While all lawyers and law firms handle cases differently, there are general trends concerning how disability lawyers manage circumstances and prepare for a hearing. This guide will offer you an idea of what you can expect during that process and help to answer a few common questions.

What Happens During a Free Consultation with an Attorney?

Our trained and dedicated legal team will first interview you over the phone. You can also request to speak with a member of our team in person. Since this is an especially important step, we pride ourselves in listening. After explaining the details of your case, we will inform you whether your case can be accepted and how we can help.

How Does a Disability Attorney Get Evidence?

With your permission, our disability attorney will request your medical records from your physician. They will then use their experience and expertise to find patterns. A good disability lawyer will also ask for a consultative examination (CE) from the SSA to use as unbiased evidence. Additional testing may not be required if your medical records are analyzed and there is found to be an abundance of evidence in your favor.

Do I Need to Do Anything?

No. As soon as you explain the details of your case and sign a medical waiver so that we can request your records, we become your advocate. We will work on your behalf to submit the evidence to the SSA, choose which doctor to ask for statements, and pick the relevant documents to show a judge. Our team of paralegals and admin assistants will keep you updated as they file your documents in time to meet the necessary deadlines.

How Will Your Lawyer Prepare You for Your Disability Case?

When you speak with your lawyer, they’ll review all the possible questions. This can include everything from being asked to describe your symptoms to stating your current employment status. ‘Hypotheticals’ will also be covered to rule out the possibility that you can work any job. We recommend keeping your medical records handy so that you can answer questions accurately and to the best of your ability.

Although it’s potentially embarrassing, we work hard to earn your trust so that you can tell us everything you know. This helps our disability attorney to understand all aspects of your situation and represent you most accurately. It’s always important to remember that your lawyer is bound by attorney-client privilege if you are unsure.

How Will We Argue Your Case?

Essentially, we’ll do one thing - prove that you’re disabled under Social Security disability law. In our efforts to confirm our theory, we need to prove one of the following three aspects to win your case:

• Show that your condition meets a disability “listing”
• Prove that you “grid” out of all work and that your limitations prevent you from working
• Verify that your exertion level is “less than sedentary”

The methods in which we do this include looking at Social Security’s ‘blue book’ to see if your disability is listed. We also use the ‘grid’ to show that you can’t return to your previous job, as well as using testimony to prove that you can’t perform a sedentary role. We will negotiate to help you get the maximum Social Security benefits possible.

Check out our page on Social Security Disability FAQs for answers to additional questions you might have.

How Can You Get Help with Your Disability Claim?

Attorney Charles F. Bean has helped hundreds of people win disability cases over 40+ years. He may be able to change your life too. If you think you may have a disability case, contact Charles Bean & Associates for a free consultation by calling (208) 664-1574 or submitting a contact form.