Social Security Disability Lawyers - Questions to Ask Before Hiring Them

In this video Marc Whitehead, Board Certified Social Security Disability Lawyer, explains questions you should ask a Lawyer before hiring them.
Statistics show claimants can double their chances of winning their disability claim if they have an experienced attorney on their side. Picking the right attorney for your disability claim could be one of the most important decisions you'll ever need to make. Social Security Disability Law can be complex- knowing how to deal with medical experts, vocational experts, grid rules, medical listings, government standards and complex government bureaucracy takes more then a novice.
What should you know about an Attorney before you hire them?
Are they a Licensed Attorney? You don't have to be a licensed attorney to handle cases before SSA. There are many companies and individuals who call themselves advocates but they are not licensed attorneys. They can handle administrative hearings but they can't take your case to federal court.
How many years of experience do they have handling Disability Claims?
This area of Law is complex so you want someone with experience.
How many Social Security Hearings before a judge have they handled?
Some Attorneys may have ten years of experience but have only handled a handful of Social Security Hearings. While other may have only a few years of experience but may have handled over 100 cases.
Is Disability Law a Main Focus of their practice?
Many attorneys are General Practitioners and handle many areas of the law. This is fine for simple cases but it may not work in your case.
Ask them to explain the Five Step Sequential Evaluation Process the SSA uses to Determine Disability.
If they can't do this then they should automatically be removed from your list of possible attorneys because this is basic Social Security Law 101.
Can they explain the SSA's Application and Appeals Process?
This again is basic Social Security Law, something any credible Social Security Lawyer should know.
Are they Board Certified in Disability Law?
To be certified the Lawyer must have practiced SSD Law for at least 5 years, handled at least 100 hearings before an ALJ, handled 20 cases before the appeals council, and handled at least 10 Federal Appeals. They also have to complete a difficult 8 hour written exam. Most lawyers are not board certified in disability law.
Have they written on the subject of Social Security Disability Law?
What is their Attorney Fee Structure?
Once you have established that they have the necessary experience you'll wanna explore their reputation.
Check the Attorney's Internet Reviews
Go to Martindale.com to check the Attorney's peer review ratings.
Check out AVVO.com for Attorney's ratings
Has SuperLawyers.com designated them as a SuperLawyer?
Ask about the Lawyer's Honors, Recognition & Organizational Memberships.
Is the Lawyer a member of NOSSCR?
For more Social Security Disability questions please feel free to download our free eBooks: The Social Security Puzzle
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Or contact our office to discuss your particular disability issues at:
Marc Whitehead & Associates Attorney at Law, LLP
403 Heights Blvd
Houston, TX 77007
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