If you’re looking for a disability attorney in Atlanta, you’re likely in the process of filing a benefits claim, awaiting the outcome of a claim, or appealing an unfavorable outcome.
Regardless of where you are in this process, a qualified attorney can have a substantial impact throughout your case.
Affleck & Gordon has practiced disability law in Atlanta for nearly four decades. In that time, we’ve helped tens of thousands of clients and recovered millions in benefits for our clients. Some of the main categories of disability claims we’ve handled include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans’ Disability
- Workers’ Compensation
- Personal Injury Claims (resulting due to someone else’s negligence—car accidents, medical malpractice, etc.)
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Depending on the nature of your case, you may be contemplating whether to consult an attorney. Here are some of the general benefits the right attorney can provide, regardless of what type of disability claim you’re filing:
- They can help you gather crucial medical evidence and other documentation to meet eligibility requirements.
- Communication with a disability law expert is a lifeline in the sometimes long and often frustrating process of seeking benefits. You’ll always know what to expect – and that your attorney is doing everything they can to help maximize your chances of winning the benefits you deserve.
- Your claim may be denied, and you may need to appeal. Attorneys can help you prepare for hearings, as well as present evidence and otherwise advocate on your behalf during the appeal process.
Social Security Attorneys in Atlanta
A Social Security attorney will be able to help with your SSDI or SSI claim. While these are separate programs with separate qualifications and guidelines, both are disability benefits programs overseen by the Social Security Administration, or SSA.
You pay into SSDI by working. This means you acquire work credits over time and pay into Social Security taxes, which are matched by your employer. This is an earned benefit.
SSI is a means-tested government program that pays monthly benefits to disabled adults and children or elderly people whose incomes and assets are limited or non-existent.
The SSA determines the severity of your disability the same way for both programs.
In general, the severity of your physical or mental disability must prevent you from working in the U.S. economy, as proven by medical records and doctors’ written opinions.
An attorney familiar with the SSA’s expectations will help you:
- Navigate how the unique nature of your disability impacts your claim.
- Guide you through a timeline of your claim and, in some extreme circumstances, expedite your case.
- Advocate for you during hearings before local Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), the step in a claim appeals process when you’re most likely to win benefits.
In addition to these benefits, Social Security claimants typically don’t pay an upfront attorney’s fee. Instead, attorneys are paid from a federally mandated portion of your initial backpay, provided you win your claim.
Veterans’ Disability Attorneys in Atlanta
VA Disability benefits are provided to Veterans and their families when they suffer a service-connected disability, or a secondary disability connected to a primary service disability.
As with Social Security benefits, disability must be medically proven. However, you can qualify for a disability rating without necessarily being unable to work, and the disability must be directly connected to military service.
In cases where a presumed connection can’t be easily made, service records, medical records, and doctors’ opinions are used to determine a “Nexus connection” between your service and disability.
If this connection can be proven, the VA will assign you a disability rating between 0% and 100%, and this will determine the level of benefits you receive.
Many Veterans may be initially denied benefits, or else they may not receive the level of benefits they feel they deserve.
An attorney can help Veterans:
- Maximize their chances to receive a fair disability rating.
- prove a Nexus connection and meet other examinations and requirements
- Navigate multiple disability claims.
- Appeal a benefits denial or unfavorable disability rating.
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Atlanta
Workers’ Compensation is a state benefits program for those with work-connected injuries, illnesses, or longer-term disabilities. For those living in Atlanta, cases are handled by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Workers’ Comp may offer cash benefits as well as provide necessary medical treatments.
Those seeking Workers’ Comp may feel that they don’t need to consult an attorney, particularly if their employer’s insurer pays their claim without incident.
However, there are specific circumstances for which an experienced legal representative can make a crucial difference.
You may want to consult a Workers’ Comp attorney if:
- The insurance company denied your claim.
- You aren’t receiving your weekly checks on time.
- The insurance company won’t authorize medical treatment.
- Your injury prevents you from returning to work.
- You feel you’re being mistreated by your employer or their insurer.
- Your employer fired you.
- You need guidance for structuring a claim settlement.
Note: In Georgia, your employer can fire you even if a work-related injury prevents you from returning to your normal work duties. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up. An attorney can help you navigate your state and federal disability rights and determine the best course of action for you.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Atlanta
Unlike other types of disability claims, the personal injury involves a specific party whose negligence caused you injury or harm, making them liable.
A lawyer can help when seeking a settlement for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Some common personal injury events attorneys can help litigate include:
- vehicular accidents
- medical or nursing home malpractice
- injuries caused by someone’s pet
- product or premises liability
- “slip and fall” or “trip and fall” accidents
An attorney will help you prove your claim with medical evidence. They can also help maximize your settlement with the insurance claims adjuster and their lawyers.
If your disability benefits claim has been denied, or you’re thinking about filing and don’t know where to start, Affleck & Gordon can help. We’ve been helping people in Georgia just like you for nearly 45 years. Sign up for a free case evaluation here, or call us (404) 990-3945.