Preparing for a Social Security
Disability Hearing

Preparing for a social security disability hearing is something that your lawyer will put a lot of effort into and it is important that you follow their requests and instructions in all matters regarding that preparation. The reason for hiring a lawyer is to bolster the success chance your claim has, and that lawyer’s preparation is going to be a large part of that chance. Different lawyers, of course, may have different procedures. And though each may have different methods of preparing, as long as you have a lawyer with a good track record that you trust, you should just accept that they know what they are doing.

In preparing for a social disability hearing, one of the first steps that a lawyer may take is obtaining all records pertaining to the original application or appeal (if there was one). This information will give the lawyer the facts they need about why the original application or appeal was denied. In the end, this is going to assist them in finding out and planning what information is going to be needed at the hearing in order to give your claim its highest chance for success.

Gathering Medical Records

When preparing for a social security hearing, one of the most essential steps your lawyer and your doctor will take is the preparation and presentation of additional medical records. There can be an enormous gap, often more than a year, between the scheduling of a hearing and the actual hearing taking place. This time frame will allow for continuous documentation of your condition and how it has affected your ability to work. Many disability claims are denied due to the fact that there is not sufficient medical evidence to prove that the claimant will actually be disabled and unable to perform any activity capable of earning money for more than twelve months. However, due to the time lapse in obtaining your hearing, if you have gone more than a year unable to work and your condition has not improved, documentation from a doctor to that affect is going to raise your chances of a successful claim exponentially. This is one of the biggest factors in having original rejections overturned. Also, it is important to have a recent medical statement from just a month or two before the trial when preparing for a social security hearing.

Interpreting Your Medical Records

This extra documentation and work to obtain it is well worth it when preparing for a social security hearing. The majority of cases that proceed to the hearing stage but present no additional documentation or evidence, are rejected again and it usually happens very fast. On the other hand, claimants who present a significantly increased evidence load supporting their claim and those that have proof that their injury or illness has lasted a long time, with little or no improvement, will have a much greater chance during the hearing than they did during the original application process. Also, your lawyer will know how to present your case in the best possible light before the judge, which will also assist you in your claim.

Let Us Help

Do not be discouraged if your claim has been denied. Choose a law firm that handles Social Security Disability appeals. Call or email the Ogletree Abbott Law Firm. We are Social Security Disability lawyers who represent working men and women who have been wrongfully denied benefits. We want for you to have a fair hearing with competent legal representation. Call us today at 1-(800)- 779-4950. Or, if you prefer, email us at Info@Ogletreeabbott.com and we will contact you right away. Let us help you today.