Obesity and disability

Until 2000, the Social Security Administration did not consider anyone who was morbidly obese as being disabled.

2014-03-05

March 05, 2014 (Press-News.org) Obesity and disability

Article provided by The Law Office of Sheryl Gandel Mazur
Visit us at http://www.mazurdisabilitylaw.com

Obesity is a problem in this country--and a problem growing more serious. According to the results of a recent study, 29 percent of adults were identified as obese and almost 4 percent were found to be extremely obese. As a general rule, obesity has been defined as weighing more than 20 percent above the weight medical experts consider to be the ideal weight considering gender, age, and height.

The same recent study, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, found another rather startling fact--obesity can be both a cause of a disability as well as a consequence. The research found that almost 42 percent of American adults suffering a disability are obese and 9 percent are considered extremely obese, compared with the 29 percent and 4 percent in the population at large. Along with the higher obesity rates comes other chronic illnesses--like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Obesity is not only a problem in the United States, but it is a complex problem.

Obviously, the impact of obesity on any given person is variable; for some it only has a slight impact on their ability to perform the activities of daily living, but for others, the impact can be, well, disabling. Until 2000, the Social Security Administration did not consider anyone who was morbidly obese as being disabled, unless they also suffered from a condition that met the criteria contained in a list of impairments. Today, obesity alone can found to be disabling without linking it to another listed impairment. While the SSA will award disability benefits for obesity, as with any other medical condition, it still must meet the test of a "severe impairment" --that is, when the obesity, either alone or in combination with another medically determinable mental or physical impairment, significantly limits a person's ability to perform basic work activities. If it has only a minimal effect on a person's ability to perform basic work functions, the SSA will find an individual to be not disabled and ineligible for Social Security disability benefits.

It is no secret that upwards of two-thirds of all SSA applicants claiming a disability based on obesity without an impairment listed in the SSA guidelines will have their initial claim denied. An appeal in these cases is necessary and statics show that applicants without legal representation are more likely to be unsuccessful. Representation by an experienced New Jersey Social Security attorney who is familiar with the process and the nuances of the regulations is important in advancing any SSA disability claim.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

After killing four in an accident, Texas teen gets 10 years probation

2014-03-05

After killing four in an accident, Texas teen gets 10 years probation Article provided by The Bates Law Firm Visit us at http://www.harrybateslaw.com According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. Not only are teens less likely to drive safely overall, but they are more likely to crash when there is alcohol in their bloodstream than older drivers. The CDC states that in a national survey conducted in 2011, eight percent of the teen participants admitted that they had consumed alcohol ...

Truck accident fatalities increase for third year in a row

2014-03-05

Truck accident fatalities increase for third year in a row Article provided by Keith E. Abbott, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.abbottaccidentlawyer.com If you have ever been involved in a car accident, you know that it can result in minor or serious injuries and property damage. However, when a large vehicle like a truck is involved, the stakes are much higher, as the likelihood of serious injury increases significantly. Additionally, it is much more probable that the accident results in a fatality. Unfortunately, truck accidents are now killing more ...

The jury is still out on whether HOS changes have been effective

2014-03-05

The jury is still out on whether HOS changes have been effective Article provided by The Law Office of Gordon Ring Visit us at http://www.gordonring.com One of the many recurring safety issues facing truck drivers is driver fatigue. Due to the demands of the job, where transporting goods thousands of miles on tight deadlines is business as usual, drivers put in long hours to ensure that their cargo is delivered timely. Since fatigued truck drivers are a major cause of serious and fatal car accidents, the amount of sleep that truck drivers must get before performing ...

China increases family planning enforcement: the meaning for asylum

2014-03-05

China increases family planning enforcement: the meaning for asylum Article provided by Godoy Olivieri, Ltd. Visit us at http://www.godoyolivieri.com Immigration law is rather unusual, in that foreign countries' actions or laws can have an impact on U.S. proceedings. This is especially true for someone seeking asylum, as asylum is usually based on conditions in the asylum-seeker's home country and/or actions taken by that country's government. One prime example is China, whose government has undertaken strict measures to control future population, the core of ...

Environmental concerns for new businesses in Oklahoma

2014-03-05

Environmental concerns for new businesses in Oklahoma Article provided by Mahaffey & Gore, P.C. Visit us at http://www.mahaffeygorelaw.com/ Oklahoma is gaining a reputation as a big energy state with large stakes in the oil, natural gas and, more recently, the wind generation industries. According to the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, approximately a fourth of all jobs in the state are tied to energy companies, either directly or indirectly. During the most recent recession, Oklahoma residents were spared from the worst effects due to low unemployment rates ...

So you are an independent contractor -maybe?

2014-03-05

So you are an independent contractor -maybe? Article provided by Orshansky & Yeremian LLP Visit us at http://www.yeremianwagelaw.com/ So the church budget is tight--when is it not--but the days of volunteers keeping the church facilities clean is obviously over. Time to hire someone to keep the place clean. For some churches, an obvious choice may be to hire someone as an independent contractor. No withholding for federal or state income taxes, no withholding for FICA, no fringe benefits, and less paperwork and recordkeeping. Or perhaps a small business experiences ...

Considerations in a Connecticut child relocation proceeding

2014-03-05

Considerations in a Connecticut child relocation proceeding Article provided by Lawrence & Jurkiewicz, LLC Visit us at http://www.ljct-lawyers.com If one parent must move away, it is possible to modify custody to reflect changing circumstances.Life is full of curveballs, and nowhere is that more apparent than in family law proceedings. Divorce is often unexpected and usually difficult. Deciding custody matters and visitation can take hard work and compromise. Once established, it is best for everyone involved for the custody and visitation schedule to be as ...

Sex crime conviction reversed, where no evidence corroborated the confession

2014-03-05

Sex crime conviction reversed, where no evidence corroborated the confession Article provided by Hart Taylor Visit us at http://www.hartdefense.com/Criminal-Defense/ In order to convict an individual of a crime, the prosecution must show the individual committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Under Virginia law, part of that proof includes proving the "corpus delicti" of the crime--that is, proving enough facts that show the crime charged was actually perpetrated. This is especially important in the area of sex crimes, where the mere accusation ...

Falls replace car accidents as main cause of spinal cord injuries

2014-03-05

Falls replace car accidents as main cause of spinal cord injuries Article provided by Nix Law Group, PLLC Visit us at http://www.oklahomainjurylaw.com/ Serious spinal cord injuries are on the rise throughout the United States, recent data shows, but the primary cause of these injuries has shifted. According to a study released recently by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, falls are now the leading cause of serious spinal cord injuries in the United States. Previously, motor vehicle accidents were the single biggest cause of injuries to the spinal cord. By ...

Calif. shopkeeper's privilege to stop suspected shoplifters is limited

2014-03-05

Calif. shopkeeper's privilege to stop suspected shoplifters is limited Article provided by Heller LaChapelle, APC Visit us at http://www.seriousinjury.org Everyone has heard horror stories about innocent people detained by store security personnel on suspicion of shoplifting, sometimes receiving personal injurywhen roughed up in the process. In California, however, the traditional "shopkeeper's privilege" or "merchant's privilege" to do so is carefully spelled out by state statute and shoppers whose rights are violated by security guards going ...

Amid record year for dengue infections, new study finds climate change responsible for 19% of today’s rising dengue burden

New study finds air pollution increases inflammation primarily in patients with heart disease

AI finds undiagnosed liver disease in early stages

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announce new research fellowship in malaria genomics in honor of professor Dominic Kwiatkowski

Research finds no significant negative impact of repealing a Depression-era law allowing companies to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage

[Press-News.org] Obesity and disability
Until 2000, the Social Security Administration did not consider anyone who was morbidly obese as being disabled.

Obesity and disability

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: