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Personal Injury Lawyer
When you are seeking disability benefits, you might wonder whether or not you need a disability lawyer. Applicants who hire a disability lawyer are more likely to be approved than those who don’t. In fact, there is approximately a 50 percent greater chance of approval! The reasons for this are many. Knowing what they are will help you to make a decision as to whether you should hire a disability lawyer.
Medical Evidence is Needed
One of the most important factors to having a claim approved is being able to demonstrate the disability. This can be done through medical evidence. Many applicants don’t know what evidence the Social Security Administration is looking for, and as a result, might submit the wrong or irrelevant information. Sometimes, they will send too much.
A disability lawyer knows what medical evidence is needed in order to be approved for a claim. A lawyer will carefully review your case and medical records to determine whether you might need further tests or records. He or she will then work with you to get all the information, and submit it on time to the Social Security Administration. Any irrelevant information will not be submitted. This is important, especially if your case goes before a judge.
Communicating with Medical Providers
You will likely need a supportive opinion from your medical provider. Some doctors are open to providing this and others are not. There are different reasons for a doctor not willing to help a disabled patient. Some don’t understand that process or are too busy to complete the paperwork. Doctors are often more willing to respond to a lawyer’s request. A disability lawyer can deal with any medical professional, address their concerns, and ensure they complete the opinion part of the application.
Experience with the Hearing Process
Many applicants are initially denied. When this happens, there are multiple levels to appeal the decision. Part of the appeals process will be to present your case before a judge. A disability lawyer will have the experience and knowledge needed to represent you, and ideally win your appeal.
A lawyer will also be familiar with the Administrative Law Judges in their district. This matters because a lawyer will know how the judge prefers to hear a case, and whether he or she might have any bias towards certain conditions.
Working with Bad Facts
In some cases, an applicant’s medical record will contain information that is not beneficial to their case. These are known as bad facts. Sometimes this could be a doctor’s opinion that is not supportive of the disability. Or, there may be inconsistencies in treatment. Regardless of the specifics, a good disability lawyer can handle any bad facts with the objective of minimizing damage to your case.
A Disability Lawyer is Prepared for What Might Lie Ahead
Disability lawyers know what to expect in the application process, and each level of appeal. They know the rules and regulations of the SSA and are able to identify the arguments that will benefit your case. A lawyer can also anticipate weaknesses in your case, and manage them to the best of their ability.
As you can see, there are a number of benefits to hiring a disability lawyer, like from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt. For more information, please call a law firm.
