ParksDoherty, PLLC - The Social Security Law Firm

If you decide to appeal your disability claim and retain our firm to help, we will bring 3 important qualities to the fight:

Experience. Our primary practice area is Social Security disability law and we have been helping disability clients win disability cases for years.

Knowledge. Because we practice primarily in the area of Social Security disability law we have developed the knowledge necessary to practice in this highly specialized area of law.

Compassion. We have learned that winning provides my Social Security disability clients more than money. It can also bring independence, validation, and peace of mind. We understand what is at stake, so you will have a devoted disability attorney on your side if I accept your case.

Most denials of claims for disability benefits can be reversed if knowledgeable Social Security lawyers are retained to handle the appeals. But patience and perseverance are required. As you will see from the award rates below, most disability claimants give up too soon.

1. Application level. Initial applicants for Social Security disability will wait on average 120 days to receive an answer, and for 35% it will be yes. Out of those rejected at this initial level, 52% will abandon their claims and 48% will appeal.

2. Reconsideration level. Claimants who timely filed their appeals within 60 days of receipt will
wait 90 days for a decision. Only 15% will receive good news. Out of those who don’t, 30% will
give up and 70% will appeal.

3. Hearing level. This is where patience and good representation pay off. National claimants will
wait 15.5 months for a hearing and decision (Wisconsin claimants will wait 18 months), but 55%
will be awarded benefits. Of the remainder, 55% will quit and 45% will appeal.

4. Appeals Council. Another 220 days are required. Only 2% of claimants will be rewarded with benefits; about 23% of claimants will have their claims sent back for another hearing. Most of the rest will give up. Only a few appeal to federal court.

5. Federal court. Claimants wait another 540 days for a federal court decision. About half of them will have their claims sent back for another hearing before an administrative law judge. Only a small percentage are awarded benefits by the federal court.

The lesson from these national averages is to pursue your Social Security disability claim through the first three levels — application, reconsideration, and hearing. Most of those who don’t give up before the Social Security disability hearing will be awarded benefits.