Los Angeles Disability Attorney Explains Hearings

Want to know what happens once you request a hearing? A Los Angeles disability attorney has the answer.

Once you have made the request, and before the hearing is held, your case will be assigned to an attorney advisor, who may do any of the following:

• Review the file;
• Request more evidence; or
• Conduct a pre-hearing conference.

The Los Angeles disability attorney wants you to know that this pre-hearing conference is informal, and usually involves a telephone call to your attorney.

If this advisor offers a favorable decision, then the hearing request will be dismissed. However, a request to proceed with the hearing can be made, as long as it happens within 30 days of the decision. The Los Angeles disability lawyer instructs that the appeals council, not an ALJ, has the authority to review attorney advisor decisions.

There are two ways for you to appear before the ALJ:

• In person; and
• Via video teleconference.

If you object to a video teleconference, the ALJ can reschedule the hearing so you can be there in person. 20 C.F.R. § 404.936(d) and (e).

There is one major difference between a hearing before an ALJ and a court case cautions the Los Angeles disability attorney. Some evidence that may not be admissible in court according to the rules of evidence may be received at a hearing before an ALJ. This includes but is not limited to expert testimony, either in person or by video.

Once the hearing is over, an administrative law judge will issue a written decision.

For more information on the hearing process, contact Los Angeles disability attorney Janna Lowenstein at 800-954-7752.