My sister has had 2 back surgeries. This one has been very rough on her to recover from. Her doctor said she would not be able to return to work. She has been turned down twice for her disability. After the 3rd time, the soc. sec. worker told her she would have to go to an informal hearing. My question is: after the informal hearing can she then get an attorney or does she needs to enlist one now? With the 2nd denial, the doctor who did her surgery has still not been contacted to be put in her file. She has turned everything in to the soc. sec. office. We didn't want to get an attorney if it wasn't necessary. I am hoping some of you people can give me some information on how this works. Attorney now or after the informal hearing?
2006-09-05 12:35:21 · 5 answers · asked by sissy needs me 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Hire a lawyer that specializes in SSI. Most of them will not charge unless they win the case. But be careful some of them want a percentage of your back payment, some as much as 33%. Shop around, ask friends and family. Find someone you feel comfortable with and someone you trust. And be patient. My husband has had 5 surgeries, and it took us 7 years to finally get his SSI. Keep a note book and each time you talk to someone at SS, write it down, and their name. It can help if you talk to the same person each time. Also get a copy of her medical files, and have them ready when needed. All you have to do is get a release of information at the hospital she had surgery, it may cost to have the chart copied but it will help the attorney to have all the information before the trial.
2006-09-05 16:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by PSL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok~you really are better off with a lawyer by your side, they really make a big difference and you can get one who works on a contingency; who won't get any money until you get paid.
you really don't know the amount of paperwork that has to be submitted, they may just seem like a real expensive arm decoration, but i think it makes all the difference in the world
the third time is usually the charm, the thing about social security, is they kind of count on you getting bored or impatient and not following through with your case~so that is why they deny you a couple of times and usually they grant your disability on your third try.
i don't know anyone who has ever been accepted before their third time, nor do i know anyone who went through the whole process and was denied at their third time.
i know that when i went to my second time, they said that they never recieved any documentation from my md., but i got copies of all the stuff they needed and took it into our local office.
its all very hush hush like they don't want you to see your file, but it is YOUR file, and you have that right.
i say take the lawyer. you'll need him/her.
2006-09-06 05:52:45 · answer #2 · answered by breezy b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is definitely time to get an attorney who specializes in Social Security claims. The attorney will only be paid if she wins her case. I strongly ecommend connecting with the following group of people who have personal experience with disability and appealing SSA claims.
Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ssadisability/
2006-09-06 21:49:22 · answer #3 · answered by althegrrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attorney now, this country is going to screw her if she doesn't have a good one.
2006-09-05 19:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by niks_mom7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please have her see an attorney. they will guide her on the direction to go and also get things going a little quicker...hopefully.
2006-09-05 19:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by Heather G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋