Law Offices of Karen J. Zimmer, P.S., lawyers in Seattle, WA, Washington

Assaults

A worker's injury that results from an assault is not compensable unless the assault arises out of his employment. The employment connection is satisfied if it is shown that the type of work or the setting in which it is performed increased the worker's risk of assault. For example, occupations that may carry a higher risk of assault due to their very nature are police officer, prison guard, and security guard, to name a few. Further, employees who work in a dangerous area of a city or who work at night may also be at an increased risk for assault.More...

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program was created through the Social Security Act of 1935 to partially replace an individual's lost earnings due to a physical or mental impairment that prevents the individual from working. A qualified disabled worker's condition is one that leaves the individual unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least twelve months, or to end in death.More...

Employee Detours and Deviations From Business Trip

Employees may be called upon by their employer to travel for a business purpose. Such travel is generally considered to be in the course of employment and, if injured, the employee will be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. However, if the employee deviates from the business trip route for a personal reason, he will not be covered by workers' compensation until he returns to the business trip route. Notably, if the deviation is basically inconsequential, the employee may still recover benefits if injured on the minor detour. More...

Representation and the SSDI Process

When a claimant seeks social security disability benefits, he may select an individual to represent him in that endeavor. The representative may act on the claimant's behalf at all levels of the administrative proceedings. However, accepting the representation responsibilities does not entitle the representative to a fee for his services absent approval by the Social Security Administration (SSA).More...

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

SSI and SSDI benefits)More...