In 1982 I underwent back surgery to relieve sciatica in my left leg. Before and after this surgery, I spent my entire adult life working in almost every aspect of the construction industry.

In 1996 I purchased a dump truck and spent the next seven years as an owner/operator of a dump truck business. By 2002 I was again experiencing problems with my back and leg and I decided to sell my truck and try another profession which would be less demanding on my back.

During mid-2003 I went to work in the retail furniture business. In January of 2004 I had a heart attack and consequently had three stints inserted. By July of 2004 my back and heart problems forced me to quit work. After several tests and multiple visits to the doctor, I learned that I had degenerative disc disease. By that point my activities had become severely limited.

I filed for social security disability in October of 2005. After being denied twice, I sought help from Greg Riley. At my first meeting with Mr. Riley in June of 2006, his knowledge of the social security laws and procedures was quite apparent. He prepared a questionnaire for my family physician to fill out and he also filed a request for a hearing on my behalf. After receiving the completed questionnaire and updated medical records back from my family physician, Mr. Riley submitted all of this information to the Office of Hearings and Appeals along with a request that my claim be decided without a hearing. He made this request on July 19, 2006. On July 28, 2006, I received a fully favorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge, finding me to be totally disabled since July of 2004 and awarding me back disability pay.

I am delighted to recommend Greg Riley and his staff to anyone who needs help with a social security disability claim.

~ Ray Whetsell, Goldsboro, NC

In 2002, while working as an arc welder, I was asked to perform a task by my supervisor which resulted in an injury to my right knee. Company policy required that any injury on the job be reported and documented. I immediately notified my supervisor about the incident and my injury. I was told that if I reported it, it would look bad on my record. I also requested that a written accident report be filed.

After a day had passed, I was notified that the company’s insurance carrier had denied my workers’ compensation claim. I was told that I would have to continue to work or stay home without pay, even though I was hurt and in great pain. This made me feel helpless, knowing that I needed to work.
I then called Greg Riley who advised me to seek medical attention. After doing so, I went to meet with him at his office. Mr. Riley assured me that everything would be done to help me receive the medical attention that I desperately needed.

With Mr. Riley’s help, the insurance company’s decision was overturned and I began to receive proper medical treatment. For three years, Mr. Riley worked with me and made sure that I received two knee surgeries that the doctors said were necessary. He fought for me to receive back workers’ compensation pay and regular weekly checks for the time I was out of work. After that, I continued to receive a check each week until my case settled. I was very glad to have someone that actually cared about me and the problems I was faced with. With his help, I was able to continue a normal way of life and to provide for my family. When the time came to resolve my claim, he worked relentlessly to get me a fair settlement for my injury. I am proud to recommend anyone to Greg Riley for help with their workers’ compensation case. He is a workers’ compensation attorney who will fight for you until the very end.

~ Jerry Artis, Goldsboro, NC

In the spring of 2001, I took a leave of absence from work to have carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists. (I had been working with restrictions since 1995 due to a previous work-related injury.) After the surgery, I went back to work but I was still having problems with numbness and pain. I had two follow up visits with my surgeon during the first five weeks after I was released to return to work. He decided that I needed to be placed on work restrictions again. The company I worked for refused to allow this. I was told that if I could not do my job without restrictions, I needed to go home. My surgeon then told my company that I should be offered a medical retirement. In the meantime, I left work and went back on workers’ compensation.

In 2004, the insurance company started pressuring me to settle my claim. They also made arrangements with a vocational rehabilitation agency to help me find suitable work. Within a couple of months, my case worker was having difficulty finding me a job because of my limitations. I was diligently applying for jobs that I thought I could physically handle. My case worker then began to harass me about finding any kind of job. At this point, I became frustrated and tired of someone else telling me that I had to take the first job that came along. During this time, my weekly workers’ compensation checks were repeatedly delayed and not arriving on time.

I contacted Greg Riley's office and made an appointment to see him. He was very understanding of what I had been through for the past few years. He was a very good listener and did not mind taking all the time I needed to discuss my case. Greg acted very quickly to get things done. He and his office personnel were always friendly, courteous, and prompt. My claim was handled in an appropriate and professional manner. Within months, it was settled to my satisfaction. I would highly recommend Greg and his firm, Orander & Riley, to anyone needing help with a workers’ compensation claim.

~ Karen Bloodsworth, Goldsboro, NC  

In January of 2000, I had to have rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. After this procedure, I was limited as to what work I could do with my right arm. Then, in 2003, my left shoulder began to hurt. I had a couple of shots, but they didn’t do much to relieve the pain. In August of 2003, I had my left shoulder rotator cuff operation. After the rehab period, I still didn’t have any strength in my right or left shoulder to do any work that required me to use my upper arm and shoulder muscles.

I filed for disability with the Social Security Administration and was denied twice. At that point, I asked for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. In the meantime, a friend advised me to speak with Greg Riley. My friend told me that Mr. Riley would be able to help me with my disability claim.

I met with Mr. Riley and he told me about the information we would need for my claim. After we had collected that information, we prepared for my hearing. In July of 2005, we had a hearing with the Judge in Raleigh. Within a short period of time, we had received a ruling in my favor, finding me disabled and awarding me back pay to the date of my original application for benefits.

I appreciate the help Mr. Riley gave me and I would recommend him to anyone who is having difficulty obtaining their social security disability benefits.

~ Charlie Massengill, Pikeville, NC