Questions to Ask a Prospective New Orleans Disability Lawyer

Claiming Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) can be a Herculean task. You need solid medical evidence to prove that you have a disability that keeps you out of gainful work. Otherwise, your claim will fall among the 70% the Social Security Administration rejects.

However, claim rejection doesn’t have to be the case with a good disability lawyer in New Orleans on your side. Unlike you, the attorney has the experience required to accurately file a claim or appeal, greatly enhancing your chances of success.

Since the success rate depends on an attorney’s experience, Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers have prepared the essential questions that will help to narrow down to the best representative. The questions will help you get an experienced, knowledgeable attorney ready to go the extra mile in your SSDI claim application.

Are You a Licensed Lawyer?

Before becoming a disability lawyer in New Orleans, an individual must acquire three bare basics: complete an undergraduate degree in pre-law, take the law school admission test (LSAT), and pass the Louisiana bar exam.

After getting the qualifications, the Louisiana State Bar Association and Louisiana Supreme Court licenses the lawyers. Therefore, before you pick an attorney, ask them if they have a license since that is the first indication of fitness to represent you.

How Many Social Security Disability Cases Have You Successfully Resolved?

A New Orlean disability lawyer gets better as they handle more cases. Why? With experience, the attorney learns mistakes to avoid when making claims and ways to navigate the Social Security Administration’s court system.

Experienced disability lawyers are more likely to help you get the claims you deserve than those with little or no experience handling Social Security disability issues. A good lawyer should have dealt with a couple of SSDI issues successfully.

Do You Have Special Training in the Field of Disability Law?

Many reputable disability attorneys in Louisiana often specialize in a given niche. That means they take extra time to study a single issue and dedicate most of their time to helping clients in the chosen field. The specialization makes them better than generalists.

Therefore, before hiring an attorney to handle your Social Security disability insurance claim, ask them if they have specialized. The disability lawyer in New Orleans should probably be a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.

Specialized attorneys know the ins and outs of making SSDI claims, the mistakes to avoid, and the process to get your claim through on the first application. They avoid the omissions that lead to claim rejection.

Are There Case-related Expenses I Will Have to Pay?

The law caps the SSDI attorney fees to a quarter of your back pay, up to a maximum of $6000. So your New Orleans disability lawyer might have to wait until you receive your SSDI benefits before they take their cut.

However, some lawyers might ask you to pay other case-related fees for handling the case, seeking expert testimony, traveling, and retrieving medical records to reinforce your SSDI claim.

Therefore, before hiring, ask your prospective attorney to disclose all the fees they need from start to end. A qualified attorney breaks down the expenses to save you from surprise payments.

What Information Do I Need to Provide to File an SSDI Claim?

The Social Security Administration will need to know several pieces of information to decide whether to turn down or approve your request. So, in the initial contact with a social security disability lawyer New Orleans residents should ask for the information needed to process your claim.

A knowledgeable lawyer will provide all the information needed without hesitation. The information includes doctor statements, information about family, financial records, employment records, proof of identity, and more.

What Do I Need to Prove to Receive My Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security disability benefits are meant for citizens who become disabled due to an injury, disease, or condition. So, to receive benefits, you need to prove that you have a disability, and you cannot generate enough earned income to enable you to live decently.

Besides the proof of disability, the Social Security Administration might require you to prove your identity and employment status. A knowledgeable disability lawyer should explain everything you need to verify to receive benefits.

How Often Will We Meet, and Who Is My Primary Contact?

Good communication is critical when dealing with a New Orleans disability lawyer. It helps you know the progress, the challenges the lawyer is facing, and other essential details you need to know during the approval process.

For that reason, when hiring a good disability lawyer, ensure they provide a primary contact. The contact should probably be the attorney following up on your case or their assistant with first-hand information about it.

Reputable lawyers don’t mind providing a primary contact, alongside disclosing the number of times to meet. You would want to avoid lawyers who cannot provide direct contact or lack time to meet you.

What Is the Process, and How Long Does It Take to Resolve My Claim?

Different disability lawyers have varying turnaround times. Some start working on your case as soon as you hire them, and some might keep you waiting for a little longer since they have many issues to handle.

For this reason, before letting a disability lawyer handle your SSDI claim, ask about their estimated TAT and the process. A good lawyer should start working on your claim immediately to avoid unnecessary delays.

How often will we meet, and who will be my primary contact?

Good communication is critical when dealing with a New Orleans disability lawyer. It helps you know the progress, the challenges the lawyer is facing, and other essential details you need to know during the approval process.

For that reason, when hiring a good disability lawyer, ensure they provide a primary contact. The contact should probably be the attorney following up on your case or their assistant with first-hand information about it.

Reputable lawyers don’t mind providing a primary contact, alongside disclosing the number of times to meet. You would want to avoid lawyers who cannot provide direct contact or lack time to meet you.

What is the process, and how long does it take to resolve my claim?

Different disability lawyers have varying turnaround times. Some start working on your case as soon as you hire them, and some might keep you waiting for a little longer since they have many issues to handle.

For this reason, before letting a disability lawyer handle your SSDI claim, ask about their estimated TAT and the process. A good lawyer should start working on your claim immediately to avoid unnecessary delays.

Will You Handle Any Appeals, If Necessary?

While an SSDI claim filed by a lawyer often gets approval in the first stage, the Social Security Administration can sometimes reject yours. That means your social security disability lawyer in New Orleans must appeal, which is another time-consuming process.

For that reason, it matters that you learn how your disability lawyer handles appeals processes. A good lawyer will disclose the details of handling your SSDI appeal processes, saving you from unforeseen inconveniences.

Let Dudley DeBosier Handle Your SSDI Issue

All working citizens who become disabled before retirement qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The SSDI takes care of your day-to-day expenses, based on your FICA payments, since you can hardly make a living, just as you used to.

It is a right, but claiming the benefits is quite an uphill task. SSI can reject your application or take unnecessarily long to approve it (often six months). Let Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers handle your Social Security Disability Claim in New Orleans to avoid omissions or errors that lead to rejections.

Our team understands the right processes required to help you get your benefits within the shortest time possible. Contact us for a free case assessment on SSDI or any other personal injury issue.

Reviewed by Chad Lederman at the New Orleans Dudley DeBosier office.

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