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An Augusta Disability Lawyer Addresses Questions Regarding Ability to Stand

Disability Lawyer in Augusta

At some point during the processing of your case, you will probably be questioned about your strength and endurance. A skilled Augusta disability lawyer will help you prepare for these questions so that you can answer them correctly and fluently.

Standing

Your Augusta disability attorney can advise you that questions concerning your ability to lift, walk, stand and so on are relevant to your performance in the workplace. In order to give the judge an accurate picture of how long you can stand before you need to sit down, how long you need to sit before you can stand and how many times you can go through this cycle during the workday, you must answer the question in that light. By attempting to tell the judge that you can stand for perhaps an hour before the pain forces you to lie down, you may be giving the judge an incorrect impression as to your abilities.

Another View

Your Augusta disability attorney will also recommend that you be certain that you answer the question fully and with accurate depth. If you spent an hour or more ironing and had to rest afterward, the judge may conclude that you are able to remain standing continuously for at least an hour. The reality may be considerably less, and by giving workplace related descriptions you can explain the degree of tiredness or pain you experience if you stand, then sit, then stand again. As this goes on, the length of time you are able to stand may lessen considerably.

Sitting

A similar issue can be observed when a claimant is asked how he or she can remain seated without having to get up. Your Augusta disability attorney can point to the following example:

Judge: How long can you remain seated?
Claimant: I can stay seated for about fifteen minutes.

Your Augusta disability attorney will remind you that if the judge happens to check his or her watch and ascertains that you’ve been sitting in the hearing room for over an hour, you have just cast doubt on the truth of your own testimony. To avoid this, you can address the point that you’ve been sitting for over an hour in the hearing by pointing out to the judge that you have also been in pain for nearly as long.

Making the Point Clear for Augusta disability attorney

Your Augusta disability attorney will counsel you to expand on your point by explaining that fifteen minutes is the longest you can sit without pain or discomfort. In doing so you have provided an accurate, truthful and sensible answer to the question. Although you can, if forced to it, remain seated for extended periods you experience discomfort from which you will need time to recover. Again, this should be related to the workplace so that the judge has a clear picture of how long you can sit, stand, walk and repeat those actions in a normal working day.

Don’t Leave Anything to Chance

If you are involved in a Social Security disability case, how you answer questions is extremely important. Be sure you have the services of a skilled, dedicated and experienced Augusta disability attorney to guide you. Call us today.