Fitzsimmons v. Mathews’s Empirical Analysis
1980
Citation profile
4 federal appellate ·
Relationships
Applies 42 U.S.C. § 401 (§ 201 of the Social Security Act of 1935) · 42 U.S.C. § 404 (§ 204 of the Social Security Act of 1935) · 42 U.S.C. § 405 (§ 205 of the Social Security Act of 1935) · 42 U.S.C. § 423 (§ 223 of the Social Security Act of 1935)
Relies on Richardson v. Perales · Celebrezze v. Bolas · Brinker v. Weinberger · Northcutt v. Califano · Klug v. Weinberger
Most-quoted passages
The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 8 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.
“Briefly, the medical evidence establishes that plaintiff suffers mild to moderate rheumatoid arthiritis. He is being treated conservatively with aspirin and exercise. As long as he adheres to this prescribed treatment, his condition stays in remission, and he does not suffer acute attacks of pain. It appears that plaintiff should avoid heavy lifting, long periods of standing, and marked changes in temperature. Physical examination did not reveal any other significant physical limitations, and no physician regarded plaintiff as disabled. Clearly, the medical evidence alone is insufficient to establish that plaintiff is disabled. At both administrative hearings, plaintiff testified at length about his pain. He stated that he suffers constantly from lower back pain, for which he takes an average of 10 aspirin per day. (Transcript, at p. 203, 218.) He said that his hands swell and stiffen, and that his feet are often so sore that he cannot walk. (Transcript, at p. 211, 214.) He testified that he cannot sit for more than 90 minutes, stand for more than 30 minutes, walk more than a quarter-mile in 20 minutes, or work for more than 15 minutes without having to lie down for an hour or more’s rest. (Transcript, at p. 203, 224.) He conceded that no physician has advised him not to work and that, despite experiencing pain, he has worked as a driver because he needed the money. (Transcript, at p. 218.) Also testifying on plaintiff’s behalf in March 1979 were Charlene Hendricks, his forme”
1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
How this case has been treated — in progress
Whether each later court followed, distinguished, criticized, or overruled this decision. The treatment classification (task #35) runs highest-cited cases first and lights up here as it reaches this one.