Why Do I Need An Attorney?

1. An experienced attorney has knowledge of the law.

An experienced attorney knows the law and knows what needs to be shown to prove your case. While the Administration allows non-attorney representatives to handle cases if they meet a certain criteria, non-attorney representatives are not admitted to practice other areas of law in any state because they are not admitted to the state’s bar of attorneys. Non-attorney representatives generally charge the same fee as an attorney, so why not get a representative who has proven to the state bar that he/she has the credentials and knowledge to practice law? Additionally, non-attorney representatives cannot handle Social Security claims at the Federal court level while an attorney can.

 

2. An experienced attorney can help assist you with gathering medical documentation.

An experienced attorney knows what documentation is needed to prove your claim. Many impairments have specific criteria that must be shown to establish disability. If you have a lumbar spine impairment, a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, or suffer from clinical depression,  an attorney can make requests to your doctors to ensure that he/she gets the evidence necessary to prove your claim.

 

3. An experienced attorney can cross-examine an adverse expert witness.

An experienced attorney knows how to neutralize the testimony of an adverse expert. It is common for a vocational expert and a medical expert to testify at your hearing. These are people you have never met. The vocational expert will summarize your work history for the last 15 years. The medical expert will summarize the medical records and give his/her opinion as to your limitations. Experienced attorneys not only know the law but understand vocational factors and medical terminology to ensure that you are treated fairly throughout your hearing.

 

4. An experienced attorney can draft arguments.

An experienced attorney is skilled at drafting persuasive arguments which increases your likelihood of success in your claim for benefits. An attorney knows what the Administration means by such commonly used terms as, “date last insured,” “Listing of Impairments,” and “vocational guidelines.” An attorney can draft theories that address all the complicated issues in your particular claim to make sure the Administration is not overlooking crucial information.

 

5. An experienced attorney can present convincing oral arguments.

An experienced attorney is able to think on his/her feet. When put on the spot, an experienced attorney will always have a logical answer. An experienced attorney is not intimidated by a courtroom and does not get flustered under pressure. An experienced attorney will advocate on your behalf in front of the judge.

 

6. An experienced attorney can make sure that paperwork is submitted in a timely manner.

An experienced attorney will not miss a deadline. Social Security claims have very specific timeframes that cannot be missed. An attorney is aware of what the regulations require and makes sure that every deadline is met.

 

7. An experienced attorney can answer your questions.

An experienced attorney understands you are bound to have a lot of questions in this complicated process. An attorney is there to help you get the answers you need so you have a full understanding of the whole process. If an attorney does not know an answer to your exact question, he/she will research the matter until that question can be answered.

 

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, please call our toll-free number at (800) 459-3017. There is never a fee for a consultation and there are no attorneys’ fees for representation in a Social Security matter unless we are successful in your quest for benefits.