WHY YOU NEED A LAWYER

You need a lawyer to get Social Security disability benefits because you usually have to go to court. Unfortunately, the government refuses to pay most disability claims until a judge tells them to. This is just what the system has become.

Recent statistics show that claimants represented by an attorney get approved 60 percent of the time. But non-represented claimants only get approved 31 percent of the time.

Here is the typical progressions of a disability claim in Alabama:

1. Application is denied.

2. Reconsideration appeal is denied.

3. Hearing before Administrative Law Judge - Best chance for approval

Your attorney will aggressively fight for your rights under the Social Security Act. He/she will gather medical evidence, evaluate your claim in light of all the evidence, and submit legal arguments on your behalf. Your attorney will appear with you before the judge to help present the best case possible.

What does it cost? The law does not permit an attorney/representative to charge a fee until the claim is won and back-pay has been awarded. If no back-pay is awarded no fee is ever due. Most attorneys will even bear the full expense of litigation on your claim until it has been won, saving you the expense of handling and adjudicating the case.