Frederick Jace
As of 2020, over 9.7 million Americans received social security disability benefits.
What about you? Are you struggling with a new SSDI claim or unhappy with your current SSDI benefits? If so, you’ll need legal help from an experienced disability lawyer.
Here are four things to consider as you search for the best lawyer to handle your case.
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Area of Specialty
Some law firms handle many different types of law, while others specialize in one type. For the best chance of success when you apply for benefits, you’ll want to find a lawyer who specializes in social security disability.
Why? The main reason is the SSDI claims are both complicated and technical. You need a lawyer that not only understands the law but also your specific medical conditions and work requirements.
You can learn a lot by browsing the lawyer’s website to see how much content they have that relates to SSDI benefits. For example, the lawyers at Heard and Smith have dedicated their entire website to the topic of social security disability.
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Average Approval Rate
During your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask about the lawyer’s approval rate for SSDI claims. You could ask questions such as:
- What’s your overall approval rate?
- What percentage of your wins receive full benefits?
- What percentage of your wins receive partial benefits?
- What percentage of your cases are at the hearings level?
A good disability lawyer should be happy to share these figures with you. Beware, however, of anyone who guarantees they can win your case, as this is both unfair and unethical.
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Familiarity With Your Conditions
Depending on the type of disability you have, you’ll want to find a lawyer that’s familiar with the condition. Most lawyers will understand common conditions such as herniated discs or PTSD. But if your condition is unusual, you’ll want to try to find someone who’s familiar with it.
Specifically, they need to understand the impact that the condition has on your everyday life. Unless the lawyer understands how your disability affects your ability to work and your personal life, they can’t build a strong, complete case.
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How They Handle Claims
There’s an endless amount of tools available to file and track an SSDI claim, so you’ll want to ask the disability lawyer how they handle their claims.
For example, will they arrange for a consultative examination? This is when a doctor examines you and gives detailed feedback about your diagnosis, limitations, and prognosis.
What about a vocational evaluation? This involves an expert who evaluates your workplace, your job duties, and your physical or emotional ability to do your work. A good lawyer will make the necessary arrangements to build a strong case and maximize your chances of getting your claim approved.
Find the Best Disability Lawyer for Your Case
Getting legal help for social security disability benefits can seem daunting at first. Use the tips outlined above to find the best disability lawyer for your SSDI claim.
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