I Never Hear From my Disability Lawyer - Should I Get a New One?

Once you have completed your new client paperwork with your disability representative or disability lawyer, you may not hear from them again until a decision has been made on your disability claim. Of course, if your initial disability claim or reconsideration appeal is denied, your representative may contact you (typically to inquire about recent medical treatment) prior to filing your next disability appeal.

In many cases, however, if you hear from your disability lawyer or representative prior to a decision being made, it may be with regard to either an information request from Social Security, or a reminder that you need to attend a consultative exam that has been scheduled for you.

This is because Social Security disability examiners usually contact a claimant’s lawyer or representative when they are unable to reach the claimant through the normal lines of communication. Therefore, if you have a pending disability claim and you move or change your phone number, you should always notify Social Security and your disability lawyer. Disability examiners can actually deny your disability claim based upon your failure to cooperate if they are unable to obtain necessary information, schedule a consultative examination, or locate you.

If your disability claim is pending the scheduling of an administrative law judge hearing, it is likely that you will hear nothing from your disability lawyer or representative until you have a hearing date scheduled.

Many disability lawyers and non-attorney claimant's representatives do not make routine inquiries as to the status of a disability claim. But this is no reason to change your disability lawyer. If you are wondering about the status of your disability claim, call your local Social Security office or ask your representative's office to check the status of your claim.

Of course, if you have important information to give your disability lawyer, or have questions that need to be answered, or issues that need to be addressed, and you are repeatedly unable to get a response to attempts to contact your representative, you may wish to consider finding a new one.

However, if you do decide to change your representation, you need to keep in mind that you have signed a legally binding fee agreement with your current lawyer. As such your disability lawyer can demand payment for any expenses agreed upon in the fee agreement, so be mindful of what you agree to pay your representative.









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