Filing for federal disability can be a long and confusing process. And it can often end in a denied claim. Over a recent five-year period, denied disability claims have averaged about 64 percent.
Many of these denials were from first-time requests and had to be re-filed multiple times.
For this reason, you need a good federal disability retirement lawyer you can trust. Picking a good lawyer can feel like a daunting task.
Here are the five most important things to know when choosing a federal disability retirement lawyer.
Do Your Research
You want to ‘shop around’ for your lawyer. When looking for a federal disability lawyer, make sure to check their years of experience, credentials, and success rates.
One great resource for this is reviews and client testimonials. Any firm that has a good success rate will have these on their website and possibly on social media.
You can also ask the attorney if they have former clients that would be willing to speak to you in person about their experience.
Prepare for Your Meeting
Start by doing your research early. As soon as you think you might apply for disability retirement, begin making a list of possible attorneys. One resource to start with is this disability attorney directory.
Hire a Licensed Federal Disability Retirement Lawyer
While it might be tempting to save money by working with another type of representative, a licensed attorney will have the legal knowledge and high ethical standards needed to navigate the federal disability system.
You should verify that your federal disability retirement attorney is actively licensed. You should also check to make sure they are not now or have in the past dealt with any sort of discipline.
Find a Lawyer with Experience and Passion
Not all attorneys, even licensed ones, have experience with federal disability laws. It is important when hiring a lawyer to find one that has dealt extensively with these types of cases and knows the system well.
Passion is another often overlooked criterion when choosing an attorney. You want someone who is committed to helping people and is passionate about offering legal services to help you get your disability retirement.
Graham Law Group has attorneys that specialize in federal retirement disability cases.
What Are the Fees?
Finally, be ready to have an upfront conversation about lawyer fees. These can vary greatly and you need to know your budget before going into the process.
Especially considering that the request for disability could be denied and need to be resubmitted.
Some attorneys may charge by the hour, while some may charge a flat fee. As you consider leaving the workforce, every penny counts.
A Federal Disability Lawyer Is Worth the Work
It may seem like extra work in the beginning, but it is worth the effort to hire the right federal disability retirement lawyer.
Having someone to advocate for you that has legal knowledge and knows the disability system can save you precious time and money in the long run.
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