Is chronic pain preventing you from performing the functions of your job? If you are suffering from chronic pain, there could be a number of difficult obstacles to overcome in order to secure the Social Security Disability benefits you need. To make sure you have every opportunity for success, it is in your best interest to work with a knowledgeable attorney.
At Crowe & Shanahan in St. Louis, we understand the difficulties faced by chronic pain sufferers. We have achieved many favorable outcomes for clients throughout eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. By focusing exclusively on local clients, we are able to provide the one-on-one representation they deserve.
Do not let your chronic pain discourage you. To schedule an appointment with one of the dedicated St. Louis chronic pain disability attorneys from our firm, please call 314-231-6660.
According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic pain can best be described as pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks. Its treatment can involve endless medications and cycles of physical therapy. In most cases, however, you will need to prove that your disability has kept you from finding work for at least a year to qualify for disability benefits.
In order to successfully pursue a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require proof of your disability. This can be difficult, however, as chronic pain is not always easily explained through traditional diagnoses. The SSA will judge your pain based on whether it prevents you from functioning for eight hours in the workplace.
Our lawyers will work closely with your doctors to determine the cause of your chronic pain and whether it can be linked to a condition such as arthritis or a workplace injury. We can help you present the strongest possible claim that thoroughly documents the severity of your pain and its limitations.
To receive disability benefits, your disability does not have to be permanent: It must prevent you from working for a period of 12 continuous months. Even if you are unable to work for 12 months, recover and are then able to return, you can be eligible for back pay. This situation is commonly known as a closed period of disability.
To learn more about your rights, contact our firm today to speak to a seasoned Social Security Disability attorney.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t automatically grant benefits for pain alone. You need medical documentation showing how your pain limits your ability to perform work-related activities. This may include restrictions on lifting, standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods. Conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or neuropathic pain can qualify if the pain significantly limits your functional capacity.
When evaluating chronic pain, the Social Security Administration considers all of your symptoms, including how they affect your daily life and ability to work. SSA reviews evidence like:
They evaluate the intensity and persistence of the pain, along with the overall functional impact, in combination with all medical and nonmedical evidence.
The SSA evaluates chronic pain by considering medical records and statements from your doctors. They’ll review imaging studies, lab results, and treatment histories, as well as your description of daily activities and limitations.
The agency looks for consistency: reports from multiple doctors and documented use of prescription medications can be evidence that your condition has persisted, despite treatments. Statements from family or friends about how pain affects your everyday life can also supplement medical evidence, though they won’t replace clinical documentation.
Yes. Chronic pain often comes with depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders. The SSA considers how these conditions interact with your physical limitations. Under the SSA’s “combined effects” rule, the agency evaluates the impact of all conditions together.
This means that even if your pain alone doesn’t meet a listing, combined with mental health impairments, it may support a finding that you have a disability. You need accurate, thorough documentation from psychiatrists, psychologists, or licensed therapists showing how pain exacerbates mood or cognitive issues. An attorney from our law firm can help you put together a persuasive application and follow up throughout the process.
Pain isn’t always consistent. Generally, the SSA recognizes that some conditions have variable symptoms. The key is to show a pattern of functional limitations over time rather than a few isolated incidents.
Detailed journals of daily activities, limitations, flare-ups, and medication use help demonstrate the real impact of your condition. Medical notes showing repeated adjustments to treatment plans or referrals to specialists also support claims with fluctuating pain. The best thing you can do to support your claim is to keep detailed daily records—and engage one of our experienced disability lawyers from our law firm to help present your claim in the best light possible.
Approval times vary, depending on your specific situation and conditions. Chronic pain claims often get extra scrutiny because pain is subjective. Initial applications typically take three to five months to process, but many cases are denied initially. These require reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge. Gathering strong medical evidence and presenting a clear account of your functional limitations can shorten delays and increase the chance of a favorable decision. The attorneys at our St. Louis, Missouri, law firm can help. We also serve clients in southern Illinois.
To learn more about your rights, contact our firm today to speak to a seasoned Social Security Disability attorney.
We take pride in the strong professional and personal relationships we build with each client. You will meet with the attorney early on and that same attorney will be with you throughout the process. You can rely on us to give you honest advice about your options because this is the right thing to do.
As your advocates, we will remain by your side throughout the process, developing a strategy that fits your specific circumstances. Your legal and financial issues are unique, so we tailor our advice according to your situation. Many individuals and families have benefited from this legal approach.
