Writing on Wisconsin Legal Rights
An educational legal blog focused on highlighting important legal issues for Wisconsin workers, families, and individuals. Contact Us2023 Super Lawyers
Hawks Quindel, S.C. is proud to announce that 10 of our very own were selected for the 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list! Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Larry...
Know the Risks Before Quitting Your Job After a Work Injury
If you suffer an injury at work, you may want to quit your job for several reasons. You may have safety concerns about your workplace, you may be worried that you will no longer be able to perform your job duties because of your injury, or you may be interested in...
Getting Divorced with Pets
Recent studies show that nearly 50% of millennials do not want, or are unsure if they want, human children. But according to a 2020/21 poll by Emma Bedford, Millennials have the highest percentage of pet ownership in the United States (32%), followed by Baby Boomers...
An Uphill Battle: Understanding the “Arbitrary and Capricious” Standard of Review.
If your long-term disability (LTD) insurance carrier has denied or terminated your claim for LTD benefits, and you’ve exhausted your administrative appeals, your next step is to file a lawsuit against the carrier. In most circumstances, the lawsuit will be filed in...
Transitioning from Short-Term Disability to Long-Term Disability? Here’s What to Expect.
You have been off of work for a while and have been receiving short-term disability insurance benefits. Now the disability insurance company is letting you know that you are nearing the end of your short-term disability benefits. What happens next? Confirm that You...
What Should I Be Paid When I Leave My Job?
Every person who works will leave a job at least once in their career. But what happens to your pay if you quit without notice? What about if you’re fired? Is your employer required to pay you for unused vacation or sick leave? Fortunately, Wisconsin has strong...
Introducing Madison’s 3 Newest Attorneys
We are excited to introduce Hawks Quindel's newest additions - Attorney Gabriel Manzano, Attorney Emma Knatterud-Johnson, and Attorney Forrest Stewart. Attorney Knatterud-Johnson joined Hawks Quindel as a law clerk in 2021, working part-time during her second and...
How to Appeal a Long Term Disability Denial
Are you appealing a long term disability denial, you may be wondering what your next steps are? The first step in appealing a denial is to read your denial letter carefully. The letter should explain why your claim was denied and what you need to do to appeal. In most...
Disabled by Opioid Use Disorder? You May Be Eligible for Short- and Long-Term Disability Benefits
Beginning in the 1990s, the use of prescription opioids to treat chronic pain sky-rocketed despite concerns about the drug’s addictive properties and long-term risks. Fast-forward 30 years and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly three...
Guardians ad Litem: Family Law Cases
Frequently Asked Questions About Guardians ad Litem A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a key player in family court proceedings. Wisconsin Statute 767.407 provides that the court shall typically appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor child in any action affecting the...
The Professional’s Dilemma: Special Considerations for Professionals in Need of Long-Term Disability Benefits
Most professionals have dedicated immense resources just for the opportunity to work in their chosen career path. Whether that includes obtaining advanced degrees or moving across country for the right job opportunity, the personal sacrifices that often come as a...
Long-Term Disability Attorneys Jessa Victor & Brook Tylka Present at NAMI Wisconsin
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn how disability attorneys deal with long term disability claims for mental health issue.
Balancing Breastfeeding and Work – Nursing Moms Now Have a Powerful Tool at their Disposal
New PUMP Act Remedies Effective April 28, 2023 The PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) Act was passed by Congress on December 31st, 2022, but the most important aspect of the law – the additional remedies available in the event of a violation of the PUMP Act...
Disability Asset Limits: Understanding the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
Understanding Individual Asset Limit for Individuals Receiving SSDI or SSI Disability Benefits As discussed in previous blog posts, there is a strict asset limitation for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That limit is $2,000 for an...
Why Is My Disability Claim Taking So Long?
Why Your Disability Claim is Taking So Long and What You Can Do While You Wait If you’ve stopped working because of a disability, you’ve probably considered applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Perhaps you’ve already filed your...
New NLRB Decision Restricts Common Severance Agreement Terms
On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) returned to established precedent and found that a severance agreement which included broad non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses violated the employees’ section 7 rights under...
I Think My Employer Is Committing Healthcare Fraud. What Can I Do?
What is Healthcare Fraud? Government-funded healthcare programs don’t just provide essential healthcare services to people who need them—they’re also big business. In 2021, the federal government spent $901 billion on Medicare and $734 billion on Medicaid. Even though...
Your Disability Benefits Claim May Be Impacted by the End of the COVID-19 National Emergency
The Biden Administration recently announced that it intends to end the COVID-19 National Emergency on May 11, 2023. If your short-term or long-term disability benefits were denied or terminated during the COVID-19 National Emergency, your ability to continue pursuing...
A Potential Ban on Non-Competes: Here’s the Scoop
The Federal Trade Commission’s (the “FTC”) goal is to protect the American public from unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition in business and trade. Competition in business can include competition for good workers, especially when the job...
Injured at work? Promptly Reporting your Injury and Seeking Treatment is Very Important.
Hurt at Work? Say Something! I talk every day with people who have hurt themselves at work. Too often, the people I talk to tell me that they didn’t report the injury. Sometimes they haven’t even been to the doctor. I get it: you’re tough and you’re used to gritting...
Attorney Marisol González Castillo nominated for State Bar President-Elect
Marisol González Castillo, an Associate Attorney at Hawks Quindel, has been nominated for Wisconsin State Bar President-Elect. She currently works with the Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, and Consumer Law teams. Attorneys and Staff describe her as tenacious,...
SSDI vs. SSI Benefits – Understanding the Difference
A Guide to Understanding SSDI vs SSI Benefits Hawks Quindel disability attorneys know the Social Security Disability process is confusing and frustrating. We know this because time after time, our clients express exasperation regarding the difficulty of navigating the...
Fired for Getting Hurt? How to Handle Employer Retaliation
Fighting Retaliation After a Work Injury When you suffer an injury in the workplace, you want to focus on getting the treatment you need to heal and return to work. Unfortunately, additional issues can arise if your employer fails to accommodate your work restrictions...
How to Prepare for LTDI Field Interview Questions
Preparing for Your Long-Term Disability Interview: Questions to Anticipate, Mistakes to Avoid, and Tips to Remember! It’s not unusual for your long-term disability (LTD) insurance carrier to request an interview with you to learn more about your claim. These...
When and How to Report a Wisconsin Work Injury
What to Do When You Are Injured at Work If you get hurt at work in Wisconsin, you might be wondering how to explain your injury to your doctor. You might wonder how much information you need to give them, or whether you really need to explain facts that could end up...