Solar Eclipse 2017

Solar Eclipse – From Wikipedia: On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible in totality within a band across the entire contiguous United States; it will only be visible in other countries as a partial eclipse.  The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was during the June 8, 1918 eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s apparent diameter is larger than the sun’s, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness.
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Pre-Existing Conditions

 If a person makes a claim within a certain period after obtaining disability coverage (usually within the first year, but every policy is different and has its own language which governs pre-existing conditions) then the insurer will look to see if the person was treated for the same medical condition during a period called the “look-back period” immediately before obtaining the new coverage. A medical condition for which the person was treated may be excluded from coverage as a “pre-existing condition.” Generally, if the insured goes for a certain time without being treated for the condition, (often a year, sometimes
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Love and Disability

Love and Disability – It’s Not Easy Love and relationships are challenging enough as it is.  Becoming disabled can create untold pressure on people.  Losing one’s ability to work can impact identity.   Many disabling medical conditions involve chronic daily pain, while some impact mobility.  Many medications have side effects.   Some disabling medical conditions and medications can impact cognition and memory.   Reduced income can strain household budgets or go beyond straining budgets.   All of these things can pressure relationships and impact state of mind.  A denial of disability benefits can cause very strained times, not only for the disabled person, but
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What Happens On A Final Denial

What happens when the insurance company gives you a final denial on your claim? When the insurance company issues a final denial in the administrative process, it’s time to file suit. Clients often come to us while still in the administrative process with the insurance company.  This means the client still has at least one more appeal to the insurance company to review the medical evidence and make a decision to overturn the denial.  With respect to cases governed by the ERISA statute (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) it is an excellent idea to contact an attorney
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Working With Disability

Is Working Allowed While My Appeal Is Considered? Working while applying for or receiving disability is a topic we are sometimes asked about.  This question is best answered in layers.  First and foremost, we get it.  We know that it is difficult to go months with zero income.  We understand that sometimes you have to do what you have to do to make ends meet and keep a roof over your head.  On the other hand, often the effect on your case is not worth what you can make by pushing yourself to the limit. Most of our clients need
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4th of July 2017

Happy Independence Day from Cremeens Law Group PLLC Cremeens Law Group PLLC is a litigation law firm in Tampa, Florida that handles cases which usually fall under the ERISA statute for short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.  When someone works for an employer, they are sometimes offered multiple benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, and sometimes – disability insurance.  The employee pays in to this disability insurance policy out of their paycheck every week (although some employers pay the premiums for them).  Our clients come to us for help with filing their claim or to appeal a
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If You Had One Wish…

You just found a magical genie lamp.  Make a wish! If you could have anything you wanted, what would you wish for?  Wealth?  Love?  Fame?  We know the answer to this question for nearly all of our clients and people who contact us.  If they had one wish, it would be for their health.  Be thankful every day for what you have and for your health.  Our clients not only have issues that cause them to be disabled, but then have their benefits that they paid in to, denied by the insurance company.  It can be very challenging to fight
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Memorial Day 2017

All Gave Some, Some Gave All. On this Memorial Day, Cremeens Law Group PLLC honors the memory of the men and women of the armed forces who laid down their lives in the service and defense of our country, offers our deepest condolences to the families and friends they left behind, and expresses our sincere appreciation to all who served our nation to maintain its freedoms.
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Know Your Doctor, Check the Instructions and Read Your Records

Be sure you are comfortable with the doctor you have chosen.  Read some reviews on the doctor to see if other patients like you have had successful outcomes.  Have a good idea of what to expect after the procedure.  It is usually much easier to prepare for post-procedure instructions before you actually have the procedure.  It is very important to make sure you read and understand all aspects of any procedure you are about to go through. Be sure you understand the risks and potential outcomes.  Be sure that the procedure listed on the day of your treatment is the
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This Storm, Too, Shall Pass

Quick Word of Encouragement For Those Facing a Storm Florida receives a lot of storms.  There are months when it will storm almost daily. There are seasons when the rain seems to come non-stop. The clouds get dark, the thunder rolls in, and the sky begins to pour down rain on everything below. Many of our clients at Cremeens Law Group PLLC are dealing with life-long disabling conditions. This BLOG is just a quick note to remind you that, even if it’s pouring, the sun will shine eventually. Don’t give up hope. Whether it be some form of economic, health,
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