
Federal Retirement Lawyers Near Me – I’m Attorney General Justin Schnitzer. Our commitment is to represent federal employees in labor disputes the way we want to be represented, all with the goal of achieving decisive victories.
If you are a federal employee who is out of work due to health or disability, contact OPM attorney Justin Schnitzer today at 202-964-4878 or contact us about your case. We serve federal employees nationwide.
An OPM attorney at the Law Office of Justin Schnitzer can help protect your rights as a federal employee and file an appeal with OPM on your behalf. Call us today at 202-964-4878.
As a public employee, you may find yourself unemployed due to health or disability. If this happens, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may give you the option to continue or resign. However, navigating the OPM retirement process is not for the faint of heart.
Federal labor law governs legal matters that arise between federal agencies and their employees. This differs from general labor law that applies to private sector jobs. The legal rights and protections of federal employees are recognized through laws such as the Civil Service Reform Act, the most important federal employment law passed in 1978. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) established and guaranteed certain employment rights for federal workers.
Among other things, the law provides employees with a process to seek redress through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if they experience violations of their rights in the workplace.
An OPM Disability Retirement Attorney (OPM Attorney) is an attorney who assists federal employees with legal issues related to OPM disability claims and disputes.
OPM attorneys understand the complexities of proving a medical retirement claim to the satisfaction of the Office of Personnel Management. OPM’s disability retirement attorneys guide government employees through the administrative process of substantiating their claims to obtain approval for their retirement benefits.
When employees are unable to perform their duties due to health issues, they strive to represent clients through a multi-step process. They guide applicants in properly documenting the medical condition for review and facilitate the submission of key evidence to expedite approval. For clients who find themselves in difficult situations, an OPM disability attorney provides skilled support. Whether they are offering alternative jobs or appealing a rejection, they use strategies drawn from many similar cases.
Attorneys in this field keep up with new agency regulations, court decisions, and medical guidelines that change the evidence or standards needed to support a claim. Even small changes in criteria can mean the difference between approval or rejection. Thus, familiarity with evolving guidelines allows these attorneys to adjust their strategies and arguments to maximize a client’s chances of approval under the newer legal framework.
Successfully handling disability retirements requires the expertise of these professionals. For example, a claim may be “frozen” or denied if the medical evidence provided lacks sufficient detail to support the alleged medical conditions. The agency may issue a waiver if documentation does not clearly demonstrate an inability to perform essential job functions. Inadequate records from treating physicians may be a reason for refusal when more pronounced functional limitations are required. Failure to submit all required application materials in a timely manner may result in denial of an incomplete claim.
If there is no reasonable accommodation that can remedy the violation, the agency is unlikely to approve medical retirement as an option. The Law Office of Justin Schnitzer has every option to go to court if the decision goes against the client. Handling appeals, all the way to trial, if necessary, is part of the representation of these experts.
By retaining the services of a federal employment law firm in the early stages of your claim, you can make the difference between being approved for or denied life-changing benefits. An attorney can help collect and compile the medical evidence needed to support your case. They will guide you through the often complex administrative review process and give you much-needed support every step of the way.
There is also a strict statute of limitations for federal employees to apply for OPM disability retirement. All relevant application materials must be submitted within one year of the employee’s last day of work. If they do not meet this deadline, they may be permanently barred from applying for disability in the future. With this in mind, you should definitely contact an OPM disability attorney if:
Occasionally, a federal employee agency, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, may deny an employee’s initial request for a reasonable accommodation. Consider the following scenario: An employee suffers from chronic back pain that limits prolonged sitting during office work. The agency refuses to allow periodic breaks or move to a role that requires less sitting. Since this condition does not justify an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the application was denied without alternative proposals.
As a civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits bias based on disability and requires employers to provide equal treatment to employees with physical disabilities. This is why hiring a federal employment law attorney is highly recommended. They can analyze the basis for the rejection and take steps such as appeal or renegotiation to avoid wasting resources on invalid options. You want to make sure your claim is fully developed and maximizes your chances of approval. Thorough preparation means hiring an attorney at the Law Offices of Justin Schnitzer to craft a refined presentation designed for success.
Call us at 202-964-4878 for a free consultation, and we will review your case and help you plan your next steps.
An OPM disability attorney can provide invaluable guidance and representation to increase the likelihood of a successful claim. They begin by advising clients on the standard of proof regarding what constitutes evidence of incapacity. The attorney ensures that doctors document every diagnosis, treatment history, and specific work restrictions. This medical evidence is the crux of the case.
The attorney then works with your doctor(s) to obtain detailed records to support the claim. They may recommend additional testing or special evaluations to gather evidence that strengthens the application materials. To begin the federal disability claims process, an OPM attorney helps you complete the necessary forms and documents. They provide guidance on required documentation, such as descriptions of current job duties and reasons for retirement. Therefore, customers experience almost no objections or delays if all materials provided are accurate and complete.
After filing a claim, the attorney guides clients through administrative review. At each stage, the attorney appears before the OPM on behalf of the client. They facilitate discussions among all parties involved and negotiate with the agency on matters that may affect the case. The lawyer will continue to seek approval until administrative remedies have been exhausted. This comprehensive private representation ensures a fair decision under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA).
Note that the claim may be denied and the attorney may file an appeal on behalf of the client. To request a review, they must provide OPM with additional medical evidence and a written statement explaining the reasons for the initial denial. For those who have exhausted administrative options, OPM’s disability attorneys can represent them before the merit-based civil service system. The MSPB acts as an independent quasi-judicial body that hears claims and appeals relating to employee actions under the Public Service Employment Act. It provides a neutral forum for employees and agencies to conduct adverse action hearings, where administrative judges hear both sides to present evidence and arguments.
The Board makes final decisions on appeals reviewed in the Office of Personnel Management’s administrative review process without making a decision. They emphasized in a statement that medical evidence indicates that the client’s condition prevents them from working according to OPM guidelines, and that consent is necessary. Using his legal experience to represent his client’s interests at hearings, our OPM disability attorney seeks to overturn negative decisions at the administrative level. This helps maximize the federal worker’s chances of achieving a successful outcome. Using an experienced disability attorney at OPM ensures that your requirements and interests are fully represented throughout the process. The Law Offices of Justin Schnitzer can help you avoid common mistakes and increase your chances of approval.
Finding an OPM disability attorney “near me” may seem like the most convenient option, but it doesn’t have to be. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) processes retirement claims for federal employees regardless of your attorney’s location.
Don’t worry too much about how close the lawyer is. The most important thing is to find someone who has had great success with OPM disability claims. This way, you will have a better chance of getting the benefits you deserve.
Choose the Law Office of Justin Schnitzer for knowledgeable and dedicated legal representation in your OPM disability pension claim. Call us at (202) 964-4878 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. Don’t limit yourself to lawyers “near me” – choose the best OPM disability lawyer for your case. We are committed to helping federal employees get the benefits they deserve.
Call us at (202) 964-4878 to speak with a trusted and experienced OPM attorney at our law firm in
Federal labor lawyers near me, federal disability retirement lawyers near me, retirement lawyers near me, best federal lawyers near me, federal appeal lawyers near me, federal employee lawyers near me, federal employment lawyers near me, federal retirement lawyers, federal lawyers near me, federal disability retirement lawyers, federal disability lawyers near me, federal tort lawyers near me