We believe in every persons essential humanity, and that for anyone who seeks our help, it is our responsibility to assist them on the path to the improvement and restoration of their dignity, self-respect, health, and financial independence. We will suggest ways to achieve these goals. We will treat everyone with compassion and respect, and do our best to understand each individuals unique life story, in order to work with our clients to share that story in an effective and compelling way. We are confident, based on over 34 years of experience, that by doing these things, we can achieve positive results for those whom we are privileged to serve. We believe there are more important things beyond simply winning a case, and that effective, persistent, and professional representation is the key to overall success.Law Office of Michael A. Bell621 Main St.Lewiston, ME 04240-5938Phone: 207-786-0348Fax: 207-784-3975 michael.bell39@myfairpoint.net This site is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Always seek the advice of an attorney if you have questions about your rights and responsibilities. No attorney-client relationship is formed by the use of this site.WHAT WE DO We concentrate on representing people who, due to physical or emotional injury or illness, cannot work because they are disabled. We do so in three areas of law, Social Security, Workers Compensation, and the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. It is possible, though very rare, that one person can have a claim in all three areas at the same time, and more common that one worker will have a Social Security or Maine State disability claim along with a workers comp case. We will attempt to provide coordinated assistance on all related claims. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY Over 90% of what we do, and have been doing for the past 29 years, is representing people before the Social Security Administration [SSA], to assist them with their disability claims. We represent adults, individuals from the age of eighteen up until the age of 65, who seek Social Security Disability Insurance [SSD], Supplemental Security IncomeDisability [SSI], under their own Social Security numbers [accounts], as well as Disabled Adult Children [DAC] and Widows disability claims under the accounts of parents or deceased spouses. We do so at every level before the SSA, from before an application until all administrative review has been completed. We represent people who will have their hearings scheduled in Portland and Augusta, Maine. There are four levels of administrative review. As a last resort, which we rarely have to utilize, we also take cases on appeal to the federal court in the District of Maine. We are happy to take cases on referral from whatever source, but it must be clear that it is the individual claiming benefits that we represent. We never represent the person or agency or long term disability insurance company that may have provided our name. Finally, we no longer do Social Security Childhood SSI disability cases, or overpayment matters, but we do represent individuals previously found eligible, whose disability cases are being reviewed and benefits are being terminated. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY MAINE WORKERS COMPENSATION We also provide representation to injured workers in the State of Maine whose job injury claims, physical or mental stress related, are heard before the Maine Workers Compensation Board [WCB] in Lewiston, Maine. We do so from mediation to hearing in Lewiston, to get wage and medical benefits that are due, and protect workers in their dealings with insurance companies and employers, should the need arise. MAINE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM We also represent Maine state and municipal employees who are covered by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System [MPERS] in their claims for disability based o