Q: Can you hire a new social security disability lawyer if you are not happy with the one you hired?
A: If you are not happy with your current social security disability lawyer, you are allowed to hire a new one. That being said, there are a few things you should do before you do that. First, speak with your current social security disability lawyer and let him or her know that you are not happy with the level of service you are receiving. A lawyer often does not even know that a client has issues and simply discussing them can solve the problem. Most any good social security disability lawyer would want a chance to address your concerns before he or she is let go. If you are not comfortable speaking with your lawyer directly, talk to someone else in the same firm. Perhaps there is another attorney that would be a better fit for you. And a lawyer at the same firm would mean an easier transition of your case and all the supporting evidence and documentation, than changing to a lawyer with another firm. If you end up deciding to hire another lawyer, regardless of whether it is in the same firm or not, do not let your current social security disability lawyer go before you have hired another. Contact the disability examiner assigned to your claim and let him or her know that you will be hiring another lawyer. Get a status update on your claim, so you know whether you are in jeopardy of missing deadlines. Make sure the new lawyer knows where your claim is in the process and has made contact with the disability examiner. Once you have done that, you can let your old lawyer know that his or her services will no longer be required.
Q: Will you be penalized if you change to a new social security disability lawyer?
A: No, Social Security will not penalize you if you hire a new social security disability lawyer. Make sure you notify the disability examiner for your case that you will be changing your representation and have the new lawyer contact Social Security, as well. Do all of that before you notify your old lawyer that his or her services are no longer necessary.