Tucker & Ludin - The Disability Law Firm - Opens Tampa Office

John Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. announce the opening of a new location in Tampa. Located in Westchase, a suburb in West Tampa, the office will service the firm's many Hillsborough County residents. Individuals living in Tampa, Lutz, Oldsmar, southern Pasco County and north along the Veterans Expressway/Sunshine Parkway corridor will find it more convenient to meet with the firm's attorneys at this new office.

The Tampa office is located at 12027 Whitmarsh Lane, Tampa, FL 33626, just off the corner of W. Linebaugh Avenue and Countryway Blvd. (in the office park next to the 7-Eleven store).

Phone numbers: Tampa: (813) 594-5000 or Toll Free at (866) 282-5260.

Se Habla Espanol. Office hours by appointment.

Tucker & Ludin, P.A. is The Disability Law Firm handling all types of disability benefit claims, including Long Term Disability insurance, ERISA, Social Security Disability & VA Disability claims.

Copyright (c) 2008 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved.

Disability Tip of the Week: Taking Medication

When prescribed medications by your doctor, it is important to be compliant. If you do not take your prescribed medications, the Social Security judge or the Long Term Disability insurance company may view your claim unfavorably because you did not follow your doctor's orders and take the medication you were supposed to. They may claim that your condition is not as serious as you report it to be since you do not take your medications.

If you are not able to take the prescribed medication, ask your doctor to write clearly in his or her notes why this is the case. For example, if you find out that you are allergic or have unpleasant side effects, this should be clearly written in your medical records.

Likewise, if you do not have the money to fill a prescription, you should make every effort to seek help from social service organizations for assistance. Again, if you are unsuccessful and still cannot obtain the medication, make sure your doctor is writing this information down.

REMEMBER: Take your prescribed medications. There are many organizations that can help you afford your prescriptions.


Copyright (c) 2008 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. Any content borrowed or referenced from another source is referenced by citation to the original source as noted in the text above.

Social Security Announces "Compassionate Allowances Program"

The Social Security Administration Press Release Reads:

Process Will Fast Track Applications For People with Cancers and Rare Diseases

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the national rollout of the agency’s Compassionate Allowances initiative, a way to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security’s standards.

“Getting benefits quickly to people with the most severe medical conditions is both the right and the compassionate thing to do,” Commissioner Astrue said. “This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a matter of days, rather than months or years.”

Social Security is launching this expedited decision process with a total of 50 conditions. Over time, more diseases and conditions will be added. A list of the first 50 impairments -- 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers -- can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Before announcing this initiative, Social Security held public hearings to receive information from experts on rare diseases and cancers. The agency also enlisted the assistance of the National Institutes of Health.

Compassionate Allowances is the second piece of the agency’s two-track, fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with the agency’s Quick Disability Determination process, and once fully implemented, this two-track system could result in six to nine percent of disability claims, the cases for as much as a quarter million people, being decided in an average of six to eight days.

"This is an outstanding achievement for the Social Security Administration," said Peter Saltonstall, President of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. "It has taken Social Security less than a year to develop this much-needed program that will benefit those whose claims merit expedited consideration based on the nature of their disease. Disability backlogs cause a hardship for patients and their families. Commissioner Astrue and his staff deserve our thanks for a job well done.”

“Unfortunately, many hardworking people with cancer may not only face intensive treatment to save their lives, but they may also find themselves truly unable to perform their daily work-related activities and as result, may face serious financial concerns, such as the loss of income and the cost of treatment,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “The Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances program will help streamline the disability benefits application process so that benefits are quickly provided to those who need them most.”

“This is America, and it simply is not acceptable for people to wait years for a final decision on a disability claim,” Commissioner Astrue said. “I am committed to a process that is as fair and speedy as possible. The launch of Compassionate Allowances is another step to ensuring Americans with disabilities, especially those with certain cancers and rare diseases, get the benefits they need quickly.”