When dealing with a disability, there are so many procedures that are required by the federal government in filing claims so that you can get the benefits that you rightfully deserve. It is an experience that can be physically and emotionally draining. Legal support from your disability lawyer can prove to be very beneficial during this difficult time in your life.
The lawyer is responsible for helping you with the claim process so your life can go back to normal as much as possible. Even though disability lawyers handle the cases in different ways, there are lots of similarities in the approaches they use to develop and manage the cases in readiness for the hearing. Below are some of the major things you should expect from your lawyer.
Detailed interview
When you contact the attorney for representation, the next thing they will do is schedule an initial interview with you. The lawyer can come to you and the main objective of the interview is to get all basic facts regarding the case. The facts are what will be used to develop a case using an approach that has higher success rates in your favor. The interview can be by phone or physical meeting. If the case has higher chances of winning then the lawyer will be more than willing to represent you.
Develop medical evidence
Once you trust the attorney with your case, you will be required to sign medical privacy release, which will allow them access to your medical records. After reviewing the medical records, the lawyer will determine whether there is a need for any other additional tests to increase winning chances of the claim. Social Security dictates the exams that need to be taken for disability and the lawyer may ask it to consultative examination scheduling with one of their doctors or you may be allowed to get testing done privately. The doctors involved will offer supportive statements on any functional limitations if any and the lawyer will decide what to do with any bad evidence that could end up hurting the case and also decide what medical records are most relevant to submit.
Prepare you for hearing
Once all the documents are ready and the hearing date is close by, your lawyer will start preparing you for the claim hearing. The pre-hearing communication really matters because it gives you an idea of how the case will be conducted and also teaches you how to answer the questions that will possibly be asked. The lawyer will go through the common questions with you. Some of the questions can be embarrassing and if you are not sure of their relevance you can always ask that the lawyer clears why you should answer that question and how it helps the case.
Arrange witnesses
Witnesses allowed to testify in a hearing can help or harm the case. Therefore, your disability attorney will be responsible to decide which testimonies are necessary to win the case and whether at all to have any witnesses take stand in the case. Caregivers and former employers make potential witnesses.
