Morgan and Morgan handles personal injury and workers' compensation, not Social Security Disability Insurance claims

Morgan and Morgan is a personal injury law firm with offices across the United States. They represent clients in car accidents, slip-and-fall cases, workplace injuries, and similar tort claims. They do not represent people filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and they are not listed among law firms that specialize in Social Security disability representation.

If you are looking for a lawyer to help with an SSDI or SSI claim, you need a firm or attorney who focuses on Social Security disability law specifically. That is a different legal practice area with its own rules, evidence standards, and appeal procedures. Morgan and Morgan's informed in personal injury does not transfer to Social Security disability cases.

Key Takeaways

  • Morgan and Morgan is a personal injury firm, not a Social Security disability law firm, and does not handle SSDI or SSI cases.
  • If you have a work-related injury or accident claim, Morgan and Morgan may represent you in that case separately from any disability benefits you pursue.
  • Social Security disability representation requires specialized knowledge of medical evidence standards, the appeals process, and how SSDI intersects with workers' compensation.
  • You can find Social Security disability attorneys through the Social Security Administration's website, your state bar association, or the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

When a personal injury case and disability benefits overlap

You may have both a personal injury claim and a disability benefits claim at the same time. For example, if you were injured in a car accident and can no longer work, you might file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance while also filing for SSDI. These are separate legal processes with different outcomes.

Morgan and Morgan could represent you in the personal injury or insurance claim. But you would need a different attorney—one who specializes in Social Security disability law—to handle your SSDI or SSI case. Some people work with both firms simultaneously, though you should tell each attorney about the other case so they understand the full picture of your situation.

One important note: if you receive a settlement from a personal injury case, that money can affect your SSI benefits. SSDI has no resource limit, but SSI does, and a large settlement could make you ineligible for SSI temporarily or permanently. A Social Security disability attorney can advise you on how to structure a settlement to protect your benefits.

How Social Security disability representation differs from personal injury law

Social Security disability cases turn on medical evidence, not negligence or liability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not care whether someone else caused your condition. It only cares whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability and whether you have medical records to prove it.

The appeals process is also different. If the SSA denies your claim, you request reconsideration, then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), then appeals to the Appeals Council and federal court. Each stage has specific rules about what evidence you can submit and how you must present it. A lawyer who knows personal injury law but not Social Security disability law will not know these procedures.

Attorneys who represent Social Security disability claimants charge a fee only if you win your case. The SSA caps the fee at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you became disabled until the date you were approved), up to a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024. This is very different from personal injury contingency fees, which are often higher and calculated differently.

Finding a Social Security disability attorney

The Social Security Administration maintains a list of attorneys and non-attorney representatives authorized to practice before the SSA. You can search this list on the SSA's website by name, location, or firm. The list includes solo practitioners, small firms, and larger organizations.

The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) is a professional association for attorneys and representatives who focus on Social Security disability law. Their website has a directory of members, and membership is a sign that someone takes Social Security disability seriously as a practice area.

Your state bar association may also have a referral service or a section focused on disability law. Some legal aid organizations in your area represent low-income people in Social Security disability cases for free or at reduced cost. Call your local legal aid office to ask whether they handle Social Security cases and whether you meet their income limits.

What to look for in a Social Security disability attorney

Ask how many Social Security disability cases the attorney has handled and what their approval rate is. An attorney who has handled hundreds of cases and has a higher-than-average approval rate has real experience. Be wary of anyone who guarantees approval—no one can may provide that the SSA will approve your claim.

Ask whether the attorney will represent you at the hearing stage, not just the initial process. Many people are denied at first process and need representation at the hearing before an ALJ. Some attorneys only handle initial applications, while others focus on appeals. You want someone who will stick with your case through the hearing if needed.

Ask about communication. Will the attorney call you to discuss your medical evidence? Will they explain what the SSA is looking for? Will they prepare you for the hearing? A good Social Security disability attorney is hands-on because the quality of medical evidence and testimony makes the difference between approval and denial.

If you have a workers' compensation injury

If your disability stems from a work-related injury, you may have both a workers' compensation claim and an SSDI claim. Morgan and Morgan does handle workers' compensation cases in some states. If they represent you in workers' compensation, they can explain how that settlement or award might affect your SSDI benefits.

Workers' compensation benefits do not reduce SSDI benefits dollar-for-dollar the way some other benefits do. However, if your workers' compensation award is very large, it could affect your ability to work and therefore your SSDI status. A Social Security disability attorney can explain these interactions and help you understand what to report to the SSA.

If Morgan and Morgan is handling your workers' compensation case, ask them for a referral to a Social Security disability attorney. They may have relationships with firms that specialize in disability law and can point you in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Morgan and Morgan help me file for disability benefits?

No. Morgan and Morgan is a personal injury firm and does not handle Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income cases. You need an attorney who specializes in Social Security disability law. Search the SSA's list of authorized representatives or contact NOSSCR to find one.

What if I have both a personal injury case and a disability claim?

You can work with Morgan and Morgan on the personal injury case and a separate Social Security disability attorney on your SSDI or SSI claim. Tell both attorneys about the other case so they understand your full situation. A large personal injury settlement can affect SSI benefits, so your disability attorney should know about it.

Does workers' compensation reduce my SSDI benefits?

Workers' compensation does not reduce SSDI dollar-for-dollar, but a large award can affect your work capacity and therefore your disability status. A Social Security disability attorney can explain how your specific workers' compensation case might interact with your SSDI claim.

How much does a Social Security disability attorney cost?

Social Security disability attorneys charge a fee only if you win your case. The fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is denied.

Where do I find a Social Security disability attorney?

Search the SSA's list of authorized representatives on their website, check NOSSCR's directory, or contact your state bar association or local legal aid office. Ask about their experience with Social Security cases and their approval rate before you hire them.