Letter to Judge - Disabilities Message Board

bellablue2 · 03-10-2008, 01:58 PM

Hi All: I just got a copy of the letter that my lawyer sent to judge. It sounds really good. I never read the letters from my psych Doc or therapist. They sound good as well.
It is so hard reading what these Doc's think of me. I know it's hard to deal with day to day life. But it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I really hope that the judge will take the documents into consideration more than what I say. My main problem is irritability. I also can't seem to concentrate on what someone is saying I am thinking about the answer, that I don't hear what is being said to me. I also am grateful that my husband works weekends only. He takes care of everything here. He will be telling I worry because I don't look like a crazy person. How can he make a judgement in twenty minutes.

What also stinks is even if I get through this hearing how long before a decision. More waiting. I am so sick of waiting!!!! I heard that they also try to figure out when you became disabled. I have been disabled since 1999. Then I guess they look into your children I have two. More waiting.

Well rambling here, that's what I do.

Thanks all for reading and commenting
Jeane

Executor · 03-10-2008, 08:35 PM

I've read a post or two on here where people have said that the judge issued a ruling that day and then they got a letter later in the mail confirming everything. When I went through mine, I wasn't told anything after the hearing and received a letter in the mail about 2-3 weeks later. However, I had a very good feeling because I could read the judge and could tell how he felt by the questions he was asking. Ironically, my employer appointed lawyer didn't have to do much at all as he sensed the same thing as me...He told me after the hearing that he just went along with everything and didn't want to carry it on longer than necessary because he sensed the judge was favorable and didn't want to screw it up, or make the judge mad for prolonging things.

You'll have to answer some questions by the judge and it's critical that you be very honest. I've posted this on here before to other questions, but I think its very advantageous to your case that you explain the side effects of your pain meds...After all, who in the world is going to hire you knowing what you're on? Be subtle about the side effects....Talk about being tired, exhausted (from the pain), dizzy, & etc. Don't lie, but don't sell yourself short either. To me, the meds you're on are a indication of your general condition and depending on what you're taking, go all out with it.

Also, there will be a vocational expert present who will testify whether or not he/she thinks you can hold down a job that you're educationally and professional trained for. Again, to their questions, hit home the side effects. if the Vocational expert doesn't think you can work, it's a done deal. However, most of these people will try to say that you could be in some type of flexible job, work from home or whatever. In my case, the judge didn't buy it....He point blank said "what employer is going to be so tolerant week after week of this person missing work....And the expert relented.

Finally, I'd have your husband attend for emotional support. Probably not a game changer, but couldn't hurt.

Hope some of this helps. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.

Ex

bellablue2 · 03-11-2008, 03:26 PM

Hi Ex
Well just got home. I am so glad this is over. It was not what I feared it to be. I was scared but my lawyer asked most of the questions. I was only in front of a TV. That helped. My lawyer asked me why I could not work. What a normal day was for me. ect. Judge only asked basic questions, name adress ect. There was no vocational expert either. My husband was in the room but was not asked to testify. So it was really wierd.

The only bad part was the judge said he had a two page document that was not signed and he would give lawyer 30 days to look into.
My feeling is pretty good. That's what the lawyer says. It's just this document. We don't know what it is because my lawyer was so unorganized. Hope that will not hurt me.

So I hope and pray I will not have to wait forever for a decision.
This has got to be the most drawn out nearve racking experience. Three years. I will appeal though if I am denied.

Pray that won't be.
Jeane

Executor · 03-11-2008, 09:29 PM

Hope it went well for you! It will be interesting to see what that document was/is. Probably just a routine form or something that someone forgot to sign (a Doc maybe).

Interesting that a vocational expert wasn't there...Haven't heard of that before, but I wouldn't read anything into it. If anything, it probably was an advantage for you because they are there to testify as to what type of jobs you'd be qualified for, and could do. Thus, if no one was present, there won't be any evidence entered.

If you and your lawyer's feeling(s) are good, that's a good sign. Hopefully, the judge will see that you're very determined an won't go away. I also think it's helpful to have an attorney at this stage as Judges take them very seriously.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Best of luck to you!

Ex