Why Do I Need A Social Security Disability Lawyer?

May 30, 2013 | By O'Connor Acciani & Levy
Why Do I Need A Social Security Disability Lawyer?

The Social Security Administration, or SSA, is an organization responsible for administering Social Security benefits in the United States. The SSA routinely denies disability payments to applicants the SSA does not think qualify. If you have been denied Social Security, you may request a hearing to reconsider your disability eligibility. Hiring a Cincinnati Social Security Disability Attorney to represent you for this hearing greatly increases your chances of receiving disability payments. To learn more about how we can help you, call O'Connor, Acciani & Levy today at (877) 288-3241 and ask to speak with our SSD legal professionals for your FREE consultation.

Why Does The Social Security Administration Deny Benefits?

The SSA denies payments to applicants for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are:
  • The applicant has too much income or other assets
  • The disability is not severe enough
  • The applicant has not been in contact with the Social Security office
Many applicants are also turned down because they do not understand the complicated application process. A 2010 report from the Social Security Inspector General found that 78% of applicants have a hard time reading, understanding or properly completing forms.

Can We Help Your Chances Of Receiving Benefits?

This same report by the inspector general also found that 90% of claimants who were granted benefits had a Social Security attorney to represent them. The report goes on to point out the apparent connection between being granted benefits and obtaining the help of an attorney. There are several reasons that hiring an attorney can increase the chances that you will be granted benefits:
  • A skilled Social Security Disability attorney can help you develop your medical evidence. Sometimes medical evidence is insufficient for the SSA to grant a claim. An attorney can assist you in gathering additional medical evidence to support your disability claim. This can include obtaining a physician's opinion of your condition and any other relevant documentation.
  • Social Security Disability attorneys are experienced in Social Security cases and may notice if you have additional problems that you may not have included in your application. Many applicants fail to report every disability, and an attorney can make sure that all relevant impairments are considered to help ensure a higher chance of your disability being granted.
  • An experienced attorney can guide applicants through the entire application process, including appealing any denied claims. This can include coaching clients on how to answer questions asked by an administrative law judge and asking a vocational expert (hired by the SSA for the hearing) critical questions during cross-examination.
Social Security defines disability in a unique way, and the decision-making process is long and complicated. Social Security Disability attorneys deal with the application and lengthy appeals processes daily. They know what is necessary for a successful outcome. A lawyer familiar with the Social Security process can protect you from making certain common errors that harm your chances of approval. Furthermore, an experienced attorney can make sure that all relevant information is considered to ensure a higher chance of your disability being granted.

How Do Disability Lawyers Collect Fees?

Many people hesitate to hire an attorney to handle their disability case because they are worried about paying attorney fees. The Ohio and Northern Kentucky disability attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy work under a contingency agreement. That means that if you decide to hire us to handle your disability claim, then we don't collect our fee unless you are granted benefits. If you have been turned down for disability benefits from Social Security, then call the Social Security Disability attorneys of O'Connor, Acciani & Levy. By seeking the assistance of our experienced attorneys, you will significantly increase your chances of receiving Social Security. Call us toll free at (877) 288-3241 or click "here" to reach us online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.