Massachusetts Social Security Disability Lawyer Helps Clients Seek Disability Benefits
Dedicated Braintree attorney assists in the claims process and with appeals
If you’re suffering from an illness, injury or other medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance compensation. However, obtaining these benefits can be quite difficult. SSDI claims are denied at an alarmingly high rate: almost 70-percent. Help from a skilled attorney can give you a fighting chance. Since 1984, the Law Office of Lindsay Preston Rand in Braintree has provided personalized advice and guidance for Massachusetts workers seeking the financial assistance they need to deal with the harsh effects of disability.
Seasoned attorney assists in preparing SSDI claims
SSDI benefits are payable to workers that have a disability expected to last a year or more that prevents them from working. To qualify, you must meet certain earning requirements throughout your lifetime, and your SSDI benefits, if granted, will be based on your history of earnings. I can guide you through the application process and assist you in compiling important documents — such as employment records — and medical proof of your health condition. I will also interact with government examiners reviewing your claim, providing additional documentation and information that may be requested.
Knowledgeable lawyer assists with the appeals process
Even when people have demonstrated disabilities, SSDI claims can be denied. Common reasons are incomplete documentation, failure to cooperate with SSA examiners, inadequate proof of long-term disability, failure to undergo prescribed therapy or treatments, fraud in the application or a finding that a disability is only partial and still allows substantial gainful activity. Even if benefits are awarded, they may be lower than the amount you deserve.
If your claim is denied or shortchanged, you have remedies available. I have represented individuals across Massachusetts in seeking relief from negative decisions, using these forums:
- Reconsideration — This is a fresh review of your claim by a different examiner and different medical consultants than were involved in the original case. It allows you to completely redocument and reargue your case without any prejudice from the original denial.
- ALJ hearing — If your appeal is rejected again, you have 60 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), who reviews the decision below and also can evaluate new evidence and testimony. ALJs grant benefits in a substantial percentage of cases that they hear.
- Appeals Council — Upon a rejection from the ALJ, there is a right to a review by the SSA’s Appeals Council. However, this is limited to determining if the ALJ committed errors. The success rate for claimants is low, but the review is necessary to take the next step on appeal.
- Federal court — The final recourse is to sue in federal court, claiming you were denied SSDI benefits in violation of law. Federal judges often will find that particular evidence was given improper weight and will remand the case to the SSA for reconsideration.
Regardless of whether or not I handled your original SSDI claim, I am available to represent you in all stages of the appeals process.
Contact a Massachusetts disability lawyer for a free consultation
At the Law Office of Lindsay Preston Rand in Braintree, I help clients file for Social Security Disability benefits. For a free consultation, call 781-664-9385 or contact me online.
