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Stuck between continuing to fight my denial or just giving up and getting a lawyer | Ssdi Support - Hub Chatter

vals38•1mo ago

Stuck between continuing to fight my denial or just giving up and getting a lawyer

I got denied the first time back in March after waiting 8 months. My doctor wrote a letter but it was pretty short and didn't list any specific limits I have with my back problems. Now I have to decide between appealing on my own with a better letter from a specialist I saw last month, or signing on with one of those law firms that take 25% of the back pay. My neighbor says lawyers just drag things out and I could do it myself faster. But my sister used a lawyer in Cleveland and got approved in 10 months after two denials. The lawyer wants my medical records first before they even take the case. Has anyone else been in this spot and which way worked better for you?

2 comments

2 Comments

susan_ward1mo ago

Oh man, I have been there. I read somewhere that most people who go it alone end up getting denied at least once anyway, and a lawyer knows exactly what medical language to use to get them to pay attention. My wife's cousin tried doing the appeal himself with a big long letter from his chiropractor, and they still shot him down. Then he got a lawyer who basically just rewrote the same info but with the right buzzwords and boom, approved in 6 months. Just make sure you find one that only takes the 25% if you win, none of that upfront fee stuff. Your sister's lawyer sounds like they know what they're doing if they want records first, that's a good sign they actually think you have a case.

paul_morgan1mo ago

Wait, they shot him down even with a chiropractor backing him up? That's nuts. I mean, I get that they have their own weird rules about what counts, but a chiropractor should be solid proof you're messed up. That's exactly why you need a lawyer who knows the system, they just know how to dress it up so the judges actually read it. And yeah, the 25% thing is huge - anyone asking for money upfront is probably a scam or just not good at their job. Your sister's lawyer sounds like a solid pick, way better than trying to wing it and ending up like your cousin.