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Disability Benefits Denied? Appeals Work!

If you have recently suffered the frustration of having your disability benefits denied, you might want to consider disability appeals. Generally speaking, disability appeals are a good way to get insurance companies to reconsider their position on your case without having to actually spend the time and money required to challenge them in a court of law.

While you might have filed the initial disability claim with your insurance company by yourself, it is absolutely essential to hire a good lawyer if you decide to go ahead with disability appeals. In fact, having no lawyer or an incompetent one is one of the major reasons that insurance appeals fail. Thus, in the next few paragraphs, you will learn about some key traits which a lawyer should possess, as well what things you should be wary of.

Hiring an Attorney for Disability Appeals

Hiring an attorney for disability appeals can be a very stressful process. Fortunately, however, this tends to go more smoothly when the client knows what he or she is looking for and what kinds of services to expect. The first thing to remember is that disability law is a specialty in the legal field, just as child custody or malpractice is a specialty. Because of the unique category into which disability appeals fall, hiring a general attorney may simply not be enough. Additionally, a good disability attorney will make you feel comfortable, be upfront and honest about your chances of winning, and will be happy to show you his past record of cases and their outcomes. Be wary of those who offer magical results, demand payment before the outcome of your case is known, or refuse to speak of their past legal history.

When looking for an attorney, speak to friends or relatives who have been in similar situations, check the yellow pages of the local phone book, and do an online search. Frequently, firms will offer free, no-obligation consultations to anyone considering their services. Remember, these consultations come with no strings attached. You do not have to feel pressured into going with the first lawyer you visit!

Finally, consider the financial consequences of filing an appeal. Usually, the cost, effort and time required by the appeals process is substantially less than the potential benefits. However, if the disability is only short-term or if your expected benefits are minimal, the appeal process might actually not be a financially intelligent decision.

Whether you decide to file an appeal or accept the denial of benefits, remember that education is your best ally during this stressful period. Research on both your particular disability and/or disability benefits could prove very useful to both you and your family in the long run. There is a ton of information out there if you will only search for it. Good luck!

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