What is ERISA in North Carolina?

A few months ago we discussed ERISA.  What is it exactly?  ERISA stands for The Employee Income Security Act.  It went into effect just over 40 years ago.  It is designed to protect the assets of millions of Americans guaranteeing that funds are getting placed in their retirement plans so that they will be waiting for them at the end of their working lives.

You need to be aware of an important nuance of ERISA.  What happens if you or a loved one has been injured and disabled outside of the workplace?  ERISA disability benefits are provided by your employer in the event of illness or injury away from work.  Large corporations are notorious for denying these claims for as long as they can and have the stamina to make you wait for what is rightfully yours.

When you see this occur or about to happen you need to take action.  Alden B. Cole is a North Carolina ERISA disability attorney.  He has experience dealing with the large corporations who DO NOT have your best interest at heart.  Attorney Cole will defend your right to obtain every nickel entitled to you.  Call Alden Cole today to begin the process at his Wilmington office at (910) 231-2042.

Disabilities that Prevent You From Full Time Work in North Carolina.

When you are considering whether or not you have the opportunity to apply for disability there is something important to consider.  Your mental condition may prevent you from holding down a job as well as the obvious physical infirmities.  You must prove that your limitations prohibit you from holding your past job as well as other less demanding work.

Social Security classifies jobs based on their physical requirements.  Sedentary work is considered a job which requires lifting up to 10 pounds and standing on your feet for as much as 2 hours per day.  Light work is defined by the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and being on your feet the majority of the day.  Meanwhile, heavy work may require the lifting of up to 100 pounds.

Where you fit into this equation may require a highly qualified North Carolina disability attorney.  For aggressive social security disability representation throughout the state call Wilmington attorney Alden B. Cole.  He will aggressively act on your behalf.  Call him today to arrange an appointment at his office at 201 North Front Street in Wilmington at (910) 231-2042.

Hiring the Right Disability Lawyer in North Carolina.

Are you aware of the approval rate for people who file for disability in the state of North Carolina?  It may be more challenging than you think.  Less than one-third of North Carolinians who file for disability will be approved.  From there, the other 70% or so will have to undergo an appeal.  If you are properly represented your approval rate will rise and you may be able to avoid the appeal process.

Be very careful whom you decide to represent you.  There are Non-attorney disability representatives out there.  Many of them are former disability examiners who used to work within the federal system itself!  The evidence needs to be presented in specific and exact order to establish beyond any reasonable doubt that the claimant is currently disabled.

A highly qualified North Carolina disability attorney knows that time is of the essence.  You must meet those time constraints or risk losing your claim forever.  For aggressive social security disability representation in the Tarheel state call Wilmington attorney Alden B. Cole.  He will pursue your case aggressively.  Call him today to arrange an appointment at his office at 201 North Front Street in Wilmington at (910) 231-2042.

DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Recalls.

First of all, if you or a loved one has had a DePuy hip replacement you need to be aware of what may be happening in the aftermath of that surgery.  These replacements are all metal or “metal to metal” artificial hip implants.  According to available statistics nearly 40,000 patients in the U.S. received the DePuy ASR implant from August 2005 through August 2010.

So far there have been two different settlement periods that were offered to patients whose DePuy ASR implant failed.  The total payouts under the settlements have been estimated at over $2.5 billion.  In the initial 2013 settlement, Johnson and Johnson provided a base award of $250,000 to those who were more than 180 days removed from their original hip replacement surgery.

Are you or someone you know effected by a DePuy hip replacement that has become defective?  Are you entitled to a settlement if you had to undergo revision surgery after January 31, 2015?  Even if you have not had any significant problems with your DePuy system as yet, you need to consult an attorney to discover your options.  In Wilmington North Carolina that person is Attorney Alden B. Cole.  Give him a call at his office today at (910) 231-2042.

ERISA Long Term Disability Benefits.

If you become disabled and cannot work you may qualify for long-term disability under something known by the acronym ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act).  How you apply and the careful steps that need to be taken may depend on whether or not you ever see those life-sustaining benefits.

There are common mistakes that occur when filing for ERISA benefits. 

1.  Assuming that your employer agrees with HOW disabled you really are.

2.  Relying on your employer’s human resource department for wise advice.

3.  Do not document your claim by using ONLY the form provided by the insurance company.

4.  You must not actively pursue activities that your doctor warned you against.

5.  Don’t use your insurance company’s lawyers to help you file for benefits

6.  NEVER work with a lawyer who is not experienced in ERISA benefits.

Fortunately those that need to apply for ERISA benefits in North Carolina may rely on an experienced lawyer who has dealt with ERISA benefits for many years.  That resource is Alden B. Cole, located in Wilmington NC.  Attorney Cole will guide you through the delicate and intricate process of applying for benefits the proper way.  Call Attorney Alden Cole today for more information at (910) 231-2042.

Attorney for the Injured or Disabled.

Finding an attorney that will help you through the pitfalls of getting everything that you deserve if you are injured or disabled can be a daunting task.  You need to find someone who devotes full time to this pursuit.  If you go on the internet you will find attorneys and larger firms that “dabble” in the practice of worker’s compensation and social security disability.  They may have an individual on staff who has some expertise in this area, but what you are looking for is someone who can and WILL devote his full attention to your case. 

Perhaps you have been injured on the job or an accident has occurred that has limited your ability to do your job.  Either way, you need to have a person who looks for every legal means to provide for you and your family.
 

Alden B. Cole in Wilmington North Carolina is just such a person.  Attorney Cole will handle your case from start to finish.  Best of all, he won’t be distracted with criminal cases or family law, etc.  He deals ONLY with the injured and disabled and how it effects their ability to earn a living.  Call Attorney Alden Cole today for a free consultation at (910) 231-2042.

Unable to Perform Your Job?

When was the last time you were able to perform your job the way you used to?  Has pain made your daily workload more and more difficult?  Maybe it was an injury or you thought it was just age creeping up, but you know that you are not up to speed in the performance of your task at the workplace any more.  Now at the end of the year it is time to come to terms with this fact.

Huge insurance companies are counting on people just like you who “suck it up”.  They go to work every day and never take advantage of all of the money that they and their employer have paid in to ensure their continued productivity.  They are supposed to be there for you when you are in a bind and your daily ability to perform your job starts to wane. 

Take control of the situation.  Start the New Year by contacting North Carolina Social Security Disability attorney Alden B. Cole.  He has years of experience assessing situations just like yours.  He will give you sound advice as to what steps to take if you are unable to perform your job up to capacity.  This is a New Year’s resolution you will never regret.  Call Alden Cole at (910) 231-2042 and get some peace of mind.

Discussing Social Security Disability.

When you gather with family this holiday season many different topics will come up.  We hope that most of them will be of good cheer and great memories.  It is entirely possible that your family get together in North Carolina will include someone who has been suffering through his or her daily workload because of a physical impairment.

If this is the case, maybe it is time to have a frank discussion about your loved one’s options in the New Year.  There is no better time than now to consider if it may be time to contact an attorney to see if that family member may qualify for Social Security Disability.  Millions of Americans are just trying to “get by” day-to-day.  Their pain continues to increase, but they feel they have no recourse.

If you live in or near Wilmington North Carolina reach out to Social Security Disability attorney Alden B. Cole.  He may have the answers to your questions.  This is the place to start.  Attorney Cole will explain the practical nature of what it takes to apply and if you have the criteria to navigate the winding road ahead.  After the holiday, call Alden Cole at his office located at 201 N. Front St. in Wilmington at (910) 231-2042.

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability.

What is a disability according to the SSA (Social Security Administration)?  In a literal sense it is any condition that is deemed severe enough to impede a person’s ability to work and earn a livable wage.  That does not mean totally or permanently disabled, but rather unable to “make a living” through the normal course of holding down a job.  So make sure that you understand the proper definition of this from a qualified resource.

To be eligible to qualify to receive social security or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) several different criteria must apply.  Among those, an individual’s condition must be severe.  This is usually defined by debilitation in daily living.  For children it is better defined as the ability to interact in age-appropriate activities.  It is also important to note that the condition must have persisted for at least the last 12 months.

There are many important considerations to be addressed when applying for social security disability.  You need the advice and council of a trusted social security disability attorney in North Carolina.  Alden Cole has been helping people from his office at 201 N. Front St. in Wilmington with just such issues for many years and he is ready to help you.  Give him a call for a free consultation today at (910) 231-2042.