Gillette Law - January 2019

GOVERNMENT REPORT: REPRESENTATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

As important as Social Security Disability benefits are, the processes surrounding them still have their flaws. Chief among them is the complexity of the applications process and the many legal pitfalls that come with appealing those applications when they are denied. As a firm that has helped countless individuals through the application and appeals process over the years, we’ve seen firsthand that experienced legal representation can make a big difference. Nevertheless, it was satisfying to see that the government’s own numbers agreed with us. A survey by the US General Accounting Office (GAO) titled “SSA Disability Decision Making” found multiple disparities between SSDI claims at the hearings level of the appeal process. The report exposed multiple institutional biases, with factors such as race, gender, and income level being shown to be “statistically significant influences on the likelihood of benefits being allowed.” The only case where these biases did not crop up were in cases where claimants were represented by attorneys. Stripping away all other factors, including severity of the disability, the GAO found that those with an attorney representing a claim “were more likely to be allowed than claimants who had no

representative.” In their analysis, the GAO noted “attorneys increase the claimant’s likelihood of being awarded benefits by (1) providing assistance with the development of evidence over and above SSA’s efforts to develop evidence and (2) preparing claimants to improve their effectiveness and credibility as witnesses.” Having a government agency publish this statistical data is huge. It reveals, among other things, that legal representation does make a statistically significant difference. It’s nice to know

that Uncle Sam shares our view that having knowledgeable legal professionals on your side can help you navigate the appeals process effectively. We’ve seen firsthand the effect a skilled, professional attorney can have. If you have had a social security claim denied, please reach out to us.

VIRGINIA SCALLOPED OYSTERS Recipe provided by Waypoint Seafood and Grill restaurant.

DAD

JOKE

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound butter • 2 cups Vidalia onion, diced small • 1 cup celery, small dice • 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 quart shucked Virginia oysters, strained, with liquor reserved • 1/2 cup heavy cream Crust: • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs • 1 cup Ritz crackers • 1 cup parmesan, shredded • 1/4 lb butter, melted

Q: Have you ever tried to eat a clock? A: It’s very time-consuming.

• 2 fluid ounces white wine • Zest and juice of one lemon • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce • 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, finely chopped (chives, parsley, thyme, tarragon)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. In a saucepan, melt butter and sweat onions, celery, and garlic until onions are translucent. 3. Deglaze with white wine and add heavy cream with residual oyster liquor. 4. Reduce by 25 percent and season with lemon zest and juice, Worcestershire, Tabasco, herbs, salt, and pepper. 5. Brush baking dish with butter and place oysters in bottom of dish. Spoon onion mixture over oysters. 6. In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, crackers, parmesan, and melted butter and thoroughly blend together. Place breadcrumb mixture over the oysters to form a crust. 7. Bake at 375 F for 30–45 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly hot in center.

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