Working with a social security disability lawyer is often a good way to reduce the stress of the process – and to increase the likelihood of a successful SSDI or SSI disability claim. This presents many people with a new dilemma: how do I choose a good social security disability lawyer.
While you are not required to have a lawyer or advocate to file an SSDI or SSI application, it can be incredibly helpful. If you do choose to work with a Social Security disability attorney, there are certain things that you should look for to know that you are getting someone who will help you achieve the best possible result for your case.
What to Look for in an SSDI Lawyer
If you choose to seek help with your disability claim, the first thing to know is that there are two types of advocates that you may hire: an attorney (or law firm) or a non-legal organization. There are benefits to working with both types of advocates. If you choose to hire a lawyer, they will be able to use their knowledge of disability law to handle both the disability application and any appeal, if necessary.
When selecting a Social Security disability lawyer, there are several questions that you should ask, such as who will be handling your disability case and whether the law office will collect medical records and other important information for you. To develop a list of possible attorneys to hire, consider the following factors. You can then set up free consultations to narrow down the list and figure out the best disability advocate for you.
Experience In This Area of Law
Social Security disability work is a specialized area of the law. An attorney who hasn’t ever handled this type of case – or who has only represented people in a handful of disability claims – probably isn’t well-suited to take on your case. When looking to hire a lawyer, the first thing that you should check for is exactly how much experience they have handling this type of disability claim.
Communication and Professionalism
If you cannot work due to a disability, your social security disability case is very important. While Social Security disability attorneys are often very busy, they should communicate with you regularly and professionally. If you get the sense that a law firm doesn’t want to take the time to answer your questions or if you never get timely return calls, then it might be time to look for a different disability advocate.
Case Management
By their nature, Social Security disability claims involve a lot of paperwork. A lawyer should have a good system for handling this, from making records requests to ensuring that your forms are submitted on time. If the law firm doesn’t have an effective case management system, then you may want to look for another attorney.
Speak to an Experienced SSDI Lawyer Today
Bross & Frankel is dedicated to helping people with disabilities get the benefits that they are entitled to under the law. With decades of combined experience, including as a benefit authorizer for the SSA, our team of attorneys has the knowledge and skill to help you achieve the best possible outcome. To learn more or to schedule a free claim review with a disability benefits lawyer, contact our law office at (866) 708-2163.
