Who Cannon Disability Law Is and What They Handle
Cannon Disability Law is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They work on behalf of claimants at the initial process stage, reconsideration appeal, hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and Appeals Council review. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid only if you win your case — the fee comes from your past-due benefits, capped by federal law at 25 percent or $7,200, whichever is less.
The firm's practice focuses on Social Security disability law. They do not handle workers' compensation, personal injury, or other types of cases. If you are explore for SSDI or SSI, or if you have been denied and are appealing, Cannon Disability Law may represent you throughout the process.
Key Takeaways
- Cannon Disability Law represents claimants in SSDI and SSI cases at all stages, from initial process through Appeals Council review.
- The firm works on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront and the fee is taken from your back pay only if you win.
- You can contact them directly by phone or through their website to discuss whether they will take your case.
- Having a lawyer does not speed up Social Security's decision timeline, but representation increases the chance of approval at the hearing stage.
- You are free to hire Cannon Disability Law, switch to a different representative, or represent yourself at any point in your case.
How to Contact Cannon Disability Law
Cannon Disability Law accepts inquiries through their website and by phone. You can reach out to discuss your case and ask whether they will represent you. When you contact them, have your Social Security number, the date you applied or were denied, and any decision letters from Social Security ready to share.
The firm will review your case to determine whether they believe you have a reasonable chance of winning. They are not required to take every case, and they may decline if they think the facts or medical evidence do not support a disability finding. If they decline, they can often refer you to another representative in your area.
What Happens When Cannon Disability Law Represents You
Once you hire the firm, they will handle communication with Social Security on your behalf. You will sign a fee agreement and an authorization form that tells Social Security to work with your lawyer. The firm will gather your medical records, work history, and other evidence needed to support your claim.
If your case goes to a hearing before an ALJ, Cannon Disability Law will prepare you for testimony, organize your evidence, and argue your case in front of the judge. They may also call medical or vocational experts to testify about your condition and work capacity. Throughout the process, they keep you informed of important date and next steps.
The Contingency Fee Structure and What It Means
Under federal law, a lawyer representing you in a Social Security case can charge no more than 25 percent of your past-due benefits or $7,200, whichever is smaller. This is called a contingency fee. You do not pay the fee out of pocket — it is deducted from the lump sum of back pay you receive if you win.
For example, if you are awarded SSDI and receive $15,000 in back pay, your lawyer's fee would be the lesser of 25 percent ($3,750) or $7,200. In this case, $3,750 would be deducted from your $15,000, leaving you $11,250. If you lose, you owe nothing.
Before the fee is taken, Social Security must approve it. Cannon Disability Law will submit a fee petition to Social Security, and you have the right to object if you think the fee is unreasonable. In practice, most fee petitions are approved without objection.
When Representation Makes the Biggest Difference
Having a lawyer does not change how long Social Security takes to make a decision. Initial applications still take three to six months, and appeals can take a year or more. However, representation significantly increases your chances of winning at the hearing stage, where an ALJ reviews your case in person.
At the initial and reconsideration stages, many people are denied without ever speaking to a judge. A lawyer can help you present your case more effectively and catch errors in Social Security's reasoning. If your case reaches a hearing, a lawyer's presence and preparation often matter most — judges see represented claimants win at higher rates than unrepresented ones.
Other Representatives and When to Consider Them
You do not have to hire Cannon Disability Law. You can represent yourself, hire a different lawyer, or work with a non-lawyer representative such as an accredited representative from a disability advocacy organization. Non-lawyer representatives charge the same contingency fees and can represent you at hearings, though they cannot appear in court if your case reaches federal court.
If Cannon Disability Law declines your case or you prefer to work with someone else, you can interview other representatives. Ask about their experience with cases like yours, how they communicate with clients, and whether they have handled cases in your state. You can also contact your state's Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program for referrals to low-cost or free representation.
What to Bring When You First Contact Them
Have the following information ready when you call or fill out an intake form: your Social Security number, the date you filed your claim, any decision letters from Social Security, a list of your medical conditions, the names and addresses of doctors or therapists who have treated you, your work history for the past 15 years, and any previous appeals or denials.
If you have already been denied once or twice, bring those denial letters. They explain why Social Security rejected your claim and help the lawyer understand what evidence you need to gather to win on appeal. The more organized your information is, the faster the firm can assess your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire Cannon Disability Law even if I have already been denied?
Yes. Most people who hire a disability lawyer do so after a denial. You can hire them at the reconsideration stage, before a hearing, or even after an Appeals Council decision. The sooner you hire representation, the more time they have to prepare, but it is never too late to bring a lawyer into your case.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Cannon Disability Law works on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront. If you lose, you owe nothing. If you win, the fee comes from your back pay. You do not need money in advance to hire them. If they decline your case, contact your state's PABSS program or a local legal aid office for free or low-cost representation options.
Can I switch lawyers or fire my representative?
Yes. You can change representatives at any stage of your case. You will need to file a new authorization form with Social Security naming your new representative and revoking the old one. If you owe a fee to your first representative, Social Security will deduct it from your back pay before paying your new representative's fee.
How long does it take to hear back after I contact them?
Response times vary by firm workload. Most disability law firms respond to intake inquiries within a few business days. If you do not hear back within a week, follow up by phone or email. If the firm is too busy to take your case, ask for a referral to another representative in your area.
Will hiring a lawyer speed up my case?
No. Social Security's timelines are the same whether you have a lawyer or not. Initial applications take three to six months, and hearings can take a year or longer depending on your local ALJ office's backlog. A lawyer's main value is increasing your chances of winning, not speeding up the process.