| Payment for Representation of a Social Security Claimant |
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| A social security claimant may choose to be represented by a third party in his dealings with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the third party accepts the role of "representative" on behalf of the claimant, he is prohibited from charging the claimant a fee without prior authorization from the SSA. This holds true even if the claim is denied. To obtain approval from the SSA, the representative must use either of two fee authorization processes.More... |
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| Personal Injury |
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| When determining workers' compensation coverage, most states condition benefits on the worker receiving a "personal injury" in the course of his employment. The remainder of states just use "injury." For workers' compensation purposes, a "personal injury" or "injury" includes not only harm to the person from a trauma, such as a cut from a sharp piece of equipment, but also occupational diseases. Further, a "personal injury" can be either a physical or mental condition.More... |
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| Anthrax |
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| Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the inhalation of, ingestion of, or skin exposure to a spore-forming bacteria. Though it is most often spread through contact with animals or animal products, anthrax is most widely known for its use as an agent of biological warfare. More... |
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| Acts Benefiting Employee |
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| When an employee undertakes an activity that is outside his regular or established duties, the question arises whether an injury resulting from such activity was incurred during the course of his employment. Though compensation is not altogether likely when the act benefits the employee, there are instances where it is possible for an employee to recover workers' compensation benefits. With respect to self-improvement activities, courts have allowed compensation where the employee was injured while attempting to register for a vocational class. The decision hinged on the fact that the vocational education was called for in the contract for hire. Additionally, an employee required by his union to take educational courses, which were paid for by the employer, was allowed compensation.More... |
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| Confidentiality of Records |
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| The Social Security Administration, like other federal agencies, is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. The Act prohibits the dissemination of information about an individual that is maintained by the agency including that regarding his education, finances, and medical, employment, and criminal history. An individual's application for benefits, submission of medical records, consultative examination reports, and income and resource information would all seem to be covered by the Act. With exceptions, the SSA can only disclose an individual's personal information if it receives a written request by, or with the written consent of, the individual to whom the information pertains.More... |
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