The right disability attorney will help you avoid common mistakes in your application and is responsible for 80% of claims being denied. This includes ensuring all necessary paperwork is submitted on time and correctly.

A reasonable disability attorney will also be able to anticipate what an administrative law judge (ALJ) will do with your case and adjust arguments accordingly. This is important because each ALJ has different preferences.

Experience

An experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer in Florida, or anywhere else, is well-versed in the SSA’s evaluation system. They also know what evidence is critical to an application and how to get it quickly from medical professionals.

A disability attorney will help you meet Social Security deadlines and avoid delays caused by missing paperwork. They will also stay in touch with SSA to ensure they have all the information they need for your hearing.

Reputation

A disability attorney should have a solid reputation in the field. They should also be able to hire reputable medical, financial, and occupational experts.

The disability application process is complex, and it’s unlikely that you would want to handle it on your own; you should hire a lawyer to help. A reasonable attorney should make the process easier and keep you informed. They should also be able to identify bad facts in your case.

Fees

Most disability attorneys and advocates work on a contingency basis, which means they charge nothing upfront. They make money if they win your case, and their fee is paid out of the back pay you receive.

They will help you fill out your disability application, covering all the essential bases and avoiding claim-denying mistakes. They’ll also zealously represent you at the hearing level, cross-examining experts and eliciting testimony favorable to your case.

Communication

A reasonable disability attorney will discuss the plan for your case during an initial meeting. This will help you determine if they are the appropriate lawyer for your requirements.

Attorneys with disabilities often face barriers to performance because employers assume that reasonable accommodations will remove essential job functions – for example, writing legal documents and briefs or counseling clients. An attorney will clarify that a proposed accommodation will not remove these vital duties.

Collateral Evidence

An experienced attorney will know which arguments work best for your case. They will also ensure that all application deadlines are met and that all evidence is up to date before a hearing with an administrative law judge.

Trained disability attorneys know which questionnaires to elicit from treating physicians for the most favorable opinions. They also understand how to use collateral issues at a hearing.

Schedule a Consultation

A disability attorney can help you through every step of the application and appeal process. They know what evidence to ask for from doctors and how to present it in the best light.

A quality disability firm will schedule a free consultation. Be sure to speak with the actual attorney, not just a paralegal or a staff member. 

Medical records

Access to one’s medical records is essential when filing for disability benefits. They help your doctor document the disabling effects of your condition. They also serve as substantial evidence at a disability hearing.

People generally “own” their medical information (not the physical file). This includes the right to access, correct, and request it from another institution. However, obtaining these records takes time and effort.

Deadlines

A disability attorney will follow up with the Social Security Administration to ensure all forms and medical documentation are submitted correctly and on time. They will also attend your hearing before an administrative law judge.

Mistakes can cost you a lot in your disability case. A qualified lawyer will help you avoid them and stay on top of deadlines, which could speed up your approval.

Bad facts

In some cases, there will be evidence in the medical records that can harm the case. This is known as a lousy fact, and an experienced disability attorney knows how to confront these issues and explain them at the hearing in a way that minimizes damage to the claim. Examples include evidence of drug or alcohol abuse or inconsistent treatment records.