Matt Fendon Law Group Legal Blog

Every now and then it’s interesting to see how the other side thinks. This article is defense oriented and talks about how they decipher worker’s comp fraud cases. Check it out: http://hr.blr.com/HR-news/HR-A…

SS Disability tip of the day – There is a 5 month waiting period before SS Disability benefits begin. Are you officially confused? To break it down – if you file for benefits in December 2010, you’re not eligible to receive cash benefits until June 2011

WC tip of the day – As an injured worker, if you are scheduled for an independent medical examination by the insurance carrier, you better attend. Multiple things can happen if you miss one of these appts — 1) the carrier can suspend payment of any benefits, and 2) you, the injured worker, can be…

Social Security tip of the day – Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) cases are needs based. Meaning, this is the fallback program if a claimant has not paid enough into the SS system. However, you still have to prove you’re disabled under SS guidelines, and you have to be receiving little or no income to…

WC tip of the day – You can file an industrial injury claim for a mental only case but they are very difficult because in AZ you must prove the stress causing the condition is work-related and “unusual, unexpected, or extraordinary.”

WC Tip of the Day – Did you know if you are injured while eating lunch, sleeping, making a personal phone call during the lunch break, smoking, and using the restroom you will still be considered within the course and scope of your employment? That is, if you are injured doing any of these things,…

WC Tip of the Day — Independent contractors (IC) are excluded from coverage under the worker’s comp act. The courts use a test in AZ called the “right to control” test to establish whether the injured party is an employee or an IC. There are multiple elements that are in this test. Please call us…

Employers are not automatically liable for the actions of their employees while on out of town assignments: http://www.azcentral.com/busin…

Social Security tip of the day – believe it or not, education has little impact on whether a Social Security disability claim is approved. The only exception being illiteracy. Illiteracy can have a dramatic effect, and can also be a sign of mental retardation per the SS administration.

WC tip of the day — once your worker’s comp claim is accepted in Arizona, it can be reopened until the day you die. You just have to show a change in your condition since the closure of your case. You must prove the change with an updated medical report. Please let us know if…