How A Dallas Social Security Disability Attorney Can Help Your Case?

It is always a good idea to have an experienced attorney by your side when you are considering making a claim for disability benefits. There are countless cases of claimants becoming frustrated with the application process and/or being denied the first time. As a result, many people never file another appeal once they are denied. Do not give up and miss out on the benefits you need and deserve. Having a disability attorney can be instrumental in ensuring you secure the disability benefits you need.

There are many reasons you need a Disability Attorney Dallas can trust.

Reasons to Hire a Social Security Disability Attorney in Dallas, TX

The main reason you should hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Dallas Texas is that doing so increases the likelihood of getting approved. After all, the majority of initial applications are denied. This happens for a number of reasons. Many people simply fail to fill out their forms accurately and completely.

Some people simply do not meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Beginning with the first filing and ending with the final hearing, you need a Social Security Disability Lawyer Dallas applicants trust. These attorneys will evaluate your application and case, including: your alleged date of disability onset, your adherence to disability criteria, your employment and earnings history, and other relevant information.

A good attorney will ensure that all pertinent facts are presented to the SSA.

If you appeal and go to a hearing, your attorney may be especially helpful. A Social Security Disability Attorney Dallas deserves is a professional who understands hearings, inside and out. There is often a long wait time before the hearing and, in the meantime, you and your attorney must prepare for possible evidence, questions and concerns to be addressed in court.

Your lawyer will typically acquire the professional opinion of doctors, as well as critical test results, reports and other forms of documentation. Your lawyer will draft a compelling brief to be presented to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Additionally, your attorney will obtain your testimony at the trial, along with cross-examining the medical expert. This will help to establish the fact that you are not able to work and are totally disabled, under the SSA’s definition.

Your lawyer will present important legal arguments to show that you were wrongfully denied by the SSA.

When to Call a Social Security Disability Lawyer

As a rule of thumb, you should always call your SSD Attorney Dallas representative as early as possible. You should even call an attorney for a free consultation if you are thinking about filing your claim. Your attorney will help you to understand the merits of your case, and if you even have a case in the first place.

Though you can go through this stage without an attorney, a disability lawyer may significantly improve your likelihood of getting approved. The majority of applicants are denied at this stage. Given this fact, having an attorney may help you to reduce some of the uncertainty. After all, disability attorneys are specifically skilled in this area of law.

If you get denied, you will definitely want legal representation. Firstly, this shows that you are taking your denial seriously. The SSA will see that you care deeply about receiving benefits, and want to do everything possible to receive them.

Moreover, having a lawyer will offer the expertise and experience you lack yourself. When you are disabled and struggling, the last thing you want to do is to worry about the law.

You may need the process to move quickly, especially if you are in a dire financial or medical condition. This is why you should hire the Social Security Lawyers Dallas can rely on. In some cases, your lawyer may be able to call for an OTR (On the Record) decision from the judge, which makes you eligible to get benefits without a hearing.

In many cases, disability claimants have to wait months and months to get their cases resolved through appeal. An attorney can make this process more streamlined, provided you have presented your most complete, compelling argument for disability benefits.

The only time you really do not need a lawyer is if you have already filed and are waiting for the SSA to respond. Other than that, you should always consider legal aid.

The Initial Consultation with a Disability Lawyer

During your initial consultation, either the attorney or a staff member will talk to you in order to gather all the facts of the case. The attorney will determine the merits of your case based on the facts that you present. The initial consultation is usually always done over the phone, though you can arrange an in person meeting, as well.

The attorney or trained staff members will be able to determine whether your case has a chance of a positive outcome. Based on that, it will be decided whether your lawsuit should or should not move forward.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you need the Disability Lawyers Dallas trusts, you are not alone. Many Dallas applicants find themselves needing help. One aspect of the application process that requires help is the gathering of medical evidence.

When you hire an attorney, you will sign a medical privacy release to give the attorney access to all your medical records.

Social Security usually determines the kind of testing required for you to win your claim. The attorney will review your records and determine if additional medical testing is needed. The Social Security Administration (SSA) may call for a consultative examination (CE) from one of their doctors, or ask you to get further testing done by your own doctor.

In either case, your attorney can decide which medical records you should submit to the SSA to increase your chances of winning. Your attorney will help decide which doctors are important and which medical information should, or should not be, central to your case.

All of this information can help prove that you are disabled and unable to perform work.

How an Attorney Prepares For Your Hearing

A Social Security Attorney Dallas expert usually waits up to a month before a hearing to actually speak to the client. Until that time comes, you would mainly be talking to the administrative staff and paralegals of the firm. You can also contact your Social Security Office Dallas representatives with questions.

However, it is advised that you consult with your attorney first, before reaching out to the SSA with any further concerns. Your attorney’s staff usually has the responsibility of ensuring that all hearing deadlines are met, all medical records are acquired in time, and everything is communicated in full.

Disability attorneys usually speak to clients over the phone. However, you can always request to meet in person if you feel more comfortable that way. Before such a phone call or meeting happens, the attorney will take a close look at your file and determine the issues that have to be addressed. You should keep all your medical records and other vital documents close at hand during this discussion.

Your attorney will go through a number of questions that will most likely be asked during the hearing.

A few examples are:

Describe all your symptoms, specifically.

Do you feel anxious or depressed?

When was the first time you felt too sick for work?

Are you involved in any kind of work at present?

Do you need to see a doctor currently for your condition?

Are you addicted to any drugs or alcohol?

Can you walk a block or lift a gallon of water?

These are just a few examples of the questions you will be asked, and there are many others like these that the attorney will prepare you for answering. You should always answer honestly, even if you feel afraid or embarrassed to do so.

Remember: your attorney is here to help you, not to judge you. There is no point in hiding any of the facts. Besides, everything you say is protected under the attorney-client privilege. Therefore, your attorney cannot share any such information with anyone else.

If you are not sure why your attorney is asking for specific information, you should ask for a reason directly. At Chermol & Fishman, LLC, we are always honest and upfront. Consult our attorneys about your application or appeal for disability benefits, today.