Disability retirement is an area of law which combines multiple elements: individuals who, through no fault of their own, face a major event in their lives; a medical condition which compels one to face a major life change; a sudden encounter with a financial loss; doubts as to whether one is eligible; and the long wait before an agency which determines one's fate. These are the negative elements. On the positive side, the case-law which has developed in the last decade has certainly increasingly assisted disability applicants; while many private-sector companies offer no disability retirement benefits, the Federal Government provides for a disability annuity which, when granted, accords (1) a base annuity upon which one can find some financial security, and (2) the ability to go out and begin a second career in a line of work completely different from the previous one.
For myself, as an attorney who represents Federal and Postal employees to obtain disability retirement benefits, it is professionaly satisfying, because I am part of the complex process of attempting to secure a certain sense of financial, emotional, and future security. I get a great sense of satisfaction when I obtain disability retirement benefits for my clients.
Sincerely, Robert R. McGill, Esquire
