The Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek helps people apply for and receive Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. We understand selecting a lawyer to help you through this process is an important task. Are you wondering how you select a lawyer to represent you? Do you know what to look for in an attorney? Is a bigger law firm better? Should you trust TV and radio ads from big Social Security disability law firm which seem to be on 24/7?
I am a sole practitioner experienced in Social Security Disability law who has only practiced in this area of law for over 25 years. I receive many questions from new clients. I welcome these questions. I want you to feel comfortable asking them, and I invite you to contact our firm at any time to arrange a free consultation. I believe your attorney should have extensive knowledge about Social Security disability law, be comfortable handling your disability claim at any level and be aggressive at every stage of the process.
We have all heard and seen multiple TV, radio and internet ads from law firms who claim they are the biggest and therefore the best. Is this true? Judge for yourself. Before you engage any attorney or law firm to represent you, what questions should you ask? Here’s a good list to ask any attorney:
- How long have you been practicing law and are you even a lawyer? Fact: Most large law firms use low level associates to handle Social Security disability cases. Moreover, some large law firms will use paralegals to represent you.
- Many big disability law firms get their cases from long term disability (LTD) companies and tell you that their services are “free.” Fact: The insurance company is paying the law firm. Who does that law firm represent? You or the insurance company that is paying them?
- Do you handle cases other than Social Security Disability? Fact: Most law firms handle a variety of cases. Who do you want to represent you, a jack of all trades or a lawyer who only focuses on Social Security disability cases?
- Do you handle federal court appeals? How many federal court appeals have you personally litigated? Fact: Many law firms will not pursue your claim in federal court.
- Many law firms advertize that there is no fee unless you win in their Social Security disability ads. Fact: ALL attorneys’ fees in Social Security disability cases are regulated by the Social Security Administration which requires that a lawyer only be paid if the disability claim is successful.
- How will you prepare me for my hearing? Fact: many law firms will have you deal exclusively with a case worker, paralegal, or secretary- not an attorney.
- Who will work on my case and conduct my disability hearing? Fact: When you deal with a big law firm, you are unlikely to speak with the lawyer that will represent you and will be dealing with a case worker. Moreover, the first time that you meet your lawyer may well be the day of your disability hearing. Good luck getting an attorney on the phone in a big law firm or having one call you back.
Ask our lawyer David R. Machek these questions, and you will feel confident choosing our law firm to represent you in your Social Security disability case. You will feel confident with the Social Security information and answers we provide Contact us online or by phone at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320 to arrange your free consultation today.