CHOOSING AN ADVOCATE

You are likely to be working with your disability advocate or attorney for a long time.  Choose with care.  Some questions to consider:

• Are you comfortable talking to your advocate?  Does he or she seem to have a personal interest in your problem?

• Has he worked on cases similar to yours in the past?

• Is the office in a safe, convenient location?  (Although, with Social Security claims, you may only have to visit the office once or twice).

• What is the fee arrangement?  A contingency fee allows the advocate to collect a fee only if your case is successful.

• Be aware that the lawyer who advertises on TV will NOT the be lawyer who shows up for your hearing.  TV lawyers hire professional spokesmen who often look like movie stars and are chosen to gain your confidence.  The person who shows up at your hearing will not be one of these guys!  The TV law firm may be in California.  They will contract with a local (Huntsville) advocate to attend your hearing.  Why let them chooseyour advocate?  Choose one yourself!  You have a right to choose your advocate.  Don't let an out-of-state firm do it for you!