Three Important Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Lawyer to Represent You In Your Social Security Case
Before you hire a law firm or non-attorney advocate to represent you in your Disability/SSI Claim, you should three important questions:
1. Will I be represented by an attorney at my hearing?
The Social Security Administration changed their regulations so that people can be represented by a non-attorney (lawyer). If you are told that you will be represented by an "advocate" at your hearing, keep in mind that that the term "advocate" does not necessarily mean that you will be represented by an attorney; although you may well be charged the same amount that you would pay to a lawyer. Our firm has received telephone calls from people who were represented at the hearing by an "advocate" or a paralegal and did not learn that this person was not an attorney until the Judge informed them. At that point they were given the option as to whether or not they wanted to proceed with the hearing. After waiting a year or more for hearing. it became a very difficult decision. You should know up front whether or not you will be
represented by an attorney/lawyer at the hearing.
2. Do I have to pay costs even if I lose my case?
Some law firms/advocate groups are requiring either an up front payment for costs in representing you to reimburse such things as parking. gas money or the cost of copies of medical records. At Kunkel & Fink, LLP, we do not require you to provide any up front costs and, if you lose your claim, you will not be required to pay anything to our firm. including any costs that we incurred to obtain your medical records
3. Does the attorney or non-attorney advocate that will represent me at my hearing have experience practicing before the Judges sitting in western Pennsylvania?
There are many nationwide law firms that do not have offices in Pennsylvania that are sending in a "representative" from another state to appear at your bearing. Our firm has received several complaints from individuals who did not realize that their attorney/lawyer did not even have an office in Pennsylvania and were not necessarily experienced practicing before the social security Judges hearing cases in western Pennsylvania. Before you sign a fee agreement or an Appointment of Representative form with any lawyer or non-lawyer advocate, it is crucial that you understand exactly who will be representing you at your hearing and whether the lawyer or advocate maintains an office in Pennsylvania so you do not have any surprises on the day of your hearing.
Kunkel & Fink, LLP has been representing Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Claimants for over 20 years. You will be represented by either Attorney Fink or Attorney Kunkel, both of whom have had years of experience practicing before the Judges that hear social security disability cases in western Pennsylvania.. As always, feel free to call our office at 800-467-5272 or e-mail us at info@kunkelfink.com if you have any questions regarding your application for social security disability benefits.
