Who Hiller Comerford Is and What They Handle
Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases, as well as personal injury and workers' compensation matters. The firm operates in multiple states and focuses on helping people who have been denied benefits or who need representation at a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).
The firm's disability practice centers on Social Security cases — both initial denials and appeals. If you have filed for SSDI or SSI and received a denial, or if you are waiting for a hearing decision, Hiller Comerford can represent you in front of Social Security's own judges. They also handle some workers' compensation and personal injury claims that may intersect with disability benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Hiller Comerford represents people in SSDI and SSI cases, primarily at the hearing stage after an initial denial.
- The firm operates under a contingency fee agreement, meaning you pay nothing unless you win, and the fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of back pay, up to $7,200 (as of 2024).
- You can contact the firm directly to discuss your case, but you should have your Social Security case number and denial letter ready.
- Having a lawyer does not speed up Social Security's timeline, but representation significantly increases the chance of winning at a hearing.
- The firm also handles personal injury and workers' compensation cases that may affect your SSDI or SSI status.
How Contingency Fees Work in Disability Cases
Hiller Comerford, like most disability law firms, works on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay the firm upfront. Instead, if you win your case, Social Security pays the attorney's fee directly from your back pay — the money owed to you from the date you filed until the date your benefits started.
Federal law caps attorney fees in SSDI and SSI cases at the lesser of 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200 (the dollar cap adjusts annually for inflation). So if you receive $10,000 in back pay, the maximum fee is $2,500. If you receive $30,000 in back pay, the fee is still capped at $7,200, not $7,500. You never pay out of pocket.
If you lose your case, you owe the firm nothing. This structure means the firm has a financial incentive to take cases it believes can win, and it protects you from legal bills if the outcome is unfavorable.
When to Contact Hiller Comerford About Your Case
You should consider contacting a disability lawyer like Hiller Comerford if you have received a denial from Social Security and want to appeal, or if you have a hearing scheduled and want representation. The firm can also advise you if you are in the early stages of a claim and want to understand your options.
Have the following information ready when you call: your Social Security case number (found on any letter from Social Security), your denial letter or most recent notice, a summary of your medical conditions, and the names and dates of any doctors or specialists you have seen. The firm will use this to decide whether your case is one they can represent.
You do not need a lawyer to file for SSDI or SSI initially, and many people are approved without one. But if you have been denied and plan to appeal, the statistics shift sharply: people represented by lawyers win their hearings at much higher rates than those who represent themselves.
What Happens If You Hire Hiller Comerford
Once you hire the firm, they will review your medical records, obtain records from your doctors, and prepare your case for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The ALJ is a Social Security employee who decides whether you meet the legal definition of disability under SSDI or SSI rules.
Your lawyer will prepare you for the hearing, explain what to expect, and represent you in front of the judge. They may also arrange for a medical informed or vocational informed to testify on your behalf, depending on what your case needs. After the hearing, the judge issues a written decision, usually within a few weeks to a few months.
If you win, Social Security calculates your back pay and pays your lawyer's fee from that amount. If you lose, you can appeal further (to the Appeals Council, then federal court), and your lawyer can advise you on whether those steps make sense in your situation.
Disability Cases Beyond Social Security
Hiller Comerford also handles personal injury and workers' compensation cases. These can matter to your SSDI or SSI status because a workers' compensation settlement or a personal injury award may reduce your SSI payment (SSDI is not reduced by these awards, but SSI is). A lawyer who understands both disability benefits and personal injury law can help you structure a settlement to protect your benefits.
If you have been injured in an accident or at work and are also receiving or seeking disability benefits, it is worth asking Hiller Comerford whether they can handle both the injury claim and the benefits side, or whether they can refer you to someone who can coordinate the two.
How to Reach Hiller Comerford
Hiller Comerford operates in multiple states. You can find their contact information and office locations through their website or by searching for "Hiller Comerford" plus your state. Most disability law firms offer a free initial consultation, so you can discuss your case without cost before deciding whether to hire them.
When you call, be clear about what stage your case is at: initial process, reconsideration, hearing, or appeal. This helps the firm determine quickly whether they take cases at your stage and in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiring a lawyer speed up my Social Security case?
No. Social Security's timeline is set by federal law and does not change based on whether you have a lawyer. A hearing typically takes 4 to 18 months to schedule from the date you request it. What a lawyer does is increase your chances of winning once the hearing happens.
Can Hiller Comerford represent me if I live outside their office states?
Some disability law firms represent clients in multiple states, while others are licensed only in specific states. Contact the firm directly to ask whether they can take your case based on where you live and where your Social Security case is being handled.
What if I already have a hearing date scheduled?
You can hire a lawyer at any point before your hearing, even a few weeks before. The firm will have less time to prepare, but representation is still valuable. Call as soon as you know your hearing date.
Do I have to use Hiller Comerford, or can I choose a different lawyer?
You can choose any lawyer licensed to practice in your state and approved to represent people in Social Security cases. Hiller Comerford is one option; there are many others. Interview a few firms and choose the one you are most comfortable with.
What happens to my back pay after I win?
Social Security sends your back pay to you (or your representative payee if you have one). Your lawyer's fee is deducted from that amount before you receive it. The remainder is yours to keep, and it does not count as income for SSI purposes in the month you receive it.