Preparation for a Social Security Disability Benefits Hearing
A Columbus disability lawyer is an important component to the disability benefits recovery process. Not only can a lawyer guide applicants through the complexities of the Social Security Administration (SSA) process for benefits and appeals, but he or she can counsel clients facing difficult and debilitating injuries and life-altering injuries.
One of the first steps your Columbus disability lawyer will take is to interview any witnesses to your injury. For example, if your injury took place in a crowded shopping area, it is possible that one or two witnesses may be able to recount the experience with unwavering accuracy. If these witnesses are willing, they can testify as to the facts surrounding your injury and how it happened – including the nature and condition of the premises at the time of the accident.
It is important to distinguish the concepts of preparing witnesses for testimony and rehearsing a testimonial. A Columbus disability attorney will not participate in a rehearsal with witnesses and will encourage witnesses to speak from their own recollection and perceptions. The judge presiding over the hearing will quickly sense if a witness has been coached and will give that witness’s testimony little weight. Any Columbus disability lawyer can attest that the best testimony emphasizes basic observations from the incident in question and does not include any personal conclusions. Witness testimony with grandiose legal language or scientific and technical medical jargon will appear clearly rehearsed.
Witnesses should also be careful not to use terms like “disabled” or “too disabled to work.” These terms are not necessarily grounded in binding SSA statutory language and could detract from the witnesses’ credibility and sincerity.
For more information on how to best prepare for a hearing before the SSA, we urge you to contact our offices as soon as possible. We are qualified and experienced disability lawyers eager to help you with your case. Give me a brief description of your claim using the form to the right, or you may contact my office at:
Matthew A. Weller
Columbus Social Security disability attorney
