Steubenville
Chronic Pain Disability Lawyer

On This Page

1. Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Are Dedicated to Helping People Like You
2. Understanding How SSD Eligibility Works for People with Chronic Pain
3. Let Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Evaluate Your Case to Determine Your Options
4. Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Challenge Claim Denials Based on Chronic Pain
5. Talk to Our Team About Your Chronic Pain and Options for Disability Benefits

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2025

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Many underestimate the effects of chronic pain. For people like you suffering from its effects, you know just how disabling pain can be. We understand how difficult it can be to live with chronic pain in Steubenville, Ohio, and our firm is here to help you get the benefits to make ends meet. A Steubenville chronic pain disability lawyer from our team can help you understand your options, file for Social Security Disability (SSD), or seek an appeal. 

Our Steubenville Social Security disability lawyers at Berger and Green handle Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. Our firm has spent more than 40 years fighting for compensation for those with injuries or illnesses. We know you’re hurting. We can help. Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation.

Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Are Dedicated to Helping People Like You

At Berger and Green, our attorneys use over four decades of experience representing sick and injured clients to help you fight for the disability benefits you deserve. We understand how much SSDI and SSI can mean to those whose injuries or illnesses cause symptoms that prevent them from working and earning a living. 

Our disability lawyers understand what representatives from Disability Determination Services need to evaluate your claim. This includes the necessary information about your care providers. We can help you apply for benefits or challenge a denial, representing you through the appeals process. 

We represent clients with no legal fees due upfront. We work based on contingency, only getting paid from the money we secure for clients. We will never ask you to pay anything unless we succeed in helping you get disability based on your chronic pain and a covered condition. Contact us today to speak to our team about your options. We will answer your questions and assess your next steps. 

Understanding How SSD Eligibility Works for People with Chronic Pain

The Social Security Administration publishes a book of impairment listings, commonly called the Blue Book. This includes many conditions that might be disabling and the criteria one must meet to possibly receive approval. When it comes to chronic pain, this condition does not have its own impairment listed in the blue book. 

Instead, you will apply and be evaluated based on the condition that causes your pain. Some possible examples include: 

• Back and neck injuries
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Neurological disorders
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
• Chronic renal disease or kidney failure

Seeking a diagnosis and medical treatment is essential for pursuing disability benefits. Your application must include information about your doctors and other medical care providers, your medical records so they can get information about your condition, and any other relevant information. The SSA provides an overview of the evidence you may need, and our lawyer will ensure your application or appeal is complete. 

Let Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Evaluate Your Case to Determine Your Options

When filing for Social Security Disability, there are two programs to consider. Which one is best for you depends on your financial situation and several other factors. While relatively rare, some people can qualify for both types of benefits.

Here’s a brief overview of these disability programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI is a program for those who must leave the workforce because of their disabling medical conditions. This program requires you to meet the medical criteria, be unable to earn the current substantial gainful activity limit, and have the required work credits. According to the SSA, this SGA limit is $1,620 per month for 2025.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is a program for those who cannot work, have a low household income, and have few resources to fall back on. You must meet strict income and resource requirements to qualify. 

Understanding how your condition meets the listing requirements can be challenging for applicants. There are many nuances to every case, and it is easy to forget crucial information when applying. Your health issues can make daily challenges difficult, and trying to navigate the SSD system is even harder. Let us take some of these burdens off your shoulders.

Our Steubenville Disability Lawyers Challenge Claim Denials Based on Chronic Pain

At Berger and Green, we know how important it is for the Disability Determination Services representative reviewing your case to approve you for benefits. If they deny your initial application, we can help you appeal the denial and navigate the process necessary to fight for your SSDI or SSI benefits. 

This process includes: 

Reconsideration

We must request reconsideration quickly after an application for benefits is denied. This step consists of a review of your application and supporting documents by a Disability Determination Services representative. Unfortunately, many applicants are not approved during Reconsideration. However, we’re prepared to move on to the next step to continue our fight for your benefits.

Administrative Law Judge Hearing

When reconsideration is unsuccessful, we can move on to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The ALJ will review the application and other evidence to determine whether you meet the criteria for disability. 

We represent clients in these hearings, which are often done by telephone, video conference, or in person. A favorable decision by an Administrative Law judge ends the appeal process. 

Appeals Council Review

If the ALJ does not approve our client for disability benefits under SSDI or SSI, we can continue to an Appeals Council review. This step asks an Appeals Council to review the claim, documentation, and new evidence to determine whether there is enough evidence to show their chronic pain prevents them from working for 12 months or longer.  

Federal Court Review

The last step is to ask a federal court to review the case. This is a rare final step in the fight for disability benefits. 

Talk to Our Team About Your Chronic Pain and Options for Disability Benefits

Our disability team from Berger and Green offers a free case evaluation for those living with chronic pain who are considering filing for Social Security Disability or already received a denial. One of our Steubenville chronic pain disability attorneys can help you fight for the benefits you need. Contact us now to learn more.