Being unable to work because of a disabling condition can place an enormous strain on you physically, financially, and emotionally. By applying for benefits under the Social Security disability system, you may be able to gain access to medical care and a monthly check to help you sustain yourself during the time you are unable to work. Generally, the process involves submitting paperwork, medical evaluations, and possibly attending a hearing where you—along with any legal representation—and the judge will discuss your condition and its impact on your ability to work.
Expert witnesses at a Las Vegas Social Security disability hearing provide insights into how your disability affects your daily life and functioning, either from a medical or vocational standpoint. The seasoned SSDI hearings attorneys at Shook & Stone have years of experience fighting for those whose physical or mental condition keeps them from earning enough income to support themselves. We are here to help you determine when you qualify for benefits and guide you through the process of accessing them.
Understanding the Social Security Disability Application, Hearing, and Appeals Process
When you apply for benefits, you submit a host of documents to the government about your work history, medical condition, and ability to perform work-related tasks. Within the application, the goal is to persuade the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your condition meets the definition of disability under the SSA guidelines. In other words, when you are applying, you can either show that your condition is one of the diagnoses on the SSA’s list or that it is equivalent to one based on Code of Federal Regulations § 404.1526.
After you submit all the required paperwork, the SSA will review it and make an initial decision based on the information provided about whether they believe you qualify for benefits. If they deny the application, you have the option to appeal, which prompts them to take a second look. If the SSA rejects your request for Social Security disability payments again, you can then ask for a formal hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
At this hearing, you and your Las Vegas Social Security disability attorney will talk to the ALJ in depth about your situation, potentially referring to testimonies from expert witnesses in support of your request. While the ideal outcome would be for the SSA to grant your initial application, the hearings process is a chance for the ALJ to take a closer look at your request and meet with you personally. Because so much depends on the success of this hearing, being thoroughly prepared with a knowledgeable Shook & Stone legal counselor at your side provides incredible advantages.
What Is the Role of Expert Witnesses at a Social Security Disability Hearing?
In the context of a disability hearing, expert witnesses, such as doctors and psychologists, meticulously review the evidence submitted in your application and testify about their professional opinion of your condition. For example, a psychologist may review the notes and findings provided by your primary doctor and treating therapist to explain their impression of how your mental disorder interferes with your ability to function. Likewise, a medical provider may look at evidence regarding a physical condition to provide their insights.
During the hearing, you may be able to call your own witnesses—some of whom may be practicing doctors or psychiatrists—but the SSA may not formally classify them as expert witnesses. That said, professionals you ask to testify may be able to tell the ALJ their opinion of your condition based on their background in that field of study, such as medicine. The ALJ may use the materials submitted along with the application as well as the testimony gathered at the hearing to make the final decision.
Because expert witnesses play such a significant role in the Social Security disability hearing, you may benefit from working with a well-practiced Las Vegas lawyer. A legal professional from Shook & Stone could help prepare you for this stage of the process by emphasizing key points in your medical records during the hearing and speaking with potential professionals who could support your claim before the ALJ.
Call a Las Vegas Social Security Disability Attorney for Help Understanding the Role of Expert Witnesses at a Hearing
When you have a disabling condition that prevents you from working, securing SSDI benefits could help you pay your bills, buy food, and get much-needed medical care. If the Social Security Administration rejects your initial request, you may be able to appeal or—if that also results in a denial—demand a hearing.
Preparing for this stage involves understanding the role of expert witnesses at a Las Vegas Social Security disability hearing—something our attorneys could help with. Contact the Shook & Stone team today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated lawyers.
