KATHLEEN A. MELEZ
ATTORNEY AT LAW
PHYSICIAN
13101 WASHINGTON BLVD. SUITE 463
LOS ANGELES CA 90066
PHONE: 310-566-7452
FAX: 310-733-1763
EMAIL: INQUIRIES@MELEZLAW.COM
Disability Attorney
As a lawyer, Dr. Melez represents clients seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) at all levels nationwide, including at Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and Federal District Court appeals.
The Social Security Act of 1935 was amended in 1950, establishing Disability Insurance benefits. The Code of Federal Regulations (Title 20 Section 404) published this government law and all changes to it in the Federal Register. The Social Security Administration also periodically publishes their regulatory interpretations on their website (ssa.gov). An experienced attorney can be very helpful in navigating this complex and evolving set of laws and regulations.
Medical Legal Expert
Dr. Melez has both research and clinical training in immunology and infectious diseases and has written papers that have been printed in over 20 peer reviewed publications. As a Board Certified pediatrician, she has been practicing general medicine and pediatrics for over 20 years. Dr. Melez is certified by the California Medical Board as a Medical Expert.
Dr. Melez has provided medical case evaluations, litigation support, expert opinion and testimony in cases involving immunological and infectious disease problems in a full spectrum of cases involving pediatric medicine. In addition, Dr. Melez has extensive experience in legal ethical issues, vaccines & immunizations, and injuries from experimental therapeutics.
Long Haul Covid Disability
At this time, there are no legally defined Social Security regulations for evaluating disabilities caused by this new disease, the Covid-19 infection. The problems need to be analogized and compared to known accepted disabilities under the Social Security’s Listing of Diseases.
“Long Haul Covid” is the term we are using for the chronic afflictions that present after an initial Covid-19 viral infection. It includes a wide variety of symptoms, including respiratory problems and cardiac problems, renal impairment, neurologic signs, and mental disabilities. Our knowledge of this devastating and complex disease is expanding daily.