Getting Social Security disability benefits can be a long and complicated process. You will work closely with your lawyer and her staff. Before you hire a lawyer you must do your homework. The following steps will help you find a lawyer who can best meet your needs.
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1. Get as much information as you can before you talk to a lawyer. First, go to her website. Is there helpful information on the website about the process you will go through to get Social Security disability benefits? Or is the website just about the lawyer and her law firm? You want a lawyer who will share helpful information and teach you about the Social Security disability process.
2. When you call the lawyer's office, how are you treated? Is this staff rushed or do they treat you like a welcomed visitor? Are they helpful? Are they empathetic? The lawyer sets the tone for the office. How her staff treats you is a good indication of how the Massachusetts ERISA Lawyer lawyer will treat you.
3. You should meet with the lawyer, either in person or in a telephone consult if it is too difficult for you to get to the office. Were you given a choice? You should be!
4. When you talk to the lawyer, ask about her experience handling Social Security disability cases. How long has she been handling these cases? What percent of her practice involves Social Security disability cases? Some lawyers only devote a small percentage of their time to these cases, making it difficult for them to keep up with changes in the rules and regulations. In addition, they may not be as familiar with the judges who hear, and ultimately decide, these cases. You should look for a lawyer who devotes 50% or more of her time to Social Security disability cases.
5. Ask the lawyer what her success rate is for Social Security disability cases. No lawyer wins every case and no lawyer can guarantee a specific result in your case. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts. You want to ask this question to get an idea of how carefully the lawyer evaluates these cases throughout the process. Social Security disability cases are won or lost on the medical evidence. Your disability lawyer should continually evaluate the evidence to determine if she can prove that you are disabled. If the evidence does not support the claim, a good disability lawyer will tell you so and not take the case further unless additional evidence is available. You should look for an attorney with an 85% + success rate.
6. Ask the lawyer if she has any trial experience. Trial lawyers are trained to develop evidence, present it in the court room and argue the case to a judge or jury. Social Security disability cases may go to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. It is beneficial to have a lawyer with trial experience representing you in these cases.
7. Ask the lawyer if she has any medical or nursing training. Social Security disability cases are won or lost on the medical evidence and the evidence of physical or psychological limitations. A lawyer with medical knowledge will understand your disabling condition and be in a better position to develop the evidence and present it to the judge.
8. Ask the attorney how she will develop your case. You want to know that your lawyer will gather your pertinent medical records throughout the process, not just before your hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. In addition, your lawyer should collect specific information from your treating doctors about the limitations that prevent you from working. Your lawyer will do this through the use of special disability reports and disease questionnaires. These reports will help to strengthen your case. If the lawyer you interview is not going to take these additional steps to gather evidence, you should keep looking.
9. Ask the lawyer why she chose to work on Social Security disability cases. The answer to this question is very telling. For me, helping clients get their disability benefits is one of the greatest joys in practicing law. I know that my staff and I can make a difference in our clients' lives. Clients come into my office troubled, frustrated, worried and in pain. We work through the process together and there is no better feeling than calling a client to report that they have been approved for Social Security disability benefits.
10. Ask the lawyer who will be working on your case. The lawyer should have staff to help gather your medical records and develop the evidence. Social Security disability cases are document intensive. It is important that there is sufficient staff to obtain, maintain and file all of the necessary documents.
11. How are you treated by the lawyer? Do you feel welcomed or do you feel like a number? Ask who you can talk to if you have questions as the case develops. When can you expect a return phone call? Phone calls should be answered within 24 hours. While the attorney will not be able to return every phone call herself there should be sufficient staff available to answer your questions.
12. Do you feel comfortable with the lawyer and her staff? You are entering a long-term relationship so you must feel comfortable. During the initial consultation, were your questions answered? Were you treated with respect? Was the Social Security disability process described and explained to your satisfaction? Were the office procedures explained? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you should keep looking.
13. What do the lawyer's clients say about her? Go to her website. Are there testimonials from former clients? Is she willing to let you contact other clients for a reference? The best way to understand how you will be treated is to talk to other clients.
For most people trying to get Social Security disability benefits, hiring a lawyer is the best thing they can do to improve their chances of winning. However, you need to have the lawyer who is right for you. Taking the time to gather the information outlined above will help you to make the right decision.
If your medical condition prevents you from taking a job or find employment, you might be eligible to get disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance Law. To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the Social Security Administration has set up a few norms.
- The person cannot work as before
- The person has a condition, usually physical disability, which prevents him in engaging in profitable activities to earn a living.
- The disability is expected to last at least for a year or has been the same for more than a year.
- The person has a disability that can eventually result in death
- The person cannot take up or adjust to a job, because the medical condition makes it hard to do so.
It might be confusing for people to understand if they qualify for SSDI benefits, which is why many choose to get in touch with a lawyer. As for the amount paid, it largely depends on the average of past earnings of the person. As for 2017, the monthly disability payment on an average was $1171, with maximum benefit reaching about $2,687.
When to seek legal help?
Thanks to the formalities involved, one can be denied SSDI benefits, and such cases are not uncommon. In fact, legal experts and lawyers can solve the issue for you. The first step is to understand if you are actually eligible to get the benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance Law. Your lawyer will explain everything in detail, following which the follow steps are to be taken.
- Completing the application. The paperwork involved in Social Security Disability Insurance Law application can be complicated at best. Many people are not sure of how to go ahead, which is why they seek legal expertise on the matter. The lawyer's team can ensure that the trail of papers is completed as per requirements.
- Assistance with the reconsideration. Applications are often rejected, as mentioned earlier, and if that has occurred, do not panic or lose hope. Talk to your lawyer, who can file a request for reconsideration. Do not delay with the step, because the reconsideration request must be filed within 60 days after the first application is rejected.
- The third step is about Administrative Law Judge Hearing, which is required when the request for reconsideration is denied, as well. Another application will be moved by your lawyer before an Administrative Law Judge.
If your lawyer is competent, you can win the case in your favor in no time. It is important that you choose the right attorney for Social Security Disability Insurance Law application and follow-up procedures, if required. Take your time to evaluate the legal services available, and don't shy away from asking relevant questions. Keep in mind that your lawyer can save considerable time and money, and their payments are usually linked with the services they provide. Ask for references and meet your legal team in person before taking the final call on moving an application.