As a follow-up to the article published on July 4, 2016.
Although it’s possible to make your way through a disability case without a lawyer, studies show that you’re much more likely to receive the benefits you deserve if you work with a lawyer. Because these types of cases are complicated, a lawyer’s experience and knowledge can be the difference between winning and losing.
Knowing how to find the right lawyer can be challenging, but below you’ll find out how to find a good disability lawyer for your case.
Choose a Courteous Professional
A good lawyer will always treat you with courtesy and behave like a professional. Disability firms can be very busy, but the people you interact with there should still be polite, attentive, and responsive. If a lawyer or their staff doesn’t have time to return your phone calls or answer your questions, look elsewhere.
Prioritize Accessibility
Just because your lawyer isn’t always the person you speak with when you call a disability firm doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them to take on your case. It’s common for disability lawyers to spend many hours each day at trials, so you may be more likely to talk with a staff member than the lawyer. If the firm is a good one, you’ll be able to schedule a consultation with the lawyer you’ll work with, so make sure this is offered.
Pay Attention to Ethics
A good lawyer will never guarantee a positive outcome for your case. Instead, they will thoroughly examine the facts you present and then offer you an honest understanding of your case and your rights.
As a test, make sure to ask whether your claim will be approved and pay attention to how the lawyer reacts. Their answer should stress that the lawyer can’t guarantee that you’ll win your case. They should also openly admit that they cannot make Social Security disability approval happen faster than you could on your own. If you notice any ethical discrepancies, consider a different firm.
Request Firm Approval Rates
A great way to determine whether a disability firm is right for you is to request their approval rates. Make sure to ask about their overall approval rate, the percentage of approvals that occur during hearings, and how many of their wins have resulted in full versus partial benefits. A good lawyer will openly share this information with you.
Focus on Case Management
Before you commit to hiring a disability lawyer, make sure you are assigned a contact person and get details about how your case will be handled and by whom. Ask for details about the firm’s support staff, whether or not you will have a case manager, how many clients each case manager is in charge of, and how often the case manager will call you with updates. Also find out whether the firm has a paralegal, whether they will request records for you, and whether they will cover any costs for medical records. (Keep in mind that you’ll have to repay them for this later.) Only hire a lawyer if you feel that you’ll be fully supported by the staff.
Ask About Credentials
Before hiring any lawyer, you’ll want to know their credentials and get a sense of how much experience they have. First, find out how long they have been practicing disability law, whether they are licensed in their state, and whether they participate in continuing education or training. Also ask how many cases they handle annually.
Finally, find out how long they have practiced in their specific location. Many lawyers who have practiced in a specific area for a long time will have a relationship with administrative law judges who will preside over your case. This will give your lawyer the upper hand in deciding how to appeal to that judge’s decision making approach.
Special Areas of Knowledge
Cases involving mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, and other medical conditions can be difficult to win. In these cases, you’ll want to find a lawyer with experience in these areas and learn about their success rates.
Children’s cases are another example of a time when it is crucial to work with a lawyer with experience in this area. If you’re filing a claim for a child, make sure your lawyer has expertise and a strong approval rate in childhood disability cases.
Secure References
A final way to ensure that you’re choosing the best disability lawyer available is to ask for references or testimonials from their clients. Any good firm will have these available and allow you to see them.
Even if you’re unsure whether you want to work with a lawyer on your disability case, getting a free consultation can be worth it. It will help you understand your rights and give you a clear sense of the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
If you’ve suffered a disability because of an injury, book a free consultation with a disability lawyer to understand your rights.
