Social Security Disability Attorney in Chicago

Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Cook County, Lake County, and Throughout Illinois

The Social Security Disability application process is long and arduous, and it can take several months (sometimes years) for your claim to be processed. After all that time waiting, many claimants are denied benefits. Working with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can greatly increase your chances of approval. The challenge is finding the right attorney to handle your case.

There are several important questions to ask before choosing a Social Security Disability attorney to represent you. These include:

1. Does the disability attorney represent claimants at every stage of the process?

   There are some disability lawyers that only take on easier cases and only at the beginning of the process. A skilled disability attorney will be able to handle cases regardless of the level of difficulty. Whether a claimant is just looking into Social Security disability, has just applied for benefits or has been denied multiple times, your attorney should have experience in every stage of the application process.

2. Will you be able to get in contact with the attorney or will you be stuck constantly speaking with a legal assistant or paralegal?

   In some of the larger firms, legal assistants and paralegals do most of the customer contact. The problem is they are not always able to adequately address client concerns. When you hire a Social Security disability lawyer, you have the right to expect frequent access to him/her during the entire time you work with them. If you have a hard time getting a hold of the attorney directly when you are first inquiring, this might be cause for concern about your access to him/her once you become a client.

3. Is the disability law firm local or a national firm?

   Since Social Security Disability is a federal program, there are some firms that are large and have offices in multiple states. While the requirements for SSDI and SSI approval are the same nationally, local disability examiners and administrative law judges tend to give certain factors more weight than others. Having an attorney that is familiar with the local Illinois offices and their staff can prove invaluable in the success of your application.

4. Are there hidden costs or fees?

   The Social Security Disability attorney you are considering should be upfront about any and all fees for his or her services. Ideally, your attorney should be willing to take your case on a contingency basis. This way, you only pay attorney fees if he or she wins your case.

5. Is the person a non-attorney representative or a disability lawyer?

   The SSA allows non-attorney representatives to handle the cases of claimants during the initial application, request for reconsideration, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing and Appeals Council review. Although you may choose to be represented by a non-attorney, it is not advisable. The reason is to be successful, especially at the appeals level, it is important to have strong legal skills. ALJ hearings and Appeals Council reviews involve legal processes such as presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses. Having a licensed attorney by your side during these stages is highly beneficial in securing a positive outcome in your case.

6. Does the attorney limit his or her practice to representing the disabled?

   There are some attorneys that have multiple areas of focus across a wide range of practice areas. The challenge is due the complexities of Social Security Disability cases and unique circumstances of each individual claimant, many multiple practice attorneys have difficulty handling certain disability claims. To ensure you have strong representation, it is best to stick with an attorney that practices disability law exclusively.

7. What is the reputation of the Social Security disability lawyer you are considering?

   A successful Social Security Disability attorney will have a strong track record helping numerous individuals become approved for SSDI and SSI benefits. In addition, those with a good reputation in this area of the law are usually members of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).

Choosing a Social Security Disability Attorney can be difficult. At Pearson Disability Law, LLC, we are here to answer any questions you may have about the process. Managing attorney Jonathan L. Pearson handles all cases personally and on a contingency basis. He is here to provide the help you need no matter what stage you are at in the application or appeals process. For a free consultation with attorney Pearson, contact our office today at 312-999-0999.