Skip to main content

TV LAWYERS VS. LOCAL LAWYERS

"Have Briefcase, Will Travel"

You're watching Gunsmoke on late night TV.  A well dressed lawyer suddenly appears on a slick TV ad.  He promises to help you get your "much deserved" Social Security disability.  You are presented an 800 number to call.  You don't know where that call will be answered, or by whom.  It almost certainly won't be answered by the guy on TV--who was probably a paid actor pretending to be a lawyer.  The real lawyers may be in New York, Texas, Florida or Hawaii. Who knows?

Things you need to know about some TV lawyers:

1.  These lawyers may not be local.  While some local lawyers do advertise on TV, many national firms from out of state also advertise on TV.  

2.  When you call a toll free number, you don't know where the call is going or where it will be answered.  Probably, it goes to a national call center which takes thousands of calls each day.

3.  You may never speak to the real lawyer.  Your paperwork may be handled entirely by a clerical worker, a call center employee or at best a paralegal.  

4.  If you are getting ready for a Social Security disability hearing before a judge, it's very likely you will not meet your lawyer until a few minutes before the hearing starts. This makes it  a very non-personal relationship where everything has been handled over the phone or by mail.  No personal service.

5.  If your attorney is a "remote" representative (working from an office thousands of miles away) -- you may not be able to call and speak to the lawyer and he/she may not return your phone calls personally.  

I dare say this is not the kind of arrangement most people want.  Most people want a local attorney or advocate who lives in or near their hometown--someone you can visit at their office, speak to on the phone--or get your call returned promptly.  If this is what you expect, I encourage you to obtain representation locally--in or near your hometown.  If you want personal service--where you can meet with your representative as you prepare you case--call a local advocate or attorney.

The Forsythe Firm is located in Huntsville, across from Bridge Street.  We have been in the same location for almost 2 decades.  We offer full service representation:  meaning, you can meet with us, call us, or ask questions any time.  When we appear at your hearing we will be a familiar face whom you know and have worked with.  You will always be able to speak to the professional who is working your case.  

 I'm not saying that all TV lawyers are bad.  But they may not be the personal, close advisor that you want and need.  

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...
Post a Comment
Read more

CAN YOU WIN YOUR DISABILITY APPEAL WITHOUT A LAWYER?

The Social Security Administration does not require you to have a lawyer to file an appeal or to appear at a hearing.  However, most people heading for a disability hearing will hire a lawyer or advocate to help them.   Studies have shown that you are about twice as likely to win with a lawyer.  A recent study found that claimants with no lawyer win about 30 percent of the time while claimants with a lawyer or advocate win 60 percent of the time.   " He just cooked his own goose." These statistics cover only one aspect of a disability appear--your odds of winning. The other important aspects are time and convenience. If you prepare and adjudicate your own disability appeal, expect to spend 12 to 24 months working on the case.  You will be collecting, reading and submitting hundreds or thousands of pages of medical records.  These records are complex and often difficult to understand.  And you must know how each medical record helps (or hurts) your dis...
Post a Comment
Read more

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION

MISTAKES THAT RUIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION  The paperwork for Social Security disability is daunting:  page after page of never-ending questions.  But, since most applications will be denied, it behooves you to complete the application correctly.  Here are some mistakes on your Social Security disability application that may ruin your claim.   Failing to Fill Out the Forms —The Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a lot of forms to fill out. It’s up to you to make sure that you fill out every part of those forms correctly.  Don’t forget: if a question doesn’t apply to you, put “not applicable” or “N/A” in the provided space.   Do not leave anything blank. Return all forms within 10 days. If you don't your application may be discarded or withdrawn. Writing Illegibly —If your case reviewer can’t read your answers, then he/she can’t really say that you answered that question. Be sure the  answers to questions are nea...
Post a Comment
Read more