Partnering with an experienced and caring long-term disability attorney will make it easier to secure the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you require. This is doubly true if your initial application was denied. If nothing else, you can trust much of the paperwork and back and forth with the Social Security Administration to your lawyer while you focus on your health and finances.
But how can you know if you hired the best lawyer to handle your case?
We could just tell you to seek out one of our social security disability lawyers columbus ohio. This glib, bordering-on-bragging response is inadequate for all kinds of reasons, not the least of which being that it would probably only suffice for residents of the Buckeye State.Even then, people who need help with applying for federal disability benefits might prefer to work with an attorney who practices closer to them or a lawyer who previously did a good job for one of their friends or family members.
You can find a great Social Security lawyer in Columbus or elsewhere by looking for the following four characteristics.
Demand Experience Navigating the Social Security Process
Filing applications for SSDI and SSI benefits takes a lot of work. You must track down and organize mountains of medical and financial records. You must also be prepared to appeal a denial of benefits by, unsurprisingly, producing more records.
Attorneys who have helped many other disabled and financially challenged clients secure benefits will know how to complete applications quickly without omitting essential documentation and how to succeed with appeals. An experienced lawyer will also have a host of effective tactics for fighting through and working around roadblocks that might derail a case.
Demand Responsiveness
Never forget that you become an employer when you hire a lawyer. As the boss, you have every right to expect your attorney to return phone calls and respond to emails or texts in a timely manner. Also, as the employer, you have the right to fire a lawyer who fails to meet your standards for responsiveness and service.Liking your lawyer as a person will be a plus, but you need to insist on professionalism above all else.
Insist on Complete Answers to All Your Questions
Attorneys speak legalese. They also, like most people, tend to assume everyone knows pretty much the same things they know. As the client and a nonexpert, you must ask for clear explanations and regular updates on the progress of your case. Only stick with a Social Security lawyer who lives up to the assurance that there are no stupid questions.
Never Wonder About How You Will Be Billed, or How Much You Will Pay
Do not shy away from discussing costs. In fact, consider it good form to bring this up during your initial (likely free) consultation. An ethical attorney will want to clarify up front what fees will be assessed and how payments can be made. Never trust nor hire a lawyer who deflects questions like “What will this cost me?”
Author Bio:
Gregory R. Mitchell is a lawyer and partner at Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman represents clients in medical malpractice, Social Security Disability Insurance, personal injury and workers compensation lawyer Columbus, Ohio.
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