Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel towards Roy, Victoria, and Chareta at RCM…read moreDisability. It's taken me a bit to gather my thoughts and articulate them in the way that I want to present for this review, because I think people should know how flawed our system is, and just how much you'll need a firm like RCM to help you through it. In 2022 I suffered a severe spinal cord injury while being tasked with unloading an 800lb refrigerator at work. We'd been pleading for proper dollies to move these types of heavy appliances, but sadly our requests fell on deaf ears and I ended up injuring my neck, and suffered permanent nerve damage from a spinal cord impingement. CA is one of the only states where you can't sue an employer for negligence leading to personal injury. Instead, you're expected to go on Workers Comp and get medical treatment until you can return to work like a good little ant. With an injury resulting in a permanent disability, you better pray to God, because the system doesn't care about you like we've been led to believe. I've worked full time since the age of 15, much of which was warehouse work. Heavy lifting. I always thought that as long as I had insurance and followed procedure, I would be taken care of if I ever got hurt on the job. That's an illusion. This whole system is a house of cards, which is why it's imperative that we connect ourselves with the right people when the wind blows down those cards. My grandmother once told me that there's 4 people you want in your life; A good doctor, a good dentist, a good mechanic, and a good lawyer. She was right. I'll never forget the first day that I walked into Roy Manukyan's office, in March 2024. I was in excruciating pain and suffering severe depression. I had taken my doctor's advice and immediately applied for permanent disability once my WC claim had settled. The problem is, WC only pays out what they deem to be the equivalent of medical treatment. They don't compensate for pain and suffering, lost wages, or anything else as a result of the injury. Maxed out credit cards, late car payments, past due utility bills, etc. My girlfriend of 3 years ended up leaving me because the writing was on the wall. The money was drying up fast and by the time I reached out to RCM, I was already spiraling downward. Roy and his team were so respectful and attentive and they immediately lifted my spirits upon leaving his office that afternoon. For the first time in 2 years, I was feeling the semblance of hope. Prior to that, I had been denied my disability application and was desperately searching for professional counsel. RCM Disability has one of the highest ratings on Google and so they were the first I went to. I felt drawn towards this firm immediately. I sincerely believe God guided me to them. I know that now, because I would have never survived without their help. I have no living parents or siblings and my friends have left California. It's just me and my cat, Charlie. LA is expensive and during all this, I was priced out of my Burbank apartment of 20 years. We were on an extremely tight budget, and surviving off of the WC settlement 2 years prior. So we moved into a rental situation which turned out to be a nightmare. The landlord was a slumlord hoarder. My cat and I were essentially living 24/7 in a 9x9 room with no air, no access to a shower, and often no access to a toilet or kitchen. Funds were running dry and it was looking grim. Then one day, Roy and Victoria called me. I knew something was up because they were both on speaker. They were calling to deliver the news I had almost given up all hope on ever receiving. The Judge in our appeal case had approved my disability claim!!! I couldn't believe it! I almost wanted to cry. I DID cry. Finally, 4 years after the injury and 2 years after meeting Roy and his team, I was approved for benefits! This NEVER would have been possible without the help of RCM. It really is a nightmare landscape of applications, forms, reports, interviews, doctor's appointments, denials, hoop after hoop after hoop. Someone at Social Security even told me that they drag out the process intentionally because they want you to go away. The convoluted system is a way of weeding out scammers, but it also punishes the people who are really suffering. Every denial felt like a sledgehammer to my soul. And they WILL deny you. They deny EVERYONE. That's the formula. That's why it's so important to get on top of this with someone you can trust. That's 100% RCM Disability. Roy really fought hard for me and my benefits and never gave up hope, even when I had. Victoria checked in with me on a regular basis and was incredibly organized and 2 steps ahead. Chareta was always there to provide insight and guidance, and really put me at ease so many times. These 3 are an incredible team and really helped me in ways that gratitude just cannot express. So hopefully this review will help guide those reading it and needing it, to RCM!
