Are you looking for an experienced disability attorney in your area?
Working with the right lawyer makes the difference between a smooth case and a nightmare.
Hiring a local lawyer is the first step toward making a good choice.
In this article, a seasoned Indianapolis disability attorney will share the key steps to take to find the right legal assistance in your area. You’ll also learn 5 questions to ask an attorney before hiring them.
The Importance of Working with A Local Disability Attorney
There are some excellent law professionals out there; why should you focus on attorneys near your area?
Working with a disability lawyer from your location (or nearby area) has some advantages that can significantly enhance your case:
These advantages make local Social Security attorneys a superior choice for advocating your disability claim.
How To Find A Good Lawyer Near You
You’ve decided to work with a local disability attorney. Now, how do you find the right one?
Finding a good lawyer or law firm is crucial to ensure a successful disability case.
Here are the steps you can take to find a professional, local disability attorney:
Word of Mouth
When searching for an experienced disability attorney, word of mouth can be extremely beneficial.
Ask friends, family members, or colleagues if they have contact with a trustworthy disability law firm.
You will get direct recommendations from people who have already worked with that lawyer and can share details about their practice and how they handle a case.
Local Directory
Another traditional way to find attorneys in your area is to search the local directory.
There, you will find a list of all your city’s and nearby attorneys and law firms.
Remember to aim for lawyers with vast experience in Social Security and disability law.
Your State's Bar Association
Most state bar associations have an official directory for searching all attorneys licensed to practice in your state.
You can also organize the directory results by your area of legal practice, such as "Disability Law," "Social Security Law," or "Elder Law," based on your state's classification of SSDI advocates.
Reviews and Testimonies
When searching for attorneys online, you might encounter reviews from past clients, particularly for larger firms.
These testimonials can serve as a useful resource.
A wise strategy is to identify overarching trends in reviews.
For instance, if both positive and negative feedback highlight that the attorney quickly responds to client inquiries, it indicates you likely won't need to pursue them to obtain updates about your claim.
5 Questions To Ask A Lawyer Before Hiring Them
Once you have reduced your options to 2-3 lawyers or have one in mind, you can proceed to contact them.
Most disability attorneys offer a free initial consultation. We advise you to use that free consultation to ask questions and clear up any doubts you may have.
Here are the questions you should ask a lawyer before deciding to hire their legal services:
What Is Your Experience with Social Security Disability Cases?
You can skip this question if you are interviewing a disability attorney or law firm—which we highly recommend.
Social Security disability law is an intricate universe with vast, ever-changing rules and regulations.
A general practitioner might be a fit in another scenario but not this one.
You want to work with a legal professional with experience handling disability cases.
Ask the lawyer about their experience handling disability cases, including filing claims, gathering evidence, and representing claims in court (in case you must appeal).
Have You Handled Cases Like Mine Before?
Another excellent question to ask is whether they have handled cases like yours before.
In other words, ask: Have you had clients with my disability before?
While a deep knowledge and experience in disability law is enough to make the candidate a good option, if the lawyer has already worked on a case for your disability, that’s a significant plus.
Inquire about how they built that case, the challenges the claimant faced, how they helped the claimant overcome them, and whether the claim succeeded.
How Do You Charge for Your Services?
Most disability attorneys work on contingency, meaning they will only change when and if they win your case.
Ask them whether they work on a contingency and what their fees are for their legal services.
What Type of Ongoing Communication Can I Expect?
Will they communicate with you on a weekly or monthly basis?
How will they keep you in the loop about updates on your case?
Do You Handle Appeals Council Cases?
About 70% of disability claims are rejected at the initial instance every year.
Since initial rejection is quite common, most claimants decide to appeal.
Many claims are won after appealing, but that means you must present your case before a judge.
If you reach that instance, you’ll definitely want an experienced lawyer by your side. Ensure the attorney you hire is prepared and willing to handle appeals.
Enhance Your Chances of Winning Disability with a Local Lawyer
Are you filing for Social Security disability benefits?
Working with a local attorney knowledgeable in feral law can significantly increase your chances of securing disability benefits.
Finding the right attorney might require some effort from your side, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Use this article as a guide to find a professional attorney and win the benefits you deserve.
