It is important to know that an attorney can help you out at every step of the claim process. An attorney can also take your case at any point in the process as well.
This help includes gathering all the necessary preliminary information that is needed in filing the initial application, filing a request for reconsideration if your initial application was denied, filing a request for hearing if needed and then ultimately representing you at a hearing if necessary. An attorney can also help you if you lost your case at hearing by filing an appeal with the appeal council.
The application process can be a complicated, time consuming and confusing process. An attorney has the knowledge and expertise of knowing what official documents need to be filed with the Social Security office at each step of the process, what medical or other evidence is required and what deadlines need to be met. Missing a deadline in this process may cause you to lose your case and have you miss out on your benefits.
An attorney can also help you in gathering all the medical records that will be needed to properly present your case. Particular care is taken in obtaining doctor notes, ER visits, medical tests results and doctor opinions in pursuit of winning your case.
While at a hearing, an attorney also has the experience of knowing exactly what legal and medical research is needed to properly defend your case as well as knowing exactly what questions need to be asked, what key documents or diagnostic tests need to be discussed, and what evidence certain judges look for during the court proceeding. You may also have a medical expert or vocational expert hired by Social Security to be present at your hearing who will be discussing the facts of your case as well. An attorney will also cross-examine those experts and make sure that the hired experts properly state the facts of your case.
