If they meet the criteria for both state workers compensation payments and Federal Social Security Disability benefits, disabled airline workers and airport employees can qualify for both, according to Dulles area injury lawyer Doug Landau of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. The Virginia state workers comp law normally requires an injury, by accident, in the course and scope of employment, resulting in disability from work. This disability, according to Landau, from the job in which the employee was injured, needs to be documented by the authorized physician.

Social Security requires not only disability from the job the wage earner normally performed, but most jobs that exist in the national economy. The benefits are different, and may overlap. However, warns airport injury lawyer Landau, “winning your Virginia Workers Comp claim does not necessarily mean that you will automatically win your Federal Social Security Disability case, and your winning decision from the Federal Social Security Judge does not mean that the state comp judge will find in your favor.” If you or someone you know or care for is disabled as the result of an accident at an airport or while working for an airline, and there are questions about what claims or benefits may be available, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555).