PROTECT YOUR FUTURE THROUGH PREPARATION AND PERSISTENCE:
Author • June 28, 2017
Protect Your Future Through Preparation and Persistence: Preparing for a Social Security Disability Suit
Social Security disability benefits were established by the government in order to guarantee that people who are unable to provide for themselves have a degree of dignity and security. If your disability makes it impossible for you to work, it's important to have the confidence that your rights and interests will be looked after.
Unfortunately, in many cases, people with a legitimate claim to disability benefits may have their claims denied. Rather than allowing yourself to be discouraged by that experience, it's important that you consider your options and gear up to fight for the assistance that you rightfully deserve.
Below, you'll find a guide to some steps you should take in preparing for your Social Security disability lawsuit. By following these suggestions, you put yourself in the best position to secure a favorable outcome, and you can remove the stress and worry that comes from stagnation of your day-to-day life.
Consider Mediation
Many disability suits take an extended period time to come to court and reach a conclusion. While it can be reassuring to know that the wheels are in motion to protect your interests, it may be difficult to handle the intervening time before the case is settled. If you have a need for a faster time frame, you might consider some of the positives that can come from mediation.
The mediation process is designed to save some of the time, effort, and money that go into formal legal proceedings by creating an equitable negotiation over your potential benefits. Talk to your lawyer about the positives and negatives of the mediation process and ask about the potential outcomes of your case.
If an extended fight is unlikely to substantially improve your disability award compared to what's being offered through mediation, you may be better off accepting the settlement and simply moving forward.
Document Your Condition
Being declared unable to work is a complicated process, and there are multiple angles from which the government may attempt to contest your claim. Fortunately, people with a legitimate disability have the facts backing their claim.
With the proper documentation, you should be able to make it clear that you have a serious medical condition that will prevent you from being able to support yourself otherwise.
In order to verify your claim, you may have to see a number of doctors and secure their opinions through verified reports. Though the process may seem arduous, it's likely to eventually pay off when you receive the benefits that are rightfully yours.
You might also find yourself being seen by a doctor who's able to relieve some of your symptoms. That’s another benefit of taking steps to diversify the medical opinions you receive.
Document Your Claims
Your medical status isn't the only thing that may be placed under scrutiny. Before seeking legal recourse, the government is likely to ask you to demonstrate that you've exhausted every possible avenue in the application process.
It's important that you keep a copy of every claim form you submit and even keep a running journal of the entire disability application process. If you were unable to do so since the beginning of the process, sit down with your attorney and work together to try to jog your memory and build the best record you can.
When preparing for a Social Security disability suit, relying on an experienced professional can help you achieve the best possible outcome and give you access to years of knowledge.
The right attorney will work as your trusted advocate and provide you with a great deal of comfort and security during this difficult time. The attorneys at Gordon & Pont PC
have the necessary experience to guide you through your Social Security disability case.
Struggling with a delayed claim? A Social Security attorney in Detroit, MI can help speed up the process. Contact Gordon & Pont PC today at (248) 395-4100!
KEY TAKEAWAYS • If it’s complicated applying for Social Security benefits, or if a disability claim has been rejected, you can enlist an attorney for help. • Be sure to identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and know their way around the system. • Make sure the lawyer you choose has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding. • Many of these lawyers will take a retroactive fee based on Social Security benefits received from a successful case—limited to 25% of your past-due benefits up to a maximum of $9,200. Pre-Qualify Yourself Before even looking for a lawyer, know the basics of Social Security. Most cases that may need the help of a lawyer involve disability claims. Social Security disability is for people who have a medical condition that fits Social Security’s definition of a disability. And to qualify, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. In other words, if you never paid into Social Security, you’re not going to get anything out. If you have not worked enough or recently enough to “insured” for social security disability benefits, you may still qualify for SSI if you meet both the medical and non-medical (meaning financial) requirements. If you do qualify, you can get monthly benefits checks only if you are unable to work for at least one year because of a disability. What a Lawyer Can and Can’t Do A lawyer can speed up your application or appeal because can help you avoid mistakes and can submit needed documents faster. However, the SSA is woefully understaffed which means everything is taking longer than it should. While a lawyer can’t guarantee that you’ll win, your chances of success improve greatly. Because we are paid only once we win, experienced lawyers are skilled in identifying strong cases. How to Find the Right Lawyer You can find Social Security disability lawyers in a variety of ways. The internet has plenty of lawyer referral sites. Legal aid clinics and referral services operated by state bar associations are also sources for the names of people to interview. Be careful. Just because you find an attorney by searching one of these sources doesn’t guarantee they’ll be good, ethical lawyers. A better way to put together a list of lawyers to interview is probably through word of mouth, in person, or through social media, from people who have had good experiences with a Social Security disability lawyer and by reading reviews from former clients. Red Flags Make sure you speak to and hire a real lawyer and not an “advocate” or the like. Be cautious of “case managers” and insist on speaking with your lawyer. Although disability lawyers are busy, you want to hire one who has a staff of people who will answer any questions you have accurately and promptly. How Much Will It Cost? Cases will cost you nothing upfront. Lawyers take their fees from any retroactive benefits you’re awarded from Social Security. The fee is limited to 25% of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $9,200. The attorney will have you sign a document that allows Social Security to pay the law firm directly. If you get nothing, you owe the lawyer nothing. Because the lawyer will likely have to request medical, school, work, and psychological records that come with a cost, they might pass on that fee to you. This should be a couple of hundred dollars at most. Setting up a patient portal with our doctor or hospital is an excellent way to avoid that cost. Since it costs you nothing unless and until you win, consider talking to somebody if you file a claim and get turned down initially. The Bottom Line You should get an attorney’s help if you’re having trouble applying for Social Security benefits or if a disability claim has been rejected. Identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and who know their way around the system. Make sure your lawyer has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding.
Get expert tips from a Social Security benefits attorney in Detroit, MI, to maximize your benefits. Contact Gordon & Pont PC today at (248) 395-4100!
Learn why hiring a disability attorney over a non-attorney advocate can benefit your Social Security Disability claim. Discover key differences in qualifications, legal expertise, ethical protections, and more.
Gordon & Pont is a highly reputable Social Security Disability law firm in Detroit, offering expert legal assistance for claims, appeals, and hearings. With years of experience, they provide personalized, compassionate representation to help clients secure the benefits they deserve. Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call for a consultation!
The timeline for Social Security Disability benefits can vary, but understanding the process—from initial application to appeal—can help you avoid delays. Learn how to speed up your claim and why hiring an experienced lawyer like Gordon & Pont is essential for a faster resolution. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn how Social Security work credits are earned and how many are needed to qualify for SSDI benefits. Discover the requirements, including the Date Last Insured (DLI), and get expert help from Gordon & Pont for your SSDI case. Contact us today for guidance! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Denied SSDI or SSI benefits? Understand the Social Security Appeals process, including reconsideration requests, ALJ hearings, and further appeals. Get expert legal help from Gordon & Pont to improve your chances of success. Contact us today for a consultation! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.