Specializing in Social Security Disability Can Help You and Your Clients

Many clients and even attorneys are unaware that there is now a national certification process approved by the state of South Carolina for attorneys specializing in Social Security disability law. The specialization, accredited by the American Bar Association, was established in 2005 by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) on accreditation. The SC Commission on CLE and Legal Specialization has recognized the specialty since June of 2009.

Attorneys pursuing this designation must provide and demonstrate extensive involvement in and knowledge of the Social Security disability area to qualify for certification, with requirements that include the following:

- Good standing in the state of admission, and a minimum of five years in the practice of Social Security disability law immediately prior to the application.

- Substantial involvement relevant to Social Security disability law, with a requirement that at least thirty percent of the applicant’s practice must be spent on Social Security disability law in the three years prior to the application.

- Appearance in no fewer than 100 Administrative Law Judge hearings; filed no less than 20 Appeals Council briefs; and filed no less than 10 briefs in the US District Court or Court of Appeals.

- Substantial participation in Social Security disability CLE, not less than 36 hours or equivalent participation.

- A minimum of six satisfactory references, including at least three from Administrative Law Judges before whom the applicant has appeared.

- Successful completion of a written exam.

- Six examples of legal writing, with representation of work submitted to Administrative Law Judges, the appeals council, and the US District Court or Court of Appeals.

(A complete listing of qualifying criteria may be found at www.nblsc.us.)

Applicants are reviewed by an advisory board of seven attorneys and the process may take six to twelve months for approval.

Although it was not listed under specializations in the most recent SC Bar Lawyer Deskbook, there are currently two attorneys in South Carolina who have earned this designation. Besides my practice based in Charleston, Paul McChesney practices in Spartanburg.

The Social Security disability certification brings the total of specialties recognized in South Carolina to five—four under state guidelines (bankruptcy/debtor/creditor law, employment and labor law, estate planning and probate law, and taxation law), and this Social Security disability specialty, now fully certified by the national accrediting organization. Since attorneys’ fees are capped for Social Security disability cases, there’s no reason for a client to get less than the most experienced representation. On that I feel fairly certain we all would agree.

Robertson H. Wendt, Jr., practices law in Charleston, SC, and serves disability clients throughout South Carolina, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Columbia, Lexington, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Rock Hill. He is one of only two board certified Social Security disability specialists in the state, and one of only 59 Social Security disability specialists in the US certified by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. Wendt has been in practice for nearly 30 years and has handled thousands of Social Security disability claims. Find out more about him at www.robertsonwendt.com.

* Attorney advertising notice: This article is designed for general information only. The information presented on this website should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

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What you should know about breast augmentation

The breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries around the world. Like any surgical intervention, its performance involves certain risks and requires dedication for optimal postoperative recovery. To ensure a safe procedure, it is essential to trust properly trained professionals. But it is equally important for the patient to prepare physically and mentally to go through the entire Mammaplasty process. In this article, we review what you should know about breast augmentation before doing it.

What is breast augmentation?

Augmentation Mammaplasty consists of a surgery carried out with the purpose of increasing the size of the breasts. To do this, implants are incorporated under the breast tissue or the chest muscles. These implants are covered by a flexible silicone outer covering and may contain a saline solution or a silicone gel.

This procedure must be performed by a plastic surgeon, after previous consultations for orientation and planning with the patient.

MOST USED MATERIALS FOR CHEST IMPLANTS

Among the most used materials for this type of operation are silicone prostheses and serum prostheses that have different characteristics:

Silicone prosthesis: They are the most used. Silicone prosthesis is composed of three layers of polyurethane and its filling can be of two types:

Cohesive gel: it is characterized by a greater bond between the molecules of the gel, which gives it greater density. In the unlikely event of a prosthesis rupture, the gel, being more consistent, does not migrate to other parts of the body.

Soft gel: The shape of this type of prosthesis changes depending on the movements and pressure that are made on the breast. In the event that the prosthesis breaks, the gel will come out of the capsule, spreading through the breast tissue. So it is not entirely recommended.

Serum prosthesis: The content of this type of prosthesis is compatible with the body, so in case of breakage of the material or leakage of the capsule, it could be reabsorbed by the body itself. Despite this, we also find some disadvantages such as the loss of volume of the breast over time or the undulation of the upper part of it.

What is augmentation Mammaplasty for?

This surgery is usually related to aesthetic purposes and it is important not to stigmatize its purposes and benefits. Most of the women who opt for Mammaplasty do so because they feel unhappy with their appearance. Some for having naturally small breast, others to correct differences in size or to reverse a reduction after pregnancy.

However, Mammaplasty can also be part of a breast reconstruction process, which is necessary after going through certain diseases (breast cancer, for example). In any case, breast augmentation allows many women to strengthen their self-esteem and confidence. And this translates into a positive impact not only on a physical level, but fundamentally on an emotional and social level.

What are the risks of breast augmentation surgery?

All surgery involves a degree of risk and, therefore, it is essential to have the support of trained professionals. But augmentation Mammaplasty can also lead to certain complications after surgery, such as:

Sensitivity changes in the breasts, especially in the nipples.
Pain in the breasts, mainly during the postoperative period.
Infections (postoperative care is essential to prevent them).
Development of systemic symptoms described in the so-called breast implant disease.
Distortion of the shape of the implant mainly associated with a contraction produced by the healing of the tissue.
Loss or patella of the implant.

We know that breast augmentation surgery has its risks and complications, however, they are temporary and scarce, and so we should not fear undergoing the operation. Being an optional surgical treatment, we have the last word in our hand.

If you want an assessment of our plastic surgeon, Dr. Lane Smith, make an appointment! The first assessment consultation is free.

Join the Tour from Livorno for a Wonderful Experience

If you are looking for the destination for enjoying your holiday checkout with the tour from Livorno that offers an extraordinary experience taking you through splendid itineraries in the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. Livorno is a wonderful place and from there onwards you can join a number of day trips to the surrounding places that truly offers the best holiday experience in and around the Tuscany region. There are Livorno shore excursions either by minivan or a cruise ship to visit places like Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Siena, San GImignano, Volterra, Chianti and other places. The tour from Livorno starts with you choosing an itinerary and the tour operators shall make arrangements for your pick up from the hotel in a minivan and a tour guide accompanies you covering all the destinations in the itinerary for you to enjoy the vacation.

You can join the shared Livorno shore excursions in a minivan is just like a semi private tour for a maximum of eight people costing not more than 109 euros for each person. Similarly, you can also join shore excursions from Livorno which starts with visiting Pisa and you can visit the famous Leaning tower of Pisa, Pizza Dei Miracoli, the cathedral, Campo Santo and Pizza Dei Cavalieri which offers you a stunning visual beauty of the façade designed by Giorgio Vasari. The tour guide also offers you an insight about the history of the great sculptures and the cultural history of the destinations enriching your experience of visiting these places. You shall also come across Santa Maria Del Fiore, Basilica of Santa Croce and other spectacular panoramic views that just spell bound you to the core.

The Cinque Terre shore excursions from Livorno also offer a wonderful experience as you not only get the chance to visit the most beautiful destination in Italy, but also relax yourself visiting the coastal villages like Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. You can also visit the local vineyards, enjoy the local delicacies in the open air restaurants and also experience the local lifestyle. Similarly, you can find many more tours that are organized from Livorno which are rated at affordable prices and organized in the most professional manner for you to enjoy a wonderful holiday experience.

Along with tour from Livorno you can also find many more day tours offered from Pisa, Lucca, Versilia and Montecatini that you can be customized according to your holiday plan.

Share a tour with Bellaitaliatour whether if you are traveling to Livorno. Here you will enjoy the spectacular views of the picturesque Ligurian Coastline. For more details, please visit at http://www.bellaitaliatour.com/shore-excursions-from-livorno

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