Why Social Security Disability Claimants Need a Lawyer
Disability claims can be hard to pursue because they follow many legal guidelines. The average layman may get confused by the number of terms and rules around the claim. That being said, an attorney is essential to solve this issue and handle everything on your behalf. Moreover, studies show that those represented by a lawyer have a higher chance of winning the case, as opposed to people who face social security on their own. To convince you more, we have listed some of the reasons why, as a claimant, you need a well-experienced attorney.
Guide You in the Application Process
Case representations shouldn't be underestimated because they indicate the first impression the judge will get. Lawyers understand the application process and know how to show your disability as a fact that is not liable to doubt. However, you should provide them with detailed medical records so they can document them in a presentable way. This is essential because the main cause of rejection is the lack of medical proof. You should submit all of the papers as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the lower your chance of getting compensation becomes. If the VA denies your claim you can appeal your VA disability rating.
Prove That You Qualify
Social security checks your claim and reviews it for either approval or rejection. Dismissing the case is probably not an option for you. To make sure that it comes through, you need to have disability lawyers by your side because they are capable of proving that you qualify as they know the ins and outs of the law. For instance, the severity of your impairments can hugely affect the case. Your mental or physical disability must prevent you from functioning properly and working to be considered severe. Moreover, if your condition can be medically corrected, your claim may be dismissed as well. They also review the list of impairments to see whether your disability is on it or not. If you don’t have the same one, they will try to find a similar disorder.
The organization will also check to see whether you’re working and earning money above a certain range or you are barely gaining any cash. In case you have a good salary, you won’t qualify even if your disability is severe. That being said, a professional law practitioner is needed to advise you on this aspect.
In some cases, you may not be on the list, but at the same time, you are incapable of doing the work you used to do before being incapacitated. For example, if you used to carry heavy items and your back injury is preventing you from going back to the job, your claim may be approved. The examiner will also see whether you can do any other job or if there are no other positions for you in the country.
Representing You at Appeals
If your original claim is denied because it doesn’t meet any of the qualifications, your lawyers will represent you at appeals. They will try to convince the social security to set a date for hearings where they can guide your testimony. In the meantime, they will recollect evidence in case any little proof was missed in the first application. They will also prepare a speech to convince the judge that your condition has impacted your life and reduced its quality drastically. You may also be in dire need of financial support, so your attorney will try to speed up the process. If your claim is of a military nature then you may wish to check out California military attorney, or a similar military attorney in your area, and they will guide you further in this specialist arena.
Spot a Weak Case
A professional disability attorney has reviewed thousands of similar cases and they can spot a weak case at first glance. If they tell you that this claim won’t hold up in court, it mostly won’t. Some of the red flags they will notice can be corrected by gathering evidence or trying to get your words straight so you won’t jeopardize yourself in front of the judge.
For instance, the lack of supportive medical reports will get your case dismissed in no time. You should have your medical bills, prescriptions, reports, and doctors’ written words all gathered in one file. You also need to follow the physicians’ orders because any slacking on your side will be considered dishonesty. In these cases, the lawyer will try to correct any mishap to be able to go forward with your case.
Some people like to face their cases head-on without a lawyer, but they put themselves at risk of getting rejected. Moreover, becoming disabled is horrifying and it will be hard to deal with your medical condition and the legal aspects at the same time. That’s why hiring a lawyer is your best chance at winning a claim and having a clear head to focus on readjusting your life after the incident.