10 Reasons Why Hiring a Disability Lawyer
Should be a No-Brainer
Social Security Disability is a complex system of medical terms, legal jargon, strict criteria and hard deadlines.
It’s no wonder people are intimidated by the process. Many take one look at all the forms to fill out and throw in the towel. Others attempt to tackle it alone, and get a rude awakening when a rejection letter arrives in the mail.
What they don’t realize is that the right Disability lawyer can decrease their stress, increase their chance of success and help them get benefits faster ― all without paying a penny out of pocket. Here are 10 reasons to strongly consider hiring a Disability lawyer at McDonald Law Firm:
No waiting in long, government lines.
The Social Security Disability system is backlogged. Last year alone, more than 2.7 million people applied for Disability benefits. By hiring a Disability lawyer, you will not have to wait in long lines at your local Social Security office or get stuck on hold waiting to talk to a government worker. In fact, you may never have to leave your home or deal with the federal government at all.
Skip the painstaking paperwork.
To apply for Disability benefits, you will be required to submit about 40 pages of forms filled with information about your medical condition, education, work history, limitations and capabilities. Gathering all that information is a daunting, draining task – especially for someone in poor health. Hiring a Disability lawyer means you can leave this heavy lifting to a person who handles Disability forms on a daily basis. The Disability team at McDonald Law Firm will handle the application or appeals process for you, meticulously completing the required forms in a manner that will bolster your claim.
You don’t speak Social Security’s language.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a seemingly endless set of confusing rules, regulations, and qualifications. Not to mention, all those acronyms: SSA, SSI, SSD, CE, VE, ME, SGA, SSA, ALJ. Understanding the Social Security Disability system is like trying to decipher a secret code. It’s best left to a well-versed Disability lawyer.
Get benefits faster and easier.
An experienced Disability attorney knows the process backwards and forwards. There’s no learning curve. A lawyer can determine if your condition meets the SSA’s strict criteria and knows how to obtain medical information and evidence in support of your Disability claim. If your claim gets denied, a seasoned attorney can identify the problem and work to overcome it. If there is a way to get your claim approved sooner, a sharp attorney will find it.
Never miss an appointment or a deadline.
The Social Security Administration is not very forgiving if you miss an important date. For example, if you don’t appeal a denied disability claim within 60 days of receiving a rejection letter, you will have to file a new application and start all over. One of the benefits of hiring a Disability lawyer is not having to worry about schedules or filing deadlines. A lawyer will handle whatever comes down the pike and keep you up to date.
A legal brief may give you a leg up.
If you are appealing a denied claim, an experienced attorney may be able to eliminate the need for a Disability hearing altogether by writing a compelling legal brief outlining your argument for benefits. If the Disability Judge is persuaded by the brief, he or she could grant a favorable decision before your hearing. This so-called “on the record review” could save time, money, stress and, most importantly, you could receive benefits faster.
Legal wrangling should be left to a lawyer.
If your Disability application was denied, there’s a good chance you will end up having a Disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ.) While this can be a very nerve-wracking experience for a claimant, it’s a Disability lawyer’s time to shine. A savvy Social Security Disability lawyer will fully prepare you for the hearing, skillfully question the expert witnesses, and make the appropriate legal and medical arguments to the judge. Hiring a Disability attorney could make the difference between winning and losing your Social Security Disability appeals hearing.
Disability attorneys are held to high, ethical standards.
Attorneys who practice before the Social Security Administration must comply with the SSA’s Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibility. By hiring a Disability lawyer, you can feel confident knowing that he or she is bound by professional conduct rules, ethical obligations and the attorney-client privilege.
No up-front fees.
The fee process for Social Security Disability claims is highly regulated. Most Disability attorneys work on contingency, which means they only get paid if they win benefits for you. If successful, the attorney’s fee is collected by the federal government out of the back pay award and capped at 25 percent or $6,000, whichever is less. The amount that goes to your attorney will likely be small compared to the amount of benefits you will receive during your lifetime.
