Frequently Asked Questions about Social Security Disability from N.O.S.S.C.R.

While the Quatrini Rafferty website has plenty of Frequently Asked Questions for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), we wanted to highlight the helpful FAQ section hosted by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives.

They can be found here: http://www.nosscr.org/faq.html

Established in 1979, the N.O.S.S.C.R. is an association of over 3,900 attorneys and other advocates who represent Social Security and Supplemental Security Income claimants. Members are committed to providing high quality representation for claimants, to maintaining a system of full and fair adjudication for every claimant, and to advocating for beneficial change in the disability determination and adjudication process.

Quatrini Rafferty attorneys A. Tereasa Rerko, Brian Patrick Bronson and Michael V. Quatrini are all members of N.O.S.S.C.R..

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Panel Physicians for Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation

The Summer 2009 edition of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's publication "News and Notes" posted a helpful article concerning panel physicians for workers' compensation:

Who’s on Your Panel?

Employers who have established a provider panel for injured workers are reminded that their list should include a variety of specialists appropriate to the types of injuries anticipated. The panel must have a minimum of six health care providers listed, three of which must be physicians. The PA Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to reimburse injured workers for treatment rendered by a provider of the worker’s choosing where the treatment is necessary and reasonable for the type of injury involved and where no suitable provider (e.g., chiropractor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, etc.)
is included on the provider panel.

The full edition of "News and Notes," which contains updated information for workers' compensation and other L&I topics, is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's website:

http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/lib/landi/bwc/newsletters/2009_summer.pdf


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Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation - Social Security Disability - Pennsylvania Work Injury - Westmoreland County Work injury - Allegheny county work injury - Latrobe Work injury - Indiana Work injury - Blairsville work injury - Johnstown work injury

QR Commentary: The Myth of "Tort Reform"

As the health care debate drags on into the Fall, many of us have heard about the need for "tort reform" to bring down the cost of health care. "Tort reform" critics argue that

But, this is hardly a new idea, and, while we support a more efficient health care system with less preventable errors, we strongly discourage the taking of people's civil rights.

The following article from Politico.com sets the facts straight:

• Forty-six states have already done it, and costs have continued to skyrocket;
• The Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office have said tort reform will save practically no money, and they found no evidence of defensive medicine;
• Medical malpractice suits are less than 1 percent of all civil filings — and this has declined 8 percent during the past decade.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27549.html#ixzz0SQIkitYN

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The Growing Risk of Mortgage Modification Scams

With more people at risk of losing their jobs, and in turn their homes, there is a growing risk that companies will take advantage of those in a tight financial spot.

Today's version of Marketplace, a radio program produced for NPR by American Public Media, highlighted the ever growing risk of fraud by mortgage modification companies:

"Dubious mortgage-modification firms like 21st Century Legal Services help homeowners renegotiate their mortgages, but only in exchange for big upfront fees. Steve Henn reports on how these companies rip off desperate homeowners, then disappear."

Listen to the audio version here

Or, read the full transcript of the story here

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National Public Radio Spotlights the Social Security Backlog

National Public Radio highlighted the Social Security Disability backlog on its daily program, Morning Edition. The piece outlines the steps of the social security process, details the already long wait for a hearing, and how the bad economy is putting even more pressure on the backlog.

Click on the link below to listen:

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=112397747&m=112397705

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