the requisite number of repair attempts or days in the shop. And, some states say that the repair attempts must fall within a certain time frame. For example, in Michigan, the first repair must occur within the first year and all four must fall within the first two years. This will vary by state. If your car has been in the shop four or five times, consult a local lawyer and know the answer to those two questions: When did you first bring it in and how many times did you bring it in?

Some vehicles suffer problems that cannot be repaired or diagnosed quickly and spend some of their early lives sitting at dealerships, unrepaired. If your vehicle has been in the shop more than 20 days, consult an attorney. In some states, the threshold is 25 days and in some it's 30. When you hit the magic number, your vehicle is a lemon.

Some states will ask you to notify the manufacturer that you believe your vehicle is a lemon and offer them a "last chance" to repair it. This demand letter is important because up until you send it, the manufacturer may be unaware of the problems you are having with your car. The manufacturer may or may not follow up on the letter but you still need to send it since the law probably requires it.
The reason the manufacturer is notified is that it is not the dealer who is on the hook for the lemon law; it is the manufacturer. If your vehicle is a lemon and you prevail under the lemon law, the manufacturer must do one of two things. They will have to either replace the vehicle for you with one of equal value or refund your money to you, in essence, buying the vehicle back from you for what you paid for it.

You may be required to give up a mileage offset, based upon how many miles you drove the vehicle before the first repair attempt. These were the trouble free miles - in theory - you put on the vehicle so this makes sense on some level.

Here's the really good news: Most lemon laws require the manufacturer to pay your attorney's fees and court costs for you if you prevail in one of these cases. This means that in most states, you can find attorneys who will handle your case and not charge you anything for attorney's fees.

You should also keep in mind that while I refer to "cars" above, the lemon laws in most states also cover pickup trucks and SUVs. They may cover RVs and boats, but that will vary wildly by state. The good news here is a Federal law called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act which offers protection to a consumer who has bought any consumer product that came with a warranty. It is not limited to cars or trucks and also offers attorney's fees and costs paid by the manufacturer of the defective product.

And always, consult a local attorney if you think your car or truck (or consumer product) is a lemon.

Steve Lehto is an attorney in Michigan and has taught Consumer Protection as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law. He is the author of The New Lemon Law Bible: Everything the Smart Consumer Needs to Know About Automobile Law.