How Can a Disability Lawyer Help in Social Security & Disability Claims?

Disability claims require extensive documentation and hard medical evidence. To obtain the medical records required by the SSA, you can acquire assistance from a disability lawyer.

Expertise

Many disability cases must go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Your lawyer will gather and organize medical evidence and ensure you have all the required paperwork. This includes statements from your doctors, medical records, and other supporting documentation. Your attorney will also help you explain and present this evidence in a way that is beneficial to your case. The SSA hires the VE to testify at disability hearings about what work they think you could do. At the hearing, your attorney will know what questions to expect from the VE or vocational expert. Your lawyer will prepare you for these hypothetical questions and practice responding with the VE so you can present the best possible evidence of your disabling condition. Using a disability lawyer at the initial application stage is a great idea. Still, it’s even more important if you receive a denial from the SSA and must file for reconsideration. Your lawyer will understand the reasons for your denial and can quickly get your file ready for appeal.

Experience

A lawyer can assist you in filling out the application for your disability in the early stages, decreasing the likelihood of rejection. They can also supplement your case with additional information for review by DDS during a request for reconsideration, and they can represent you at an appeal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Many attorneys and non-attorney advocates have extensive experience with the Social Security disability appeal process. They fully comprehend the Social Security and disability law Kingsport, TN, and know how to follow the process correctly.

Reputation

Choosing a lawyer with a solid reputation will benefit your case. They should be upfront about fees and, ideally, take your case contingently so that you only pay the attorney if they win your disability benefits.

Disability attorneys can also ensure that irrelevant information isn’t submitted to the SSA. This is especially important if your claim advances to the hearing level, where an administrative law judge will review your case.

If your application is denied at the request for reconsideration or hearing levels, your disability lawyer can file a civil action to challenge the SSA’s decision in federal district court. The right lawyer can help you prepare your case with key medical evidence, provide expert testimony at the hearing level, and argue persuasively about your disabling condition before a federal judge. This option can significantly increase your chances of success if your case was wrongly decided.

Fees

A disability lawyer charges a fee for services provided, usually based on a contingency agreement. This means the disability advocate or attorney only gets paid if they win their case at the disability hearing level. This provides a strong incentive to assemble solid documentation and compelling arguments that demonstrate a claimant meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. A lawyer will also keep track of the deadlines and ensure all necessary information is submitted before they expire. This includes medical records and other documentation. In addition, a disability lawyer will likely include travel costs in their fees. A disability lawyer will also help clients prepare for a hearing before an administrative law judge. They will help them prepare for hypothetical questions that will be asked about different types of work. This is particularly important if the claimant’s condition is severe enough to qualify under the grid rules.