SmartBrief
Confirm favorite deletion?
Administrative Law Keyed to Schwartz
Richardson v. Perales
Citation:
402 U.S. 389, 91 S.Ct. 1420 (1971)Facts
Pedro Perales, a 34-year-old truck driver, claimed disability benefits after injuring his back while lifting an object at work in September 1965. He underwent surgery by Dr. Munslow in November 1965, but no disc protrusion was found. Despite continued complaints, Dr. Munslow and a consulting neurologist found no objective neurological explanation for his symptoms. Perales then consulted Dr. Morales, who diagnosed a back sprain and supported his disability claim. The state agency arranged examinations by several specialists, including Dr. Langston (orthopedist), Dr. Bailey (psychiatrist), and Dr. Mattson (for electromyography studies). These physicians’ reports suggested Perales had only mild impairment, possible psychological overlay, and was intentionally limiting his movements. At the hearing, Perales and Dr. Morales testified in support of the disability claim, while the government presented the written reports of the examining physicians and testimony from Dr. Leavitt, a non-examining medical adviser. The hearing examiner relied on the written reports to deny benefits, finding Perales had only a mild impairment that did not prevent substantial gainful activity.
Only StudyBuddy Pro offers the complete Case Brief Anatomy*
Access the most important case brief elements for optimal case understanding.
*Case Brief Anatomy includes: Brief Prologue, Complete Case Brief, Brief Epilogue
- The Brief Prologue provides necessary case brief introductory information and includes:
Topic:
Identifies the topic of law and where this case fits within your course outline.Parties:
Identifies the cast of characters involved in the case.Procedural Posture & History:
Shares the case history with how lower courts have ruled on the matter.Case Key Terms, Acts, Doctrines, etc.:
A case specific Legal Term Dictionary.Case Doctrines, Acts, Statutes, Amendments and Treatises:
Identifies and Defines Legal Authority used in this case.
- The Case Brief is the complete case summarized and authored in the traditional Law School I.R.A.C. format. The Pro case brief includes:
Brief Facts:
A Synopsis of the Facts of the case.Rule of Law:
Identifies the Legal Principle the Court used in deciding the case.Facts:
What are the factual circumstances that gave rise to the civil or criminal case? What is the relationship of the Parties that are involved in the case.Issue(s):
Lists the Questions of Law that are raised by the Facts of the case.Holding:
Shares the Court's answer to the legal questions raised in the issue.Concurring / Dissenting Opinions:
Includes valuable concurring or dissenting opinions and their key points.Reasoning and Analysis:
Identifies the chain of argument(s) which led the judges to rule as they did.
- The Brief Prologue closes the case brief with important forward-looking discussion and includes:
Policy:
Identifies the Policy if any that has been established by the case.Court Direction:
Shares where the Court went from here for this case.