Many people start their search for a good disability lawyer online. Before hiring, many clients visit a lawyer’s website, read their Google reviews and possibly ask friends or family for guidance. But, if you’re considering hiring a disability lawyer online, you’ll want to take the following steps first.
Decide If You Want to Go Local or National
There are national and local disability firms. National disability firms pool their resources to market to and process claimants in many states. Typically, they have a central intake and marketing center which handles most of their claim administration. If your claim progresses to a hearing, they’ll assign a contracted attorney in your state to your case and that attorney will go to your hearing with you.
In contrast, local firms employ attorneys that are either partners or staff at local firms. They live and work nearby and typically have dedicated case managers who will be handling your claim.
One benefit of using a local firm instead of a national firm is that their attorneys may be more familiar with the Judges in your area. Obviously, being familiar with a Judge doesn’t mean that will change the outcome of your claim. But it does help the attorney organize and present your claim in a manner that is most advantageous to your argument. Knowing a Judge’s history also helps the attorney better manage your expectations as to the possible outcome of your claim.
There is no wrong decision in choosing a national or local firm. But be sure to think through the above before searching online so you can narrow down your choices accordingly.
Be Smart When Reading Google Reviews
Many people prioritize the reviews that suggest a disability lawyer secured a positive result for a client. But that’s never the full story. We would also suggest that you make a note of reviews that highlight the following:
- Good communication. If a law firm is responsive to a client’s questions or needs, that’s a good indication that they will be patient and thorough while handling your claim.
- Kindness. You will be working with this firm during one of the most difficult times of your life. It’s important that they remain sensitive and understanding along the way.
- Honesty. The best lawyers are upfront with clients and don’t waste their time. If you have a bad claim or aren’t likely to be successful, you’ll want to know that before you apply. Find a lawyer that will be upfront with you, no matter what.
Sign Up For a Free Consultation
Most disability lawyers (including us!) offer free consultations on your claim. If you’re on the fence, give a few lawyers a call and schedule a free consultation. Each lawyer will review the merits of your claim at no cost to you.
During the call, you can get a good sense for their personality and working style to see if you two make a good team. If something seems “off” or you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask or take more time. This is an important decision.
To summarize, while it’s never been easier to find a good disability lawyer online, it’s important to do your research first. If you’re looking for a disability lawyer in North Carolina, we’d be happy to help.
