Working Relationship with Your Lawyer
When filing for SSDI, many people seek the help of an attorney who specializes in disability law. This can significantly increase your chances of winning your claim or appeal. Do not automatically assume that you cannot afford a lawyer. Many attorneys will negotiate affordable fees with their clients. There are also several things that you can do to keep your relationship with your lawyer positive and effective, including:
1. Keep your lawyer informed and give them all the information they request regarding your case; this will usually include financial and medical information, so be prepared to share personal information; if you aren’t sure if something is relevant, ask them and assume that they will determine what is useful and what can be disregarded
2. Carefully prepare timelines, summaries, and accurate materials; it is not your lawyer’s job to fix your mistakes
3. Know what the deadlines are for your case and have the information to your attorney in a timely manner; give them as much notice as possible if something needs to be rescheduled
4. Keep your questions short and to the point; lawyers are generally very busy and do not have time to sift through irrelevant details
5. Honor the payment plan and make sure you pay your lawyer fees on time.