Having a disabling injury or illness is devastating in itself which is why it is so essential to employ an attorney that is experienced in disability claims, especially if you’ve already been denied. There is nothing worse than the insecurity of viable income when you are disabled and don’t need additional worries. Your living expenses and medical bills can become overwhelming so securing the services of an attorney who can assist you in obtaining Social Security Disability benefits is only going to help your chances.
There are over a million individuals in the queue awaiting approval to receive benefits, and what most people don’t know is that the process can take several years. There is a variety of case types, and some require more steps to process than others depending on the details of the claim. Unfortunately, there is a high percentage of qualified applicants that get denied. Most cases get rejected because of incomplete details or unclear answers. These are the details that a good disability lawyer is experienced in encountering. Selecting a good attorney will only help you navigate through the system faster. So how do you choose a disability lawyer? Here is what you want to consider when choosing a disability lawyer.
1. Does your potential lawyer know the Social Security system inside and out?
There is no doubt that disability law is a specialty. Attorneys who don’t practice Social Security law are not as familiar with the complex regulations that exist.
2. Is the attorney local?
Ideally, you want an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the local judges at your hearings office along with the medical and vocational experts that may be called to review your claim.
3. Can you afford the disability lawyer?
Most Social Security disability lawyers charge the same fee in your area. The fees have to be approved by the Social Security judge so that it can be withheld from your back pay and then given to the attorney by the Social Security Administration. Meaning that the lawyer will only get paid if your benefits are awarded.
4. Research your potential lawyer’s online profile.
It is not difficult to do in-depth information regarding your potential attorney. You will want to find out how dedicated the lawyer is to Social Security disability and what case types he or she has won in the past. There are several online directories that have a variety of data available regarding the lawyers in your area that may help you decide on the right fit for your case.
