Our firm successfully represented a woman in her late 50s who obtained Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits after years of debilitating medical conditions that left her unable to work.
Our client suffered from multiple serious impairments, including a reverse total shoulder replacement, degenerative disc disease of the spine, chronic cervical pain, and bilateral knee problems following a failed surgical procedure. Despite extensive treatment—consisting of surgery, injections, physical therapy, and pain management—her symptoms persisted. She experienced chronic pain, limited mobility, and relied on assistive devices to perform basic daily activities.
At her disability hearing, we presented a comprehensive medical record demonstrating the combined impact of her conditions. This included a detailed opinion from her treating physician, who confirmed that she could sit or stand for no more than two hours total in a workday, could rarely lift even ten pounds, and would miss work frequently due to pain and functional limitations. We clearly showed that her impairments prevented her from sustaining even sedentary employment on a full-time basis.
In addition to the medical evidence, we applied Social Security’s medical-vocational “grid rules” for older workers, explaining how her age, education, and severe physical limitations effectively removed her from the competitive workforce. By presenting the case within the correct legal framework, we demonstrated that she met the criteria for disability under Social Security law.
The Social Security Administration issued a fully favorable decision, awarding our client more than $40,000 in past-due benefits, along with ongoing monthly disability payments to provide long-term financial stability.
This case highlights the importance of experienced legal representation in SSDI and SSI claims, particularly at the hearing level. Winning disability benefits often requires more than submitting medical records—it demands strategic presentation of evidence, clear explanation of functional limitations, and precise application of Social Security rules. Through careful preparation and effective advocacy, we helped our client secure the benefits she had been seeking for more than a decade.
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