Skip to main content

LOCAL LAWYER? OR TV LAWYER?





 You see them everywhere:  billboards, magazines, TV ads.  Out-of-state law firms offering to help you with Social Security disability claims.  Over my years in practice, I have dealt with dozens of clients who hired a long distance law firm to help them get disability.  In nearly every case, they were disappointed.

Here's what the long distance or remote law firms don't tell you:

  • You won't meet your lawyer until last minute - at the hearing.
  •  Your lawyer may be changed/switched several times during the case.
  •  You may not be handled by a lawyer at all - but by an assistant.
  •  It may be very difficult to get your lawyer on the phone.
  • The person you think is representing you may not be the person who shows up for your hearing.
  • You won't get to know your representative or lawyer in advance.
  •  The lawyer may not be available for help or questions after your hearing.

There are many advantages to hiring a local lawyer to represent you in 
Social Security cases.

First, you meet your legal representative on day one.  He or she stays with you from start to finish.  

The lawyer you hire will show up to represent you in court.

Your local lawyer will answer the phone or return your phone calls.

The local lawyer knows the judges who hear Social Security cases in your area; he/she deals with these judges every day.

You are able to schedule an appointment and see and talk to your local lawyer.  Not so with the remote lawyer.

I'm not quite sure why people think a far away layer is somehow better than a local one.  Jesus may have said it best:  "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country."

 But remember:  You don't know anything about the law firm that's 1,000 miles away.  It may be a very good firm.  Or it could be a call center with an 800 number and the rest is anybody's guess.

Why not get a lawyer you can see, visit, talk to--and get to know?  Be a client, not just a case number.

"Eyeball your lawyer before you hire him!"

 

 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE

What are the top 3 most important factors in a Social Security disability case? 1.  Medical Evidence. 2.  Medical Evidence 3.  Medical Evidence 4-10     Medical Evidence Federal regulations set the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.  A claimant must meet these strict legal requirements More than anything else, the claimant's medical evidence will determine the outcome of the claim or appeal.  Without strong objective medical evidence Social Security cannot legally pay you a benefit. Objective Medical Evidence means the result of medical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies (X-rays, PT scans, MRI or CT scans). This type of evidence can only be obtained by going to your doctor. There's an old adage that says truthfully:  "The path to Social Security disability benefits runs straight through your doctor's office."  Being approved for an SSDI benefit requires objective medical proof. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECRITY DISABILITY: THE DECISION WRITING PROCESS

  By Charles W. Forsythe - The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has made a decision on your Social Security disability appeal hearing. The decision must now be sent to to a process called "Decision Writing" - where an attorney or paralegal will draft the formal binding decision, explaining the judge's legal rationale for the decision and explaining the mandatory 5-Step decision making process. The decision writing process translates a judge's ruling into a formal, legally binding document. It is a vital but time-consuming phase that ensures all medical evidence and vocational factors align with the law. A typical written decision will be 10 to 20 pages, thus very detailed.  It takes time to write one. There are many decisions ahead of yours and usually they are written in the order received. The step-by-step process breaks down as follows: The Judge’s Ruling & Instructions:  Following your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) r...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNDERSTANDING THE 5-STEP SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS

Receiving Social Security disability payments depend on one thing:  Proving that you are not able to work. The one and only thing that SSDI pays for is the physical and/or mental inability to work for a period of at least 12 months.  Who decides if you are able to work?  The Social Security Administration (SSA) will decide.--according to their own strict rules and regulations. In reaching that important decision, are you disabled or not, Social Security must use a 5-step examination process.  It's important to understand these 5 sequential steps. STEP 1:  The work Test .  Is the claimant now engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?  If yes, the claim is denied at Step 1.  They look no further.  You cannot be eligible for SSDI benefits if you are working at SGA, regardles of your medical condition.  (In 2026 you are working at SGA if you earn at least $1,690 per month from work or self-employment). STEP 2.  The Medical Requirem...
Post a Comment
Read more