Anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia knows what a difficult and debilitating condition it can be to live with. While it can be managed with proper diet, medication, self care and therapy it can be an extremely challenging condition which impacts negatively on your ability to hold down a job, parent effectively or simply to get through some of the tougher days. Moreover, when making a social security claim it can be extremely difficult to prove and quantify the debilitating effects of the condition to get you the support that you need. Of course, fibromyalgia is far from the only condition thus afflicted. Many with psychiatric disorders which impinge on their ability to live, work and function know just how unforgiving making a disability insurance claim can be. Many who suffer have had claims denied or even been actively discouraged to submit a claim by people who doubt the extend or legitimacy of these conditions.
In cases like these a disability attorney can be invaluable. They can help with making a claim, appealing a rejected claim or dealing with an employer who is failing to live up to their obligations under the ADA. But with so many to choose from it can be extremely difficult to pick the right one. Here are some of the things you should look for to know that you’ve found the right legal counsel…
What To Look For In A Disability Lawyer
Prior experience
Does your attorney have experience dealing with your particular disability before? Different conditions each have their own challenges and prerequisites for legal counsel and it helps to know that your attorney is familiar with yours.
Success rates
How successful has your attorney been in handling claims similar to yours? What kind of reputation does she or he have within the legal community? How many times have they successfully handled cases just like yours? Overall success rates and success rates in dealing with your disability may be disparate.
Fees
If you’re claiming for back dated disability benefit an attorney will be unlikely to expect any money up front. You should not be expected to pay until your claim is settled. Their fee will likely be limited to up to 25% of past due awards claimed. If an attorney is trying to convince you that they’re worth more than that they should be avoided.Availability
Living with a condition like yours can be extremely frustrating and a real source of loneliness and isolation. If left without contact for long enough it’s easy for your mind to catastrophes and jump to worst case scenarios. A good attorney will make plenty of time to talk to you, give you advice, explain difficult legal concepts, answer any questions you may have and give you the reassurance that you need.
Transparency
Finally, transparency is an important quality in any professional but especially an attorney. They should never be vague or elusive in answering your questions. They should be open and candid about their past successes and failures and be able to tell you how both have strengthened their practice.
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