LegalCategory Archives

The Disney Park and Memory

The amusement park in the memory is not an iconic moment that can be written off as one moment among others. It’s not simply that the thrill of the first ferris wheel ride sticks in the mind because of the very visceral response that most people have from being that far off the ground for the first time. There are always sensory overloads that are possible, where unsubtle cues to the ears, nose, and eyes make open possibilities for memory to unfold in the future. Like the presence of mouse ears that serve to represent one theme park visually, there are other cues as well.

There are often some rather dramatic events that do unfold at an amusement park. The cues are there to trigger the things that adults perceive as drama, excitement, and suspense. They have the experience to place these triggers into an undefined category, because they are not related to real life experiences. For children, however, there are less experiences to verify these stimuli against their own personal histories. So it’s not necessary for them to witness Disney World accidents first hand to have the moments stored in a very accessible part of the memory banks. The smell of the metal, sugar, and salt in the air, along with some very disorienting visual and audio cues, help to make the experience register as important, and truly to resonate for a lifetime.

Lisa

February 21, 2011

Legal

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mouse ears

Evaluating SSD Claims

Fear and anxiety seem to go hand in hand with making a claim for social security disability benefits (SSD). Putting together a claim application can be a stressful and time consuming task and is fraught with potential minefields that lead many people to work with social security disability attorneys rather than risk making a mistake on their own. Once the claim is submitted, the anxiety continues as the worker waits for a determination to be made.

The first step in evaluating claims is done by a local SSA field office or by a state Disability Determination Services office (DDS). They will check that the claim meets the basic requirements to receive benefits by checking work history, current work status, and the number of years the claimant has worked and paid into the social security system .

Applications that pass the initial review are then usually sent to a DDS office in the claimant’s home state for a more detailed review. This level of review will examine medical evidence, including the nature of the disability, the treatment plan and prognosis, and how that specific disability affects the claimant’s ability to work. Reviews will rely heavily on the submitted medical evidence, but DDS may also require additional exams or evaluations to supplement the original reports.

Generally, it is the DDS that will make the initial determination on a case, based on all the information compiled during this phase. If a claim is denied, the worker has the right to appeal, which will trigger additional reviews of the claim.

Lisa

February 7, 2011

Legal

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dds

Understanding Workers Comp Rights

The most important thing to understand about workers compensation laws is that they vary from one locality to another. Most laws are mandated at the state level, so injured workers need to make sure all the advice they get and guidelines they follow apply to their state’s latest workers comp regulations.

In many cases, accepting workers compensation or an insurance company’s offer of a settlement may result in the worker waiving any future rights to sue for additional damages. This is why it’s important for workers to know their rights and proceed carefully. Many employ the services of a Ft Lauderdale Workers Compensation Attorney who is well-versed in Florida workers comp and disability laws.

The entire process is made more difficult by the bureaucracy that has been put in place to deal with fake claims. Any missed deadlines, missing doctor reports or errors in filling out reports and forms can result in the claim being denied. Workers need to make sure they fully understand what forms need to be filed and make sure that they are doing so carefully. Otherwise, the claim could be denied and then will need to be appealed, which can add many months or even years to an already drawn out process.

workers compensation laws