In disability cases, working with an experienced lawyer is essential to receiving the compensation you are entitled to. In fact, hiring a Disability Lawyer will increase your chance of receiving benefits.
Below, you’ll get tips on what to look for to find the best disability lawyer for your case.
Get a Sense of Their Firm’s Personality
A disability lawyer that is right for one person might not be right for another because we all have different preferences. As you embark on your initial consultation with your lawyer, pay attention to how you are treated and how the lawyer communicates.
When you call the firm, the staff should be professional and treat you with respect. Disability firms are extremely busy places, so you may not be able to speak with a lawyer as soon as you call, but their staff should offer to schedule a consultation as soon as possible. Consultation times are often limited, but you should still feel like you have enough time for your questions to be answered and to describe your case in detail.
When you visit the firm, make sure you’ll have a contact person who will return your calls or provide you with information when you need it. Also ask about your lawyer’s support staff, who your case manager will be, if you’ll work with a paralegal, and how many other clients they handle. Knowing this information will help you understand how much support you’ll receive as your case progresses.
Also ask whether your contact will be in touch to update you on your case, if the firm will be responsible for getting your medical records, and what other duties they’ll take on. Pay careful attention to their answers so you can gain a clear understanding of how responsive and communicative the firm will be.
Discover the Firm’s Track Record
During your consultation, one of the most important things you can remember is that a good lawyer will never guarantee that your claim for benefits will be approved. The best lawyers will identify the strengths and weaknesses in your case and recommend steps they can take to make your approval more likely.
Knowing the firm’s disability case success rate is the best way to determine their level of expertise. Request information on their approval percentages, how many of these approvals happen during trial, and how many approvals are full as opposed to partial benefits.
Asking the firm for references is another great way to get a sense of what it’s like to work with the firm, so don’t hesitate to do this.
Consider the Lawyer’s Expertise
There are several ways to get a sense of any disability lawyer’s experience and expertise.
You should find out how many years they’ve practiced disability law, how many disability cases they handle annually, and what kinds of ongoing education they take part in.
In addition, find out how long a lawyer has been in practice in their current location. Because judges differ from place to place, a lawyer who has practiced in your area for a long time will better know how to adjust their arguments to appeal to a particular judge.
Identifying your specific type of case and ensuring that your lawyer has experience with your specific medical condition can also be a good idea. Ask about the number of cases and success rate for your condition. Keep in mind that mental illness and drug abuse disability cases are especially challenging, so you’ll definitely want to work with a lawyer with experience. If your case involves a child, it is crucial to work with a disability lawyer with a strong approval rating in childhood disability cases.
Now that you know what to look for to choose the right disability lawyer for you, find out more by downloading our free personal injury recovery kit or book a free consultation with a disability lawyer today.
