How to Locate the Ideal Disability Law Firm in Your Area
The Basics of Disability Law
An understanding of disability law includes a basic familiarity with the main terms that define the area of law. The big three are Social Security Disability (SSD), long-term disability (LTD) insurance claims, and special education law. At the Broad Law Firm we handle only SSD and LTD. By googling your location (like "Atlanta disability law firm"), you should be able to find a company that focuses on SSD and LTD.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
SSD is the federal government agency that grants benefits to individuals with long-term disabilities that prevent them from working. In order to qualify, an individual must demonstrate an inability to perform any occupation defined in the SSA lists of occupations. SSD has been paid into for several years through mandatory tax/asset deductions from people’s paychecks. It is thus a right, not a privilege , to receive these funds once you have paid into them. Paid-in benefits is not the only qualifying factor though; you must also meet other requirements including meeting the criteria of social security’s "Blue Book" listing.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
LTD insurance takes over after your short-term disability insurance terminates and continues to provide benefits for the length of your policy (usually until age 65). Companies typically offer LTD through employers, but there is no guaranty that the employer will sponsor the program or that you will be eligible for the program. Some companies also sell personal LTD plans, which help individuals who cannot get qualified through their employer or otherwise. Be sure to understand your LTD plan so that you can apply for benefits within the required period and protect your rights to the benefits.
SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
Individuals with disabilities also occasionally experience difficulties in obtaining the accommodations they need in schools and other educational settings. They may benefit from help in preparing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), behavioral assessment, or other tools that help them succeed.
What Makes a Local Disability Law Firm Special?
You might not realize it, but hiring a local disability law firm has it’s benefits. First and foremost, you’re likely hiring a law firm that knows the local regulations and laws. If you apply for Social Security in Mississippi, that matters. Our understanding of Mississippi vocational issues can affect a claim. So does our knowledge of the judges in the area. Trust me, when you’ve litigated Social Security disability claims in 28 states (as I have), you know what goes on in other places.
In addition to knowing the regulations inside and out, a local disability law firm can provide much more personalized service. We know our clients. We know when you call, your Mom just told you she is moving to Oregon. We know when your Dad just had heart surgery and it looks bad. We know when your car needs tires.
We aren’t just claiming to be nice to get your business. We are nice because we are people, and we are in this to help people. There is no need to pretend to be nice. We also work for a percentage of the benefits you are paid so we make our fees contingent. So there is never a need to pretend to be nice to get you as a client. We are as down to Earth as they come.
In addition to having a real desire to help clients, a local disability claims law firm will be in it for the long haul. We are not going to run off to Peru on an annual business trip. We aren’t going to leave the state or the clients that deal with the unfortunate event of a disability and need us to help on their claim.
What Kind of Services Do Disability Law Firms Provide?
Disability law firms generally offer a range of services to assist clients with their disability needs. Typically, the firm will provide legal representation before a state or federal court in conjunction with collecting Social Security disability payments for clients. Depending on the firm, this may also include supervision of all Social Security paperwork to ensure that no potentially disqualifying errors are made or deadline missed. Other firms may place less emphasis on this, handling more aspects of the process through a paralegal.
Some firms offer consultation to those who may be considering filing a complaint due to a disability. This may include both public and private sector employees. In this case, the firm will typically review any potential filing and determine whether further legal action would be appropriate, looking for instances where a lawsuit could have potential claims.
Firms will also engage in disability hearings, which will often precede filing of a suit. This involves the claimant appearing before the judge or hearing officer. The hearing is intended to determine whether the claimant in question is eligible or not for benefits. If the hearing does not go as desired, the firm may then file an appeal if the client wishes to continue pursuing the case. Certain actions may be appealed even if they are time barred, though the appeals process has a strict timeline.
How to Assess and Choose Between Law Firms
You might think the best way to get that information is to just look at statistics and rankings, but we know the numbers aren’t always the whole truth – and besides, when it comes to something as personal as how a lawyer will treat you, encountering them on a listing isn’t much of a guarantee.
When it comes to narrowing down your options in order to best evaluate a disability law firm near you, you want to look for the contacts you can make. Statistics, while useful in theory, stay pretty theoretical, whereas you can connect with real people when you show up at a law firm . Ask around to see if it’s true that the firm you’re looking at treats their clients well and deliver results along with communication and care. Depending on your situation, you may have more specific needs than mere compassion, like the ability to address certain disabilities; for example, your law firm of choice should have experience representing people with issues related to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger syndrome, bipolar disorder, depression, diabetes, and obesity, just to name a few. You’ll also want to clarify their process for handling initial consultations, claims denials, and appeals.
Typical Struggles with Disability Cases
The disability claims process can be complex and overwhelming, with a multitude of potential challenges. From gathering the necessary medical evidence to navigating the intricacies of disability law, claimants often find themselves struggling to make their case. Often, individuals may not have the legal knowledge or resources to properly pursue their claim or respond to denials. Additionally, there may be issues with obtaining medical records, dealing with insurance companies, meeting deadlines, or understanding the legal jargon in the relevant documents.
How does a law firm help in overcoming these challenges? A specialized disability law firm can provide essential support and guidance throughout the claims process. Experienced disability lawyers will know which evidence is necessary to support a claim, how to deal with insurance company delays and denials, and how to interpret the policy’s terms and conditions. Moreover, a law firm that specializes in disability cases will understand the specific legal requirements in your jurisdiction and help you navigate them effectively.
Overall, a skilled disability law firm has the expertise and experience to help claimants overcome potential challenges and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Disability Law Success Stories in Client Testimonials
"Penn Disability Law helped me through a challenging time in my life. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and my social security benefits claim was denied. The insurance firm representing my employer was giving me the runaround. A friend referred me to Penn and Adrian Cohen represented me. He settled the case to my complete satisfaction. I highly recommend Penn Disability Law. They are very competent and their fees are reasonable."
– Gregory H.
"I came to Adrian Cohen and Penn Disability Law after a traumatic brain injury left me unable to continue my job as a nurse. I didn’t know where to start in filing my disability claim, and I emailed Adrian with some specific questions. Not only did he get back to me right away, but he explained everything that I needed to know for a successful claim and made me feel confident in the whole process. I highly recommend Adrian and the caring staff at Penn Disability Law. They are a truly trustworthy firm."
– Jennifer W.
"After suffering from cancer, I had to undergo a hysterectomy, six months later I had double knee replacement, chronic back pain, and I had a partial foot amputation . All of this occurred in a short year and a half. I went in front of an administrative law judge for social security disability and was denied. I was devastated. A kind soul told me about Mr. Adrian Cohen and I went to him for help. It was the best move I could have ever made. Adrian and the team at Penn Disability Law were the best advocates that I could have asked for. If you need assistance in social security disability claims, there is no other place I could recommend."
– Billey T.
"I had a back injury at work and had difficulty getting compensation from my employer’s carrier for this injury. After some back surgery I was not able to work and filed for disability benefits under social security. I was denied and then a friend referred me to Penn Disability Law, which is affiliated with Martin Edelman, P.C., I spoke with Adrian Cohen, who assured me that I had a case even though Social Security disagreed. I followed his advice and secured all the medical documentation necessary to proceed with my claim. Adrian represented me before the administrative law judge and I was successful in obtaining my disability benefits."
– Michele W.