Morgan & Morgan is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases

Morgan & Morgan is a national law firm with offices in multiple states. They take cases where someone has been denied SSDI or SSI benefits and wants to appeal the decision, or where someone is explore for the first time and wants a lawyer from the start. Like most disability law firms, they work on a contingency fee — meaning they only get paid if you win your case, and the fee comes from your back pay (the money owed to you from when your condition began), not from your pocket.

The firm handles the paperwork, gathers medical records, and represents you at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). They do not work directly for Social Security; they work for you to argue your case against Social Security's initial decision.

Key Takeaways

  • Morgan & Morgan charges a contingency fee only if you win, and the fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200.
  • You can hire a disability lawyer at any stage — when you first file, after a denial, or before a hearing — though waiting until after a denial is common.
  • The firm handles communication with Social Security, obtains your medical records, and prepares you for your hearing before a judge.
  • You should compare Morgan & Morgan with other disability law firms in your state, since fees and experience vary and many firms charge the same capped rate.

How the contingency fee works

If Morgan & Morgan wins your case, they take a percentage of your back pay — the money Social Security owes you from the date your condition began. Federal law caps this fee at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. If you win $20,000 in back pay, the firm takes $5,000 (25 percent). If you win $30,000 in back pay, the firm takes $7,200 (the cap), not $7,500.

You do not pay anything if you lose. You also do not pay the firm's costs — copying records, obtaining medical evidence, filing court documents — out of your own pocket. Those costs come from your back pay as well, after the firm's fee is deducted. This means you should ask the firm upfront what costs they expect and how those will be handled, so you know what to expect when you receive your award.

The fee cap is the same across all SSDI and SSI cases, so Morgan & Morgan's rate is the same as most other disability law firms. The difference between firms is usually in experience, responsiveness, and how well they handle cases in your particular state or region.

What Morgan & Morgan does in your case

Once you hire the firm, they become your representative with Social Security. This means Social Security sends documents to them, not to you. They request your medical records from your doctors and hospitals, review them to find evidence that supports your claim, and organize that evidence for the judge.

If your case goes to a hearing — which happens in most cases that reach a judge — the firm prepares you for what to expect, coaches you on how to answer questions, and argues your case in front of the ALJ. They may also hire a medical informed or vocational informed to testify about your condition and your ability to work.

The firm handles all communication with Social Security on your behalf. You do not have to call Social Security or file documents yourself; the firm does that. This is one of the main reasons people hire a lawyer — to remove the burden of navigating the system while they are dealing with a serious medical condition.

When to hire Morgan & Morgan or another disability lawyer

You can hire a lawyer at any point in the process. Some people hire one before they file their first process, especially if they have already been denied once and know the system is difficult. Others wait until after Social Security denies them, then hire a lawyer to appeal.

The most common time to hire a lawyer is after your first or second denial, when you are preparing for a hearing before an ALJ. At that stage, having a lawyer makes a measurable difference — judges are more likely to approve cases when a lawyer is present, and the lawyer knows what evidence the judge will want to see.

If you are still in the early stages of your process and Social Security has not yet denied you, you can still hire Morgan & Morgan. They will review your case and tell you whether they think you have a strong claim. If they do not think you will win, they may decline to take your case, since they only get paid if you win.

How to learn about Morgan & Morgan serves your state

Morgan & Morgan has offices in many states, but not all. You can visit their website or call their main number to find out whether they have an office near you or whether they handle cases in your state remotely. Some disability law firms work only in certain states or regions because Social Security's regional offices and judges vary, and experience in your local system matters.

If Morgan & Morgan does not serve your area, ask them for a referral to another firm, or search for disability lawyers in your state through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or your state bar association. Many disability lawyers charge the same capped fee and have similar experience, so you have real options.

Questions to ask before you hire

Before you sign a fee agreement with Morgan & Morgan or any disability law firm, ask these questions: How long do they expect your case to take? What costs do they anticipate, and how will those be deducted from your award? Have they handled cases in front of your local ALJ before? Will the same person work on your case from start to finish, or will it be handed off to different lawyers? What is their approval rate — what percentage of cases do they win?

You should also ask whether they will represent you at a hearing if your case goes that far, or whether they only handle paperwork. Some firms do both; others focus on one or the other. Make sure you understand what you are paying for before you agree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire Morgan & Morgan if I already have a lawyer?

You can switch lawyers, but you will need to file a form with Social Security to change your representative. If your current lawyer has already earned a fee from a previous award, that fee is already paid and cannot be recovered. A new lawyer can only charge a fee on any new money you win going forward.

What happens if Morgan & Morgan loses my case?

You pay nothing. The firm absorbs the cost of the case. You can then appeal further — to the Appeals Council, or to federal court — and hire the same firm or a different one to represent you in that appeal.

How long does a case usually take with a lawyer?

From hiring to a hearing decision, most cases take one to three years. Some are faster if Social Security approves you quickly; others are slower if you need multiple rounds of appeals. Ask the firm for a timeline based on cases they have handled in your area.

Do I have to go to the hearing in person?

Most hearings are held by video or phone now, not in person. Your lawyer will tell you how your hearing will be conducted and help you prepare. You should plan to be present — the judge wants to hear from you directly — but you do not have to travel to an office.

What if I disagree with Morgan & Morgan's strategy?

You are the client and you have the right to make final decisions about your case. If you and your lawyer disagree on strategy, discuss it directly. If you cannot reach agreement, you can fire the lawyer and hire someone else, though you should do this before a hearing if possible.