why personal injury attorney need to know if your client is a disabled veteran

by Marta Pouros 9 min read

If you are a veteran, then you know the sacrifice and commitment that you and other veterans have made for this country, and that is same level of commitment the Personal Injury Team will bring to your case.

Full Answer

Why won’t a personal injury lawyer take my case?

Nov 19, 2019 · If you became injured or disabled during your time in the military as a result of an accident or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation and should contact an injury lawyer. Whether this was due to defective equipment, road traffic accidents during manoeuvres or training accidents, an injury lawyer will be able to assess the situation and represent you.

Why should I hire a personal lawyer after an accident?

Attorney George Sink Sr. fought for our country in Vietnam. Now George’s firm fights for veterans. George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers is committed to helping disabled veterans seek the benefits they deserve from the VA. Why? Because George Sink Sr. knows what disabled vets are going through. He is a disabled vet himself.

How do I choose a personal injury lawyer?

Mar 19, 2019 · In the case of a disabled veteran, this consultation may be even more of a necessity, as allowing an attorney to represent them, especially when it comes to disproving that the new injury was pre-existing, can ensure that their claims are processed professionally, properly, and in a timely manner with as little added stress as possible.

What is the case value of a personal injury lawyer?

This is the only reasonable way a lawyer should offer his services to a disabled veteran. Don’t hire a lawyer unless you trust him completely. You and your lawyer will work closely on your case. And since your case has been denied, your lawyer will need to get your case remanded and then develop new evidence to prove your case.

Does VA disability have to be reported?

VA Disability Benefits Disability benefits you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aren't taxable. You don't need to include them as income on your tax return. Tax-free disability benefits include: disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid either to veterans or their families.

How do I know if I am a disabled veteran?

A veteran must meet the ADA's definition of disability. The ADA defines an “individual with a disability” as a person who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Can a disabled veteran lose their benefits?

VA can stop a veteran's disability benefits if it severs service connection for the veteran's disability. ... However, if VA does find that severance of service connection is warranted, it will discontinue the veteran's disability payments as the veteran will no longer be service connected for that condition.Aug 1, 2018

How does the VA determine if a disability is service connected?

The VA examiner will determine that a claimed injury or illness is service connected if the examiner opines that the disability is at least as likely as not (50% probability or greater) caused by or a result of active military service.Sep 28, 2021

What is the VA 5 year rule?

5 Year Rule The five-year rule states that the VA can't reduce a veteran's disability that's been in place for five years, unless the condition improved overtime on a sustained basis. The veteran will likely need to present medical evidence to prove the material improvement of their condition.Mar 19, 2020

What is the difference between a special disabled veteran and a disabled veteran?

A “special disabled veteran” is defined by law as a person who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under the laws administered by the Veterans Administration for a disability rated at 30 percent or more; or rated at 10 or 20 percent in the ...

How long before VA disability becomes permanent?

Your condition has “persisted without material improvement for a period of five years or more” (i.e., stabilized rating); The “disability from disease is permanent in character and of such nature that there is no likelihood of improvement;”

What is the VA 10 year rule?

The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.Dec 31, 2021

What happens to my VA disability when I turn 65?

Even after veterans reach full retirement age, VA's disability payments continue at the same level. By contrast, the income that people receive after they retire (from Social Security or private pensions) usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement.Dec 13, 2018

Is VA service connected disability a lifetime benefit?

VA disability is usually not for life. ... With this designation, you'll receive VA disability benefits for life (absent a finding of fraud). VA reserves permanent and total disability for the most extreme situations. Most VA disability recipients can expect periodic reexaminations.

What is the VA 8 year rule?

If you are rated as totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability for at least eight continuous years preceding death, your spouse is entitled to an additional $246. An additional $286 is payable for each dependent child.

Is service connected disability for life?

You can receive VA disability benefits for as long as your service-connected injury or illness is assigned a compensable rating.

What is Section 1151?

In contrast, Section 1151 is limited to claims of injury resulting from a VA hospital, outpatient clinic, medical examination or surgery. Under the FTCA, a negligent act by any agent of the VA (for example, even a janitor leaving a wet floor on which you slip and get hurt) can be the basis of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

How to file FTCA claim?

The first step is to file an administrative FTCA claim with the VA. This is done using Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury or Death. The statute of limitations for filing this claim is two years from the time of injury. Unlike most other VA claims, you do not file this application with your VA regional office. Instead, you file it with the VA Regional Counsel that is responsible for the region where your injury took place.

Is FTCA based on a VA rating?

Unlike the VA rating system for service-connected disabilities, money damages under the FTCA are not based on an evaluation of how your disability impacts your ability to earn a living . Instead, the money damages you could win are calculated based on your suffering and the economic loss that has resulted from your injury. And unlike disability compensation, which is paid monthly over a number of years, you receive payment in one lump sum if you win an FTCA lawsuit.

What happens if you get FTCA?

If you get an FTCA settlement and are awarded Section 1151 benefits (disability compensation), the VA won't pay you the disability compensation benefits until the total amount of the settlement is "offset." What this means is that no VA benefits will be paid to you for your injury until the total amount of benefits withheld b the VA equals the total amount of your FTCA settlement. This is to prevent you from being compensated twice for the same injury.

What happens if you don't trust your lawyer?

Because if you don’t trust your lawyer, both you and your lawyer will not work together effectively. Don’t hire a lawyer unless he has experience working with veterans disability cases. Make sure you read case histories describing in detail other veterans’ disability cases the lawyer has handled. Make sure the lawyer answers all of your questions.

How to hire a veteran disability lawyer?

Don’t hire a lawyer until you speak with him personally over the telephone at least two times. First, you should read over the materials from the lawyer. Second, you should read my article about mistakes to avoid when hiring a veterans disability lawyer. Third, you should call the lawyer and discuss your case with him.

What happens if your case is denied?

And since your case has been denied, your lawyer will need to get your case remanded and then develop new evidence to prove your case. You already know your case won’t be easy to win because it has already been denied.

Can a lawyer run a commercial?

Any lawyer can print a color brochure or run a flashy TV commercial. But flashy advertising does not mean the lawyer is qualified to represent you. Historically, the biggest advertisers in the legal profession were personal injury or negligence lawyers.

Can a lawyer predict the future?

No lawyer can predict the future. A lawyer may agree to represent you because he wants to help you. He is expecting to find a winning argument, but sometimes things don’t’ turn out as expected. Any lawyer who promises an outcome is making a promise he cannot keep.

Federal Torts Claims Act vs. Section 1151

  • You can file a lawsuit under the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA) when any employee of the VA acts negligently and causes you an injury. In contrast, Section 1151 is limited to claims of injury resulting from a VA hospital, outpatient clinic, medical examination or surgery. Under the FTCA, a negligent act by any agent of the VA (for example, even a janitor leaving a wet floor on which yo…
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FTCA Damages

  • Unlike the VA rating system for service-connected disabilities, money damages under the FTCA are not based on an evaluation of how your disability impacts your ability to earn a living. Instead, the money damages you could win are calculated based on your suffering and the economic loss that has resulted from your injury. And unlike disability compensation, which is paid monthly ove…
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How to File An FTCA Claim

  • First, it is critical to have an attorney file an FTCA claim. These claims are not easy to win and you will need expert assistance. Use our lawyer directoryto find a personal injury lawyer (rather than a disability lawyer) to help you.
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Offset of Section 1151 Benefits

  • If you get an FTCA settlement andare awarded Section 1151 benefits (disability compensation), the VA won't pay you the disability compensation benefits until the total amount of the settlement is "offset." What this means is that no VA benefits will be paid to you for your injury until the total amount of benefits withheld b the VA equals the total amount of your FTCA settlement. This is t…
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Attorneys' Fees

  • Attorneys are limited in how much they may charge you for helping with your FTCA claim. For helping you win an administrative FTCA claim with the VA, an attorney can charge you no more than 20% of the monetary award the VA gives you. For representing you in a lawsuit, an attorney can charge you no more than 25% of the damages you are ultimately awarded. You only have to …
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