My Lawyer Dropped My Disability Case: What Are My Next Steps?
When your lawyer drops your disability case, it can feel like you are being abandoned during an already frustrating and anxiety-filled time. But don’t give in to despair. There are steps you can take to preserve your disability claim and find another disability lawyer who will help you get the benefits you deserve.
Find Out What Happened
The first step is to determine why your previous lawyer ended their representation. Lawyers leave cases for many reasons. They might see too many missing documents, a lack of strong medical support for the claim, or find that the communication with you was too difficult. Sometimes, a lawyer and client disagree on how to approach the case.
Check your agreement and read the terms outlining the conditions in which ending the representation could be terminated and what fees are payable.
Importantly, you should request your complete file. This will help you move on and set up a solid foundation with a new disability law attorney.
At The Keener Law Firm, our team takes pride in providing clear explanations and helping clients understand their rights. If your lawyer did not outline their decision or left you with questions, Keener’s attorneys are prepared to step in, review your situation, and offer you detailed guidance about your situation. But act quickly. Delays in reaching out to a new lawyer could result in you missing important filing deadlines.
Watch Your Disability Claim’s Deadlines
Strict deadlines apply to disability claims. Missing one could seriously affect your chances of receiving benefits. Act quickly, check your hearing date, and confirm with the Social Security Administration that you are now your own main contact until you hire a new attorney.
If a hearing is coming up and you are not ready, request a postponement. Judges usually approve these requests if your lawyer withdrew from your case at the last minute. The Keener Law Firm knows how to handle tight timelines, keeping cases moving so deadlines are not missed.
Find a New, Experienced Legal Representative
Replacing your lawyer will seem stressful. No matter why your first lawyer dropped the case, you will naturally feel nervous without someone acting as your advocate in this bureaucratic system. Focus on hiring a disability attorney with a dedicated focus on disability law, not someone who only dabbles in Social Security Disability cases. Look for firms with proven results, prompt communications, and respectful client testimonials. Many claimants have started fresh with The Keener Law Firm after facing difficulties with other lawyers. The attorneys here know how to review medical records, prepare appeals, and rebuild momentum for your case.
Improve Your Medical Documentation
Sometimes cases are dropped because documentation was incomplete or failed to fully support your claim. If this is true in your case, fill in the gaps. Schedule doctor visits, collect recent tests, and get statements from healthcare providers that clarify your limitations. This step can help remedy shortcomings in your claim.
Keener Law Firm works closely with clients to gather and organize thorough medical evidence. Our team’s attention to these details has helped many disability claimants improve their chances of success.
Protect Your Right to a Fair Hearing
If your case is scheduled for a hearing soon, you have the right to ask for more time. Make your request promptly and clearly. Judges understand when lawyers withdraw and they are usually willing to allow reasonable delays so you can secure new representation.
Legal experience matters most during this phase. The Keener Law Firm makes sure clients understand the process and never feel pressured to appear in court without preparation or proper counsel.
Consider Filing a Complaint if Needed
Occasionally a lawyer leaves you without proper notice or fails to provide documents. If you feel you were treated unfairly, you can file a complaint with your state bar association. While this step should be considered carefully before you move forward, there are situations when it is important to file a complaint, especially if your attorney refuses to give you your complete file upon demand. In such a situation, a bar association complaint may cause the records to be returned to you swiftly.
Why So Many Choose the Keener Law Firm
People turn to The Keener Law Firm because of our extensive experience and devotion to the practice of Social Security disability law. Our firm’s attorneys help clients through setbacks, whether at the start of a claim or after a case gets dropped by another lawyer. Every step is explained, and every effort is made to rebuild a claim with care and skill. If you have faced setbacks or have been left by a previous lawyer, The Keener Law Firm offers a fresh start. We understand how to prepare appeals, gather the right medical documentation, and fight for your rights.
Take the Next Step Today
Do not let a lawyer’s withdrawal from your case be the final chapter in your disability claim. Gather your documents, reach out for new support, and keep moving forward. The Keener Law Firm is ready to help get your case moving in the right direction again.
If your disability claim was dropped, contact The Keener Law Firm today for a thorough case review and reliable legal guidance. With decades of experience and a passion for helping people overcome challenges, Keener Law will help you get back on track and work with you through every stage of your disability case.
SOURCES
- https://sslg.com/my-disability-lawyer-dropped-my-case/
- https://www.atticus.com/advice/general/dear-atticus-help-my-lawyer-dropped-my-case
- https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/lawyer-has-withdrawn-from-disability-case-7-days-b-2334569.html
- https://www.disabilityapproved.com/dropped-by-your-social-security-disability-attorney-or-representative/
- https://www.burge-law.com/what-to-do-when-your-attorney-drops-your-case/