Navigating the waters of the Social Security Administration’s requirements can be a challenge that requires help to accomplish. If you plan to apply for SSDI or SSI, you’ll need professional and experienced legal help, so it’s important to find the right attorney. You need a lawyer you can trust and who specializes in social security law. Learn these important keys to finding the right social security lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, and where you can go for help with your application or appeal.
Beware of Promises
The best social security lawyers won’t deliver promises or guarantees that you’ll get approved or get a certain amount of dollars for your injuries. A good attorney will discuss the strengths of your case with you and will point out any issues you might have. They will give their opinion on your chances but will never make a promise. What they will do is talk straight to you at all times and always be realistic about where your case is and where they see it going. Beware of those who make promises of specific dollar figures or who guarantee victory.
Free Consultation
A good attorney will be willing to sit down with you for a free consultation on your case. Even more, while you may speak to a staff member on your initial phone call, your initial face-to-face meeting will be with the actual attorney who will be handling your case. Social Security attorneys are very busy, but it’s important to find one who will take the time to work directly with you. You want an attorney who will make you a priority and who will always be willing to give you the personal time you need.
Research Online
Do some research on the attorney you’re considering. You want to know what their approval rate is and how often they win full benefits as opposed to partial or refusals. Research their credentials, experience and qualifications. Check into their case history as far as you can. Many attorneys will list such qualifications right on their own website. You can also search them through your local bar association.
Seek Recommendations
If you have a general attorney, they might be able to recommend a Social Security lawyer to you. If you know people who have gone through the process, they might be able to offer recommendations. Word of mouth can be a great way to find a reliable lawyer. Failing this, simply look up the attorneys you are considering online and see what their ratings and reviews are. You can also check with your local bar association for information.
Ask Questions
While some of your research can be done online, some will need to come from direct questions in your consultation. Find out who will be handling your case, if there’s a central point of contact who will be dedicated to communications with you, and what their communication policies are.
Some firms assign paralegals to represent clients; but if you can find one that offers an actual attorney to represent you, you will likely be better off. An attorney will be more well-versed in the ins and outs of Social Security law and will be better poised to represent you.
Finally, at your initial consultation, ask about your attorney’s case history, their track record of winning and exactly how they will handle your case. A good attorney will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Educate Yourself
Finally, educate yourself on the basics of Social Security law. Read as much as you can find from the Social Security website and be as familiar as you can. That way, when you speak with your attorney, you’ll be armed with the specific questions you need to have answered. A bit of knowledge can go a very long way in choosing the right attorney.
Social Security Lawyer Atlanta
If you’re in the Atlanta area and you need help with a social security case, Joel Thrift Law LLC can help. For over a decade, Joel Thrift has represented hundreds of clients and recovered millions in settlements. He values communication and always makes an effort to return calls promptly. If you’re looking for a Social Security lawyer in Atlanta that you can trust, call Joel Thrift Law LLC today.