The Forsythe Firm is one of the few Alabama legal assistance firms totally dedicated to nothing but Social Security disability. They win difficult cases that otherwise might leave the claimants without disability checks and without health insurance.
"When someone loses the ability to work, they will likely also lose health insurance and the ability to get continuing medical treatment," says Charles Forsythe, a partner of the Forsythe Firm. "Add to this the loss of wages or income, and you have a serious emergency," he says.
People may not even think about how they will survive financially when they are forced to stop working, Forsythe adds. They just assume that Social Security will be there for them. But it isn't that simple. Obstacles stand between the average claimant and Social Security disability benefits. They include:
LONG DELAYS. It usually takes about 4 months for Social Security to make a medical decision on a disability claim. In other words, you wait about 4 months before they decide whether or not you meet the medical definition of "disability."
WRONGFUL DENIALS. In Alabama, about two-thirds of all disability claims are denied. If an individual confined to bed, in a nursing home or has a terminal disease, the claim may get approved. Also, if the claimant is close to retirement age, the claim could be approved quickly. Most other individuals will be denied. They must quickly file and appeal in hopes of getting approved by an administrative law judge, which often happens.
BACKLOGS AND MORE WAITING. If a hearing is necessary due to a denial, it can take 18 months or longer to get before a special judge, called an administrative law judge or ALJ. This long wait is because there are over one million persons now waiting in line for a hearing. With only about 1,200 administrative law judges, the wait is terrible. But it's the only way once benefits have been denied.
LEGAL PROCEDURES AND RED TAPE. Because the legal proceedings are complex and confusing, most claimants hire an attorney or legal representative to assist them. Studies indicate that claimants with representation win their benefits more often than claimants who go it alone. The Forsythe Firm represents claimants before administrative law judges in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Their win ratio is excellent and there is never a cost to the claimant unless the case is won and back benefits are paid.
Individuals in Athens, Decatur, Madison, Huntsville, Ardmore or nearby locations should contact the firm for a free consultation:
PHONE:
ATHENS AREA (256) 431-1599
OTHER LOCATIONS IN ALABAMA OR MIDDLE TENNESSEE CALL (256) 799-0297.
CONTACT US ON THE WEB & TELL US ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY
No Fee for Our Services Until You Are Approved and Granted Back Pay
The road to disability benefits runs through your doctor's office. If you have lost your health insurance and can't afford to see the doctor, it impacts your health and your chances of getting disability checks. Contact the Forsythe Firm in Huntsville. We may be able to direct you to a low cost or free clinic where you can see a doctor.
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