Having a Social Security disability lawyer improves your chances with the Social Security Administration
It is possible to file your Social Security disability application on your own. But don’t be fooled. Even though that first step is easy, dealing with the Social Security Administration about your disability claim gets much more difficult after that and it helps to have an experienced Social Security lawyer on your side.
Why it helps to have a Social Security disability lawyer working for you
The Social Security Administration Inspector General has developed some statistics about Social Security disability cases, and found that disability claimants who are represented by a Social Security lawyer have a better chance of getting an award of disability benefits than the disability claimants who do not hire lawyers.
There are probably several different reasons for this result of improved odds when you hire a lawyer, but the main one might simply be that the Social Security disability evaluation process is complicated and it makes a difference to hire someone who works with that system all the time.
Things to look for in a Social Security disability lawyer
When you look to hire a Social Security disability lawyer to help on your disability claim, there are a couple of things that you may want to look for.
First, you want someone who works with Social Security disability cases all the time so that your lawyer knows the system, knows the people, and is up-to-date on any new developments in Social Security law.
Second, you want someone with whom you feel comfortable; someone who will spend time with you and listen carefully to what you have to day about your injury or disability.
When should you hire your Social Security disability lawyer?
Most people hire their disability lawyer at one of two times: before filing the disability application or after their claim has been denied.
The choice is really up to you. An attorney can become involved at any time. Some people prefer to file their own application, but help is available at that stage if you want it.
Your Social Security disability lawyer will do a variety of things for you
The first thing that your Social Security disability lawyer will do will be to get to know you and learn about your case. The lawyer will spend some time gathering all the information necessary to prepare a plan to win your case.
After that, the exact tasks are not always the same because every person and every case is different. However, for most cases your lawyer may:
- Review your file with the Social Security Administration. It is critical that the Social Security Administration has the helpful and relevant medical reports and records. If you filed your application without a lawyer the Social Security files may need to be updated, or may have been incomplete all along.
- Work with your doctors and other medical professionals. The medical reports are very important, and your lawyer will understand what it is that the Social Security Administration is asking for.
- Consider whether or not you should see a specialist. Even though you have been seeing a doctor, it is possible that you have not been evaluated by the right type of specialist.
- Help you understand the Social Security hearing process. If your claim has been denied and you are appealing so that you will have a hearing, then you will have to testify. Your lawyer can help you know what to expect and understand what types of things the Social Security judge will be interested in.
- Work with you to find some witnesses who can testify for you. These may be family members, friends, or co-workers, and their testimony can be very important.
- Be with you at the hearing, and make any necessary legal arguments to the Social Security Administrative Law Judge.
Let me evaluate your case for you
Pursuing a disability claim with the Social Security Administration is extremely difficult on your own. Give yourself the advantage and comfort of having a Worcester and Boston disability lawyer on your side.
If you are not already represented by a Social Security disability lawyer, ask me for an evaluation or your claim. Give me a brief description of your claim using the form to the right, or contact my office at:
Alida Howard
Worcester and Boston Social Security disability lawyer
51 Union Street, Ste. 101
Worcester, MA 01608
