Writing on Wisconsin Legal Rights
An educational legal blog focused on highlighting important legal issues for Wisconsin workers, families, and individuals. Contact UsMental Health Matters: Disability Benefits for Wisconsin Police Officers
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the importance of emotional well-being and to empower and advocate for those living with mental health conditions. At our firm, we recognize that when people think of disability benefit claims, mental health...
What Does “End of Healing” Really Mean in Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation?
If you’ve been injured at work in Wisconsin, you’ve probably heard the term "end of healing" or “EOH” — maybe from your doctor, your employer, or the insurance company. But what does it really mean for you and your benefits? Simply put, EOH (also called maximum...
Overcoming Employment Barriers: Pardons, Expungement, and Arrest Record Removal in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act prohibits discrimination based on an employee or prospective employee's arrest and conviction record. However, an arrest or conviction record can still create a significant employment barrier for individuals. Wisconsin law allows some...
The Hidden Dangers of Working Part-Time While on Long-Term Disability
If you're getting Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits, you might wonder: can I work part-time when I'm on Long-Term Disability? The answer is usually yes! Long-Term Disability policies are all different and so it's important to consult the terms of your specific...
Will Cuts to the Social Security Administration Impact my Private Long Term Disability Benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) warned last week that Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to reduce federal spending may result in “significant workforce reductions” across the agency, which is responsible for processing some 2 million...
How Much Can I Receive in Social Security Back Benefits?
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both, it often takes a significant amount of time to get approved. However, once you are approved, you may receive not only ongoing monthly payments but also a...
What is a Medicare Set-Aside Agreement
A Medicare Set-Aside Agreement (“MSA”) is an agreement that allocates a portion of the funds obtained through the settlement of a worker’s compensation claim for deposit into a bank account or annuity in order to fund the future treatment of a workplace injury. In...
How Using Photos in Your LTD Case Can Strengthen Your Claim
For most ERISA long-term disability (LTD) cases that proceed to court, the case is decided on a closed administrative record in which the judge can only review the information contained in the insurer’s claim file as of the date it rendered its final decision. In...
I Think My Long-Term Disability Company is Surveilling Me – What Do I Do?
An insurance company’s goal is to make money, which naturally means the number one goal, besides selling insurance policies, is to deny insurance claims. However, if a claimant has a strong case with no plausible reason to deny, insurance companies will sometimes...
Can You Sue Your Employer For Wrongful Termination Even If You Quit Your Job? This Legal Theory Says “Maybe.”
What is constructive discharge and why is it important? Constructive discharge is a legal theory that allows employees to establish an adverse employment action even when they quit their job. This is important because an “adverse employment action” is an...
When Navigating Your Short/Long-term Disability Insurance Claim Feels Like Pulling Teeth: The Particular Considerations And Obstacles Facing Dentists Who Apply For STD/LTD Disability Benefits.
Dentists’ claims for short-and long-term disability (STD and LTD, respectively) benefits are often among the most complex and difficult claims to get (and keep) approved, and also to successfully navigate appeals and lawsuits when they get denied. This article...
2024 Attorney Awards
Hawks Quindel, S.C. is proud to announce that 12 of our Attorneys have received awards for their hard work and dedication in 2024! Larry Johnson Super Lawyers: 2022-2024 Super Lawyers Rising Stars: 2015-2020 Bill Parsons Super Lawyers: 2014-2024 Super Lawyers Rising...
Understanding When Social Security Reduces Supplementary Security Income Benefits: Part 2
The Social Security Administration (SSA) treats SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits differently. If you receive SSDI benefits, the SSA generally won’t reduce your benefits even if you receive income from...
What is Social Security Looking for Anyway? The Sequential Evaluation Process – Step 1
As discussed in the opening post of this series, Social Security Disability applications undergo a five-step evaluation to determine benefit eligibility. This post focuses on Step 1 of that process. After the non-medical requirement screening is complete, the first...
Attorneys Halstead and Knatterud-Johnson’s representation of employee fired for use of lawful CBD product highlighted by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Madison Shareholding Attorney Aaron Halstead and Associate Attorney Emma Knatterud-Johnson were recently featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for their work on an employment discrimination case involving the lawful use of a CBD product and resulting wrongful...
My Long-Term Disability Lawsuit Has Been Filed. Now What?
Important disclaimer: The information in this blog post is intended as general guidance for lawsuits filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). If your claim is regarding an individual disability insurance policy not governed by ERISA,...
I Just Lost My Job. What Should I Do Next?
Losing your job unexpectedly can be one of the most stressful situations in life. At Hawks Quindel, S.C. we have extensive experience helping Wisconsin workers through times like this. In this post, we’ll talk about some concrete tips that can help you protect your...
Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Divorce?
In the state of Wisconsin, divorce parties are able to represent themselves in court. Many litigants elect to proceed pro se, or without counsel, as representation may be cost prohibitive, or it may be an unusually amicable proceeding. However, obtaining an attorney...
Your LTD Appeal Was Approved! Now What?
Congratulations—your long-term disability appeal was approved! The good news is that you will likely be receiving a check from your disability insurance carrier for the total amount of past due disability benefits and begin receiving monthly benefit on an ongoing...
Milwaukee Shareholder Summer Murshid Named Women In Law’s Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year
Milwaukee Shareholder Summer Murshid was named Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year from the Women in Law Awards. Lawyer Monthly interviewed Attorney Murshid about her trailblazing career in Employment law and Advocacy for Workers' Rights, read the full article...
Hawks Quindel Joins Forces with Distinguished Workers’ Rights Attorney Nieves Bolaños to Launch Chicago Office
Hawks Quindel expands reach to serve more workers throughout the Midwest MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – July 10, 2024 – Hawks Quindel today announced the launch of its Chicago office, which will be led by esteemed workers’ rights advocate Nieves Bolaños who joins the firm as...
I am on an H-2A or H-2B visa and I sustained a workplace injury, can I stay in the U.S. while I receive medical treatment?
If you've been injured on the job as an H-2A or H-2B worker and require ongoing medical treatment, there are steps you can take to extend your visa in order to continue receiving medical care: Notify Your Employer: Inform your employer immediately about your workplace...
Can I File a Short-/Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim While I’m Still Working?
If you have a chronic or progressive medical condition that is beginning to impact your ability to work, you might be wondering if you can file for benefits under your Short- or Long-Term Disability Insurance policy before you stop working. Even if your medical...
Navigating Disabilities in the Workplace: Should I seek a disability accommodation or disability benefits?
Disabled individuals may have a number of protections and rights in the workplace. However, determining how and when to invoke those rights can often be challenging as individuals try to balance the restrictions imposed by their disability with their desire to...
Understanding When Social Security Reduces Supplementary Security Income Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) treats SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits differently. If you receive SSDI benefits, the SSA generally won't reduce your benefits even if you receive help from...