In a single year, 9,537,906 people received Social Security disability benefits. Finding the right lawyer could prove essential to filing your disability claim. Otherwise, you might not receive the benefits you deserve.
Read on to learn how to choose disability lawyers with your needs in mind. With these tips, you can simplify your search to fight for your benefits.
Gather Referrals
Talk to friends and family members in the area to gather a list of referrals. If they haven’t hired a disability lawyer in the past, ask about lawyers they hired for other cases. For example, maybe they needed a personal injury lawyer after an auto accident.
Determine if the same law firm also takes on disability claims.
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask each client about their experience. For example:
- Was the lawyer experienced
- Did they meet your needs
- Would you hire them again
- Were they professional
If you don’t have friends in the area who recently hired a lawyer, check online. Visit your local bar association website to draft a list of disability lawyers. Look for client reviews on each attorney’s website, Google Business, and BBB profile.
Look for local lawyers who already have a glowing reputation. You can trust a lawyer other clients in your position trusted in the past.
When reading online reviews, look for comments about the lawyer’s professionalism and timeliness.
Check for Experience
Determine how long each disability lawyer has practiced law in the state. Look for an attorney with years of relevant experience. An experienced lawyer is less likely to make mistakes when handling your disability claim.
During your meeting with each lawyer, ask how many cases like yours they’ve handled in the past year. For example, perhaps you’re filing a mental disability claim. You can learn about mental disability claims here.
When interviewing each attorney, confirm they’re well-versed regarding Social Security benefits. Make sure they thoroughly understand the process, what documentation is required, and what evidence they should present for your case.
Confirm that they’re up-to-date with the latest local Social Security disability laws, too.
Schedule a Consultation
Schedule a consultation with two or three local attorneys on your list.
Make sure they’re educated, experienced, and licensed to practice in the state. Discuss your legal needs and ask what legal strategy they would recommend.
During the appointment, evaluate their personality and manner. Look for a strong communicator with analytical skills. Look for a lawyer you can trust to communicate on your behalf.
Consider Costs
Ask three local lawyers about their fee structure. Determine how they calculate their costs and if you’ll need to pay their fees upfront.
Don’t choose the cheapest lawyer available. Comparing lawyer fees can help you determine the average cost to ensure you don’t overpay.
Learn How to Choose Disability Lawyers Today
Learning how to choose disability lawyers shouldn’t feel stressful. Use these simple tips to narrow down your options. Then, hire a lawyer who can fight with your interests in mind.
With their help, you can get the benefits you deserve.
Searching for more tips? Explore our latest guides today.
