Winning Client's Cases for Over Forty Years

Mr. Johnnie Cochran was one of the most recognized attorneys in the world when he co-founded the Cochran Firm. He has been widely hailed as a brilliant litigator and successfully settled and won dozens of large award and high profile cases. Mr. Cochran instilled his drive to succeed in the Firm. That passion and zeal continues today with every Social Security disability case we litigate. When you fill out the form on this page you will be taking the first step towards your future. A member of the Cochran Disability Lawyers Team will contact you back to start a free disability case evaluation.

Fill out the Form now to get started.

SSDI Benefits For People Who Worked Regularly Before Becoming Disabled

If you have been injured or have been diagnosed with a medical condition and are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. SSDI benefits are generally more than SSI benefits, but have stricter eligibility criteria. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers can review your case for free to help you find out if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here are a few basic guidelines set forth by Social Security to determine who is entitled to SSDI benefits:

•Disability: You cannot do any substantial work due to a medical condition (physical and/or emotional) that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Click here to learn more about qualifying disabilities.

•History of Paying Social Security: You must have participated in employment where you paid into the Social Security program and earned a certain amount of work credits to qualify, based on how long you paid into Social Security.

•Income: You must show that you are financially in need of benefits and your monthly income cannot exceed SSDI eligibility amounts.

The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyer's Social Security disability lawyers can provide you with a free review of your claim. Fill out the form on this page now to get started.

For Parents of Disabled Children-
Can I receive Social Security disability benefits for my disabled child?

If you have a child younger than 18 with a disability, your child may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Your child must meet the following requirements to qualify for SSI:

•Income requirements may also need to be met. More information can be obtained on the SSA website.

•Must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, that result in “marked and severe functional limitations.”
•Condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months; or must be expected to result in death.

The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyer's Social Security disability lawyers can review your information and determine if your child is eligible to receive SSI. Fill out the form now to get started.

Income requirements may also need to be met. More information can be obtained on the SSA website (link: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm)

Advantages of Having a Social Security Disability Attorney

At times, filing a Social Security Disability claim can be compared to fighting a battle. Remember it is you against the government! And like any battle, it’s always good to have someone standing in your corner supporting and cheering you on. In the battle of receiving disability benefits, a Social Security disability attorney on your side could be the difference between receiving benefits or not!

While it is true that having a Social Security Disability attorney is not necessary to file a Social Security Disability claim, the chances of being approved are better if you have one. Although many individuals wait until after being denied to find an attorney, in some cases it’s more beneficial to obtain one before. Every case is different and the role a Social Security Disability attorney can play is based on the specific facts of each case. Regardless of this, there are several benefits to having an attorney work with you on your Social Security Disability case.

A few examples of what a Social Security Disability attorney can do for you and your case are:

•Protect your right to a fair hearing
•Ensure that your claim was properly decided
•Ensure that all crucial records to benefit your case are provided to the SSA
•If necessary, advise you on how to appeal your claim
•Request subpoenas to ensure the presence of crucial witnesses or documents at your hearing
•Cross-examine witnesses at your hearing
•Represent you in a Federal Court review of your case, if necessary
•Request a time extension
•Advise you on how to prepare yourself for a hearing
•Submit a written summary of the evidence and argument to the administrative law judge

Don't fight the battle alone! For more information about what our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys can do for you, fill out the form on this page for a FREE social Security disability case evaluation.

Why Your Social Security Disability Claim May Have Been Denied

After completing and putting together what you considered to be the BEST application for disability benefits, you receive a letter in the mail stating that you were denied Social Security disability benefits. Like many other applicants, you are left wondering how the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your Social Security disability claim after you provided them with ample evidence of your disability.

The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether an individual is disabled. Under SSA guidelines, “Disability” is defined and based on an individual’s inability to work. Step One of the process is learning whether or not you are working. If you’re working and your earnings average more than $1,000 a month, you generally will not be considered disabled. If you are not working or your monthly earnings average the current amount or less, the SSA then looks at Step Two, your medical condition.

To be decided “disabled” your medical condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities such as walking, sitting and remembering. If your condition is considered to not be severe, you will not be considered disabled. If your condition is considered severe the SSA will proceed to Step Three, to see if your condition is on the “List of Impairments”. If listed, you are automatically defined as disabled and approved for benefits. If not, the SSA will compare your condition with one from the list. If it is found not to be as severe, the SSA moves on to Step Four to determine if you can do the work that you did before.

To determine whether you can do the work that you did before, the SSA reviews the work that you've done in the last 15 years that involved significant and productive physical or mental activities. They compare how you did the work and how the work is generally done across the U.S. against your current capacity to work. If they determine that you can do the work as you did before or as it is done nationally, you will not be approved. If they determine you cannot do the work, they move to Step Five to see if you would be able to participate in another type of job.

To determine if you are able to do another job, the SSA evaluates your medical condition, age, education, past work experience and any skills you may have that could be used to do other work. If you are unable to do other work based on these factors, you will be considered disabled.

Be the deciding factor in your case! Any evidence that you have to prove your disability is vital to the success of your claim. The more information that you provide to the SSA to prove your claim, the more likely you will have a successful case.

For more information about Social Security benefits or to receive assistance in filing a claim, even if you have already been denied Social Security disability benefits, fill out the form on this page for a FREE Social Security disability case evaluation. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers offers experienced Social Security disability lawyers.

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