It’s In The Hands

DISCLAIMER: The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the client’s cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client’s case.

When Steve came to The Packard Law Firm, his eyes were on the ground. After 20 years as a tough and hard-working ranch hand, it was hard for him to admit to himself that he was a broken man; financially, emotionally, and physically. He was never one to cry for help, but after the car wreck and the back pains that followed, not even his fellow ranch hands could keep covering for him.

Steve filed for Social Security disability on his own twice, and he was denied both times. The Social Security Administration explained that “although your condition prevents you from being able to perform your past work, you are still capable of performing other work that is less physically demanding.” In other words, the judge said: “Just because you can’t be a ranch hand anymore doesn’t mean that you can’t do any kind of work.”

A Brief Meeting with Our Attorneys Revealed A Way to Secure Steve’s Benefits

When Steve came to the Packard Law firm, he met with Dustin Draper, who was the Social Security disability lawyer who would be working on Steve’s case. After five minutes with Steve, Dustin was able to uncover why Steve lost his hearing. Steve was only focusing on his recent back pain. In reality, the years of hard work had taken its toll on various parts of Steve’s body—most notably in his hands. Steve had never gone to the doctor for most of these medical problems because he was the kind of man who just worked through the pain. By the time Steve got to the law office, his hands were worn and unable to perform basic finger movements such as typing or writing for more than 15 minutes at a time. The truth was that Steve’s back prevented him from doing a stand-up job, and his hands prevented him from doing a desk job. However, this was not proven the first two times Steve applied for his benefits. When Dustin asked Steve why he had never gone to the doctor for his hands, Steve simply replied, “I had friends at work who covered for me when I needed to use both hands.”

With New Evidence, Benefits Were Approved

Dustin helped Steve understand what kind of medical evidence he needed in order to win his case, and Dustin coordinated with Steve to identify a reputable specialist who would help. Sure enough, the doctor ordered several medical tests showing that Steve had severe carpal tunnel syndrome. This was the evidence Dustin needed to prove that Steve could not do a desk job. Dustin and his team were then able to paint a picture with the medical records illustrating the full scope of Steve’s limitations. Dustin was able to explain how the combined effect of Steve’s lower back injury and his hand limitations were enough to qualify Steve for Social Security Disability, and the judge agreed. Steve was approved!

Where shame and desperation once ruled, hope and happiness returned. Steve walked out of the Packard Firm’s office with his head held high. He looked Dustin straight in the eye and said: “Thank you for being there for me and pointing me in the right direction.”

Social Security Disability Benefits Approved