Aaron Hotfelder

J.D. · University of Missouri School of Law

Aaron Hotfelder is a legal editor at Nolo specializing in employment law and workers' compensation law. He has written for Nolo and Lawyers.com since 2011, covering topics ranging from workplace discrimination to unemployment benefits to employee privacy laws. He's a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA).    

Books and citations. Aaron has edited many Nolo titles, including The Manager's Legal Handbook, Dealing With Problem Employees, and Working With Independent Contractors, and is a co-author of The Employer's Legal Handbook. Aaron's work has been cited by U.S. News & World Report, TheStreet.com, the St. Louis University Law Journal, and the Minnesota Law Review, among many other outlets.

Early legal career. Before joining Nolo as a legal editor, Aaron worked at a small law firm in Columbia, Missouri, representing clients in Social Security disability, long-term disability, and workers’ compensation cases. He later spent three years serving as an employment law consultant for a human resources and benefits compliance firm.

Education. Aaron received his law degree in 2010 from the University of Missouri School of Law. He holds a B.S. in criminal justice from Truman State University, known by some as the "Harvard of Northeast Missouri." 

Articles By Aaron Hotfelder

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for Social Security Disability
Social Security will not consider you disabled if you are doing a substantial amount of work or if it thinks you could do a substantial amount of work.
Are You Considered Legally Disabled by Social Security?
An overview of Social Security's definition of disabled, how they determine who is disabled, and who should be eligible for monthly benefits.
When Does Social Security Award a Lump-Sum Disability Payment?
If Social Security owes you disability backpay from the date you applied, or earlier, you might receive a lump sum payment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers Compensation
Injured workers have a right to benefits under the workers compensation system. Learn the basics here.
SSI Disability Eligibility: Income Limits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a disability benefit available to those with very low income and little in assets. Here are the rules on financial eligibility.
Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome are becoming increasingly common as more and more workers' main tools are a keyboard and mouse.
Making a Work-Related Accident Report
If you get hurt on the job, it's important that you understand your state’s workers’ compensation insurance system, since it may be your only means of receiving compensation. In this article, we'll explain the details of reporting an on-the-job injury, which is typically a prerequisite to filing a workers' compensation claim.
What To Do After An Accident At Work
If you're injured in an accident at work, you'll probably be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Nearly every employer is required by state law to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for its employees.
Workers' Comp Claim Time Limits: Filing Deadlines and Exceptions
If you miss your state's deadline for reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers' comp claim, you probably won't be eligible for benefits—but there are a few exceptions.