Lori Burns Painter

For many Ohio residents, facing an injury at work or a long-term disability can lead to overwhelming financial and personal challenges. Navigating the complex systems of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability (SSD) can be incredibly daunting, often leaving individuals feeling lost and uncertain about their rights and options. This is where the dedicated legal guidance of an experienced attorney becomes not just beneficial, but often essential. In Columbus, Ohio, Lori Burns Painter stands as a compassionate yet aggressive advocate for injured and disabled individuals, striving to help them secure the benefits they rightfully deserve.

Lori Burns Painter brings over three decades of experience to her practice, with a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability claims. Her approach is rooted in a desire to provide clients with the support they need during stressful times, aiming to make the legal process as manageable as possible. This article will provide an in-depth look at Lori Burns Painter's practice, covering her Columbus office location, the specific legal services she offers, key features that highlight her dedication to clients, and why she is a highly suitable choice for locals in Ohio seeking robust legal advocacy in these crucial areas of law.

Lori Burns Painter practices from an office located at 89 E Nationwide Blvd # 300, Columbus, OH 43215, USA. This central Columbus address offers significant accessibility for clients throughout the city and the broader central Ohio region. Situated on East Nationwide Boulevard, the office is positioned within a vibrant downtown area, making it easily reachable via various modes of transportation. For those utilizing public transport, the extensive COTA bus system serves the downtown core, providing convenient routes to the vicinity of the office. This accessibility is particularly important for clients who may be facing mobility challenges due to their injuries or disabilities.

For clients traveling by car, downtown Columbus provides numerous parking garages and metered street parking options within reasonable walking distance. While specific parking instructions are not publicly detailed, general availability in this commercial district is typically good, although it is always advisable for visitors to plan for parking when arriving in a busy urban center. The professional setting within an office building ensures a comfortable and confidential environment for discussing sensitive legal and medical information, further enhancing convenience for clients during what is often a challenging period in their lives.

Lori Burns Painter specializes primarily in two critical areas of law: Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability. Her comprehensive experience allows her to guide clients through the entire process, from initial applications to complex appeals. Her services would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Workers' Compensation Claims:
  • Assisting injured workers with filing initial claims with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and the Industrial Commission of Ohio.
  • Representing clients in administrative hearings and appeals when claims are denied or disputed.
  • Ensuring injured workers receive appropriate medical treatment and benefits, including temporary total disability (for lost wages), permanent partial disability, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • Handling cases involving occupational diseases and workplace fatalities.
  • Protecting the rights of injured workers against employer retaliation.
• Social Security Disability (SSD) Claims:
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Guiding individuals through the application process for SSDI benefits, which are for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Assisting individuals with low income and resources in applying for SSI benefits, regardless of work history.
  • Initial Application Assistance: Helping clients gather necessary medical evidence, vocational information, and accurately complete the extensive application forms.
  • Appeals Process Representation: Representing clients whose initial applications have been denied, guiding them through reconsideration, hearings before Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), and appeals to the Appeals Council.
  • Federal Court Appeals: For highly complex cases, Ms. Painter has experience handling claims before the Appeals Council and in Federal Court, demonstrating her commitment to pursuing every avenue for her clients.
  • Pre-Hearing Preparation: Thoroughly preparing clients for hearings, ensuring they understand the questions they will face and are confident in presenting their case.
• General Legal Advice and Strategy: Providing clear and compassionate legal advice tailored to each client's unique circumstances, helping them understand their rights, obligations, and the potential outcomes of their cases.

Lori Burns Painter's practice is distinguished by several key features and highlights that underscore her dedication and expertise:

• Extensive Experience: With over 32 years of experience, including previous work at Philip J. Fulton & Associates in Columbus, Ohio, she possesses a deep understanding of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability law and the administrative processes involved.
• Dual State Licensure (Ohio & Pennsylvania): While based in Ohio (and also active in Pennsylvania), her Ohio license ensures she is fully qualified to represent clients within the state's specific legal framework for workers' comp and SSD.
• Client-Centered Philosophy: Her stated goal is "to provide clients with the compassionate, yet aggressive, representation they need and deserve," and she aims for clients to "think of me as a good friend who they can trust and feel comfortable with." This emphasizes a truly empathetic and supportive approach.
• "Down-to-Earth and Friendly": Described as easy to talk to and "in tune with her clients' needs," Ms. Painter cultivates a friendly and approachable atmosphere, which can significantly reduce stress for clients during difficult legal journeys.
• Persistence Through All Levels of Appeal: Her extensive experience includes handling claims from the initial application stage through administrative hearings, the Appeals Council, and even Federal Court, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to her clients' success.
• Membership in NOSSCR: She is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR), indicating her commitment to staying current with best practices and advocacy for disability claimants.
• Focus on Injured and Disabled Individuals: Her practice is entirely dedicated to helping injured and disabled workers, ensuring specialized knowledge and passionate advocacy in these specific areas of law.

For individuals seeking legal assistance with Workers' Compensation or Social Security Disability claims, Lori Burns Painter, like most attorneys in these specialized fields, likely operates on a contingency fee basis. This is a significant "special offer" in itself, providing accessible legal representation to those who are often facing financial hardship due to their injuries or disabilities:

• No Upfront Attorney Fees: Clients typically do not pay any attorney fees unless and until a successful recovery of benefits or a settlement is achieved in their case. This removes the immediate financial burden of legal costs.
• Fees Capped by Law: In Social Security Disability cases, attorney fees are federally regulated and capped at 25% of past-due benefits, or a maximum amount (e.g., $7,200 as of 2024, subject to change), whichever is less. Similar regulations or common practices often apply in Workers' Compensation, ensuring that clients receive the majority of their awarded benefits.

Additionally, many attorneys in this practice area offer a free initial consultation. While not explicitly stated for Lori Burns Painter, it is a common industry standard for prospective clients to discuss their case details without an upfront charge, allowing them to assess their legal options and the attorney's suitability. Clients are encouraged to inquire about the firm's specific fee structure and consultation policy when they make contact.

For Ohio residents in need of dedicated legal assistance with Workers' Compensation or Social Security Disability claims, Lori Burns Painter can be reached at her Columbus office:

• Address: 89 E Nationwide Blvd # 300, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
• Phone: (614) 224-3838

Contacting the office by phone is the most direct way to schedule a consultation, discuss your injury or disability claim, and learn how Lori Burns Painter and her team can provide the compassionate yet aggressive representation needed to pursue your benefits.

For Ohio locals facing the challenging and often stressful journey of Workers' Compensation or Social Security Disability claims, Lori Burns Painter offers a highly suitable and deeply experienced legal resource in Columbus. Her decades of focused experience in these specific areas of law mean that clients benefit from an attorney who not only understands the intricacies of the state and federal regulations but also the practical steps required to navigate these systems successfully.

The emphasis on a compassionate, "down-to-earth" approach, combined with aggressive representation, is a crucial differentiator for individuals who are likely experiencing significant physical pain, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty. Her persistence in taking cases through all levels of appeal, including federal court, demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving positive outcomes for her clients, regardless of the hurdles. The contingency fee structure also makes her services highly accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford legal counsel. For any injured worker or disabled individual in Ohio seeking a dedicated advocate who will provide knowledgeable, empathetic, and persistent representation, Lori Burns Painter presents a highly recommended local option to secure the benefits they deserve.