Why Do I Need to Hire a Disability Attorney?

As a Social Security Disability Attorney, I am often asked the question: Why should I hire and pay a lawyer in order to recover disability benefits to which I should be entitled?  After all, many claimants have paid into the Social Security system for years…it’s no wonder they are hesitant to pay additional fees for something they think they deserve with or without the help of a lawyer.

While there are many reasons as to why hiring a disability attorney may be beneficial to you, one of the main reasons is because the Social Security system isn’t always as simple as people would like to imagine.  With over 20 years of experience practicing Social Security Disability law, I have learned the ins-and-outs of the system, the language and “buzz words” of the Social Security judges, and a multitude of other tricks of the trade which my prove useful in your case.  Below are a few examples of skills and techniques brought to the table:

Recover All Available Benefits – As your lawyer, I will make certain that you have applied for all disability programs that you may be eligible for.  Claimants often apply for Social Security Disability and are not aware that they may also be eligible for SSI benefits.  I make sure to take a look at the specifics of your case and make sure you apply and receive all benefits to which you are entitled.

Rebuild your claim if it is lost by SSA – I have witnessed claimants whose Disability applications were never processed by Social Security and have heard of applications being misplaced. As an experienced disability attorney, I know ways to preserve your filing dates and help re-build your case if it has been misplaced. In many cases, I have even argued that the evidence of poor communication from Social Security is sufficient to prove that a person has filed, thereby upholding my client’s rights.

My staff and I are fully aware of what needs to happen with your case.  This is how we are able to find a problem even before Social Security notices that something is wrong.

Reopen old applications to recover the maximum amount of benefits – As your lawyer, I can see in advance if you are eligible to “reopen” older disability applications you may have filed years ago. In most cases, an application that has been filed 3 or even 4 years ago can actually be reopened. This makes you eligible for years of back benefits. If you ever filed an old application, or even if you simply called Social Security to inquire about benefits, you could potentially lose thousands of dollars if you miss the chance to re-open an old application that is available for reevaluation.

This is where good representation comes in.  We make sure to request reopening an old case if the situation calls for it; we always try to make the most out of your financial recovery.

Develop a winning strategy – With every case that I try, I carefully evaluate the case and suggest a clear-cut plan to help win.  During the process, I even meet with claimants face-to-face to go over this strategy and help them understand their role in the process.  Since I have tried thousands of disability cases, I know what it takes to win a case.  I also have a strong idea which what cases are more likely to win and what cases will not.  Even though my opinion is not a determining factor of the outcome of your case, I can offer you the advantage of my experience. If you decide to hire me as your lawyer, I will make certain that your case file is current with all the necessary medical records.  Additionally, I will work with your physician in order to “interpret” your medical issues into work limitations so that Social Security can assess your claim accurately.

Clearly Articulate your position in a hearing before a Judge – With years of court experience under my belt, I have developed a reputation for making a strong court appearance.  I strive to present a well-developed, solid argument on your behalf if your case ends up before a judge.  I will also make certain that your claims file is current by the date of the hearing.  I have seen countless times claimants who appear before a judge without any representation. As a result, many claimants have found it a great challenge presenting their own case and often end up losing in court.  After waiting as many as 2 or 3 years for a hearing date, an unfavorable result can be a devastating blow to someone with a deserving disability case.  I know all the language and buzz-words of the Judges, so I believe your chances of a favorable decision are better with good representation.

How much will it cost?

I handle most of my cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you only have to pay me IF I win. I repeat: If I do not win your disability case, then you do not owe me a penny.  In the event that we do win your case, my fee is normally 25% of any past due benefits with a cap of $5,300.  Since I often recover past due benefits in excess of $24,000, the amount you pay me ends up being much less than 25% (thanks to the $5,300 cap).  For further details, my attorney-client contract is available on my web site for you to evaluate.

No one likes to pay legal fees, especially when it comes to recovering government benefits based on a disability.  You have enough problems when you cannot work, including paying bills, coordinating medical appointments, helping your family adjust, and planning for an uncertain future.

However, I do believe it well worth it to hire a disability attorney in order to recover your benefits.  My employees and I know what it takes to win a case, and are always here to help.