The Falls Church Virginia Law Firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack is proud to announce that Attorney Sheri R. Abrams has been named a partner in the firm.

Ms. Abrams joined Needham Mitnick & Pollack in January 2010 as “of Counsel” after practicing law as a solo practitioner for 16 years. Ms. Abrams’ practice focuses on Social Security Disability Law and she has spoken on this topic to many organizations including the Virginia State Bar.

Ms. Abrams’ book, “Don’t Gamble with Your Social Security Disability Benefits,” was published in 2010.

Ms. Abrams is rated AV, the highest rating possible by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, and was named one of Virginia’s Legal Elite.

Ms. Abrams is active in many different organizations including the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR), where she represents the 4th and DC Circuits on the Board of Directors.

Ms. Abrams graduated Cum Laude from Boston University’s School of Management with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (1989) and earned her law degree from the George Washington University Law School (1994).

Needham Mitnick & Pollack is a well established Elder Law, Estate, Disability & Special Needs Planning firm that assists clients with Wills, Trusts, Probate, Social Security Disability benefits, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Medicaid Eligibility, Veterans Benefits and Special Needs Trusts.

The Center for Disease Control Estimates that 3.9 million (1.8%) Americans are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and of those infected, 2.7 million are chronically infected. Hepatitis C is a blood borne illness that causes liver disease and causes a host of symptoms that can prevent someone from working. Common symptoms of the Hepatitis C virus (HVC) include jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue.

The two approved drugs for treating Hepatitis C are interferon and ribavirin. The current treatment of choice for Hepatitis C is a combination therapy using pegylated interferon and ribavirin. This combination therapy can eliminate the Hepatitis C virus (HVC) in 50% and 80% of patients. However, side effects can be debilitating and include fatigue, arthritis and joint pain, vision problems, and cognitive problems.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists Hepatitis C under Digestive System – Chronic Liver Disease, on the list of impairments eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. In addition Social Security must consider the effects of medications used to treat Hepatitis C when making a determination as to Social Security Disability benefits. However, just being diagnosed with Hepatitis C or suffering from side effects from medication does not automatically qualify an infected person for Social Security Disability benefits.

Virginia Attorney Sheri Abrams, of the law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack PLC, has effectively assisted numerous clients in pursuing successful Social Security Disability claims related to Hepatitis C.

If you or someone you know suffers from liver disease brought on by Hepatitis C and you cannot work, please contact Attorney Sheri Abrams. She can be reached by phone at (703) 536-7778.

Attorney Sheri Abrams is honored to have received accreditation by the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) to prepare, present and prosecute claims for veterans before the VA.

Accreditation refers to the authority granted by the VA to those attorneys who meet the standards established by the VA. VA’s stated purpose in requiring attorney accreditation is to ensure that claimants for VA benefits receive “qualified assistance in preparing and presenting their claims.”

To receive accreditation, federal law requires an attorney to complete continuing legal education covering, at a minimum, the following topics: VA representation, disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation and pension benefits, claim procedures, eligibility requirements, and appeal rights. An attorney must also establish that he or she is of good character and reputation.

The privilege of accreditation carries with it the responsibility to maintain specified standards of conduct and comply with the laws that govern VA representations, as set forth in the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations.

According to federal law, attorneys who do not receive VA accreditation are prohibited from assisting claimants in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of VA claims, regardless of whether or not the attorney charges legal fees for those services. Unaccredited attorneys may only provide limited services to veterans, such as providing general information about VA benefits, and may not assist veterans in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims.

The VA accreditation system is designed to ensure that lawyers who represent VA claimants have a thorough understanding of the VA health and benefit systems, so that they may provide quality assistance in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of those claims.

This accreditation allows Ms. Abrams to provide veterans and their families with advice on complex areas of law concerning long-term care planning, including VA pension benefits and the related issue of Medicaid benefits.

Ms. Abrams is proud to join fellow Needham Mitnick & Pollack Attorney Edward Zetlin in being one of the few attorneys in Virginia accredited by the Department of Veteran Affairs to assist veterans who have served our country obtain the benefits they deserve.

Yes! If you want to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits, the easiest way to do so is online. Save yourself the time and gas money driving to and from your local social security office. Applying for your Social Security Disability benefits online can take a little as 15 minutes, as opposed to the possible hours of being at an actual office, as social security offices are often very busybusy. Plus, some social security offices require an appointment to be made, and online there is no such delay.

If you are not sure whether or not you are ready to apply, please call my law firm, Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC for a free evaluation of your case.

It is my pleasure to announce that starting this January 2010 I will be joining the law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, as “Of Counsel.”

After being a solo practitioner for the last 15 years I did not enter into this position lightly. However, I feel that this relationship with the wonderful people of this firm will be a benefit to both myself and my clients.

At Needham Mitnick & Pollack I will continue practicing Social Security Disability Law and Special Needs Planning as well as some additional areas in the future.

I will be available to see clients at Needham Mitnick & Pollack’s offices in Falls Church as well as my present office in Fairfax.

Needham Mitnick & Pollack is a well established Elder Law, Estate, Disability & Special Needs Planning law firm that can assist clients with Wills, Trusts, Probate, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Medicaid Eligibility, Veterans Benefits and Special Needs Trusts.

For more information on the law firm of Needham Mitnick & Pollack, please click here.