Who Myler Disability Lawyers Is
Myler Disability Lawyers is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. The firm operates in multiple states and handles cases at the initial process stage, reconsideration, and before an administrative law judge (ALJ) at a hearing. They work on contingency, meaning you pay them only if you win your case.
The firm is known for handling high volume — they process thousands of cases per year across their offices. This scale shapes how they work: they use standardized processes, work with medical experts who conduct evaluations, and rely on staff attorneys and paralegals to manage the workflow alongside named partners.
Like all SSDI representation, Myler is bound by federal fee rules. If you win, the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays the firm directly from your back pay (the money owed from the date you became disabled). The maximum fee is 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. This cap has been in place since 2006 and applies to every representative in the country.
Key Takeaways
- Myler Disability Lawyers charges only if you win, and the fee comes from your back pay, not from your pocket.
- The firm handles cases in multiple states and works with medical experts to build your medical record for the hearing.
- You should understand the fee cap (25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less) before signing a fee agreement.
- Representation by any lawyer, including Myler, does not change SSA's rules for what counts as a disability or how long approval takes.
- You can switch representatives at any stage if you become unhappy with the service, though you may lose work already done.
How Myler Handles Your Case From Start to Finish
When you hire Myler, the firm begins by gathering your medical records from doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers. They request these directly from the providers and may also ask you to sign authorization forms so SSA can release records it already has. This stage typically takes weeks or months depending on how many providers you see and how quickly they respond.
If your case goes to a hearing (which most do, since initial denials are common), Myler will assign a staff attorney to prepare your case. That attorney reviews your medical evidence, identifies gaps, and may arrange for a medical informed — usually a doctor or psychologist — to examine you or review your records and write a report. This informed testimony is often the strongest part of a disability case because it directly addresses whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.
Before the hearing, Myler's office will contact you to prepare. They explain what to expect, what questions the judge will ask, and how to describe your limitations. On hearing day, your Myler attorney presents your case to the ALJ, questions your medical informed, and cross-examines the SSA's vocational informed (who testifies about whether jobs exist that you can do despite your limitations).
What Myler Cannot Do, Even Though You Might Hope They Can
Myler cannot speed up SSA's timeline. An initial decision takes three to six months. Reconsideration takes another three to six months. A hearing request sits in a queue for one to three years depending on your state and the judge's caseload. No lawyer can change this, no matter how large the firm or how experienced the attorney. If someone promises faster results, they are not being honest.
Myler also cannot change what SSA considers a disability. Social Security has a strict definition: you must have a condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. A lawyer can present your case more effectively, but cannot argue that SSA's rules should be different for you.
The firm cannot may provide approval. Even strong cases are sometimes denied because the judge disagrees with the medical evidence or believes you can still work. A good representative improves your odds, but does not remove the risk of denial.
When Myler Might Be a Good Fit
Myler works well for people with straightforward medical conditions — cancer, heart disease, severe arthritis, mental illness with clear treatment records — where the main challenge is presenting the evidence clearly rather than finding it. The firm's size and process-driven approach mean they are efficient at this type of case.
Myler is also a reasonable choice if you have already been denied once and are now at the reconsideration or hearing stage. By that point, you have a record of SSA's reasoning, and a lawyer can directly address why SSA was wrong.
The firm is less suited to cases where the medical record is thin, where you have not been treated consistently, or where your condition is rare or hard to document. In those situations, a smaller firm or a solo practitioner who specializes in difficult cases may serve you better, because they have more flexibility to spend time building the record from scratch.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Before hiring Myler or any firm, ask whether they have handled cases in your state and what their approval rate is for cases like yours. Approval rates vary by state and by judge, so a firm's national average may not tell you much. Ask specifically about cases involving your condition.
Ask what the fee agreement says about what happens if you fire them or if they withdraw. Some firms charge for work already done even if you leave; others do not. This matters because if you become unhappy, you want to know the cost of switching.
Ask whether the attorney assigned to your case will be the person you speak to, or whether you will mostly talk to paralegals and staff. Both arrangements are legal, but they affect how much personal attention you get. Large firms often use staff attorneys for routine work and reserve named partners for hearings.
Ask what happens if SSA denies you at the hearing. Can you appeal further (yes, to the Appeals Council and then federal court), and will Myler represent you at that stage, or will you need a different lawyer? Some firms stop at the ALJ hearing; others continue through Appeals Council review.
The Contingency Fee Model and What It Means
Myler's contingency arrangement — you pay only if you win — removes the upfront cost barrier. You do not need money to hire them. This is a real advantage if you are on a tight budget or already receiving SSI (which limits how much money you can have).
But contingency also means the firm has an incentive to close cases quickly rather than spend months building a perfect record. If a case looks weak, they may advise you to settle for a lower back-pay amount rather than fight for the full amount you are owed. This is not dishonest — it is a rational business decision — but it is not always in your best interest.
The fee cap protects you from being charged too much, but it also means the firm makes the same fee whether your back pay is $10,000 or $100,000. This can reduce their motivation to push for the highest possible award in your case.
How Myler Compares to Other Representation Options
Myler is one of the largest SSDI representation firms in the country. Other large firms include The Disability Law Group, Binder and Binder, and Allsup. These firms operate similarly: contingency fees, medical experts, high volume, multiple states. The main differences are in how they market themselves, which states they serve, and whether they have local offices near you.
Smaller firms and solo practitioners often provide more personalized attention and may be more willing to take on unusual or difficult cases. They may also be more transparent about their process and more willing to explain why they recommend a particular strategy. The trade-off is that they may have longer wait times and less infrastructure for gathering records and coordinating medical experts.
Non-lawyer representatives — called non-attorney representatives or NARs — can also represent you before SSA. They charge the same fee cap as lawyers. Some are very experienced; others are not. The main advantage of a lawyer is that they can represent you in federal court if you need to appeal beyond the Appeals Council. A non-lawyer cannot.
Red Flags and What to Avoid
Do not hire any representative — Myler or otherwise — who promises approval or a specific timeline. SSA makes the decision, not the lawyer. Anyone who guarantees results is either lying or does not understand the system.
Do not sign a fee agreement that charges you money upfront or that charges you a percentage of your monthly benefits going forward. Both are illegal. The only legal fee arrangement is contingency on back pay, capped at 25 percent or $7,200.
Do not hire a representative who discourages you from reading your own file or who refuses to explain their strategy. You have the right to see everything SSA has about you, and a good representative will help you understand it.
Be cautious if a firm pressures you to sign quickly or uses high-pressure sales tactics. Good representation does not require urgency. Take time to compare options and ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hiring Myler cost me anything if I lose?
No. Myler works on contingency, so you pay nothing if SSA denies you. You are responsible for any costs SSA charges (there are none for the basic process), but the firm's fee is zero if you do not win.
Can I switch lawyers if I become unhappy with Myler?
Yes. You can fire any representative at any time and hire someone else. However, check your fee agreement first — some firms charge for work already done, and you may lose the benefit of medical evaluations or records they gathered. You will need to authorize the new representative to access your file.
How long does it take Myler to get me a decision?
Myler does not control the timeline. SSA takes three to six months for initial decisions, another three to six months for reconsideration, and one to three years for a hearing. Myler's job is to prepare your case during that waiting period, not to speed it up.
What if I disagree with Myler's information about settling my case?
You have the final say. If Myler recommends accepting a settlement and you want to fight for more, you can refuse. However, understand that if you reject the recommendation and lose at the next stage, you will not get another chance at that lower amount. Ask Myler to explain in writing why they recommend settlement so you can make an informed decision.
Does Myler handle both SSDI and SSI cases?
Yes. Myler represents people in both programs. The legal standard for disability is the same in both, so the representation process is similar. However, SSI has additional rules about how much money and property you can have, so make sure Myler understands your situation if you are explore for SSI rather than SSDI.