Your disability lawyer in Augusta, GA understands your needs. The role that your physician can play in the success of your claim can be significant.
When estimating the ability of a patient to perform work-related activities, should a physician possess specific expertise?
Even though a physician’s expertise will be considered when the Social Security Administration (SSA) weighs his or her opinion, your disability lawyer in Augusta, GA knows that special training or expertise is not required in order to render a pertinent opinion regarding a patient’s work ability.
According to the SSA, a physician has the information and perspective necessary to render a valid contribution to the determination of disability. Of course, your disability lawyer in Augusta, GA realizes that cases vary, but typically the opinion of a physician who has been involved in a patient’s treatment for a long period of time is more valuable than one who has only seen the patient once or twice, especially if the patient is seen only for an evaluation of disability and not for ongoing treatment.
Should a physician refer a patient for a functional capacity evaluation?
Your disability lawyer in Augusta, GA will usually advise against referring a patient for evaluation. A functional capacity evaluation is never required by the SSA, most likely because an evaluation typically does not accurately answer a question essential to determining disability: What capacity does the patient have to perform work activities on a sustained full-time basis?
Many times for claimants younger than 50 the question becomes whether the capacity exists to perform sedentary work on a full-time basis. This means that the claimant must be able to walk or stand for two hours each day on an intermittent basis, sit for a total of 6 hours during a typical 8-hour day, frequently be able to lift light objects and periodically lift objects weighing 10 pounds.
Your disability attorney in Augusta, GA is aware that often a functional capacity evaluation assumes a patient is capable of performing sedentary work when he or she is incapable of performing work requiring more exertion. However, observing a patient for several weeks in a work simulation is necessary to accurately determine his or her capacity to perform sustained sedentary work, which is something your disability attorney in Augusta, GA would advise is very expensive.
Contact a disability lawyer in Augusta, GA
Determining disability is a complex process. If you would like the legal assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable disability attorney in Augusta, GA, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.