Choosing a law firm to handle your case from start to trial may be one of the most important decisions to make. You need to be certain that your lawyers are well qualified to represent you through every stage of the case. You need lawyers who know how to investigate a claim and present it to the person at fault or their insurance company where it may be resolved during the claim phase.
You need lawyers who will immediately file a lawsuit if the insurance companies fail to recognize the merit of your claim and refuse to pay reasonable compensation or reimbursement. You need lawyers who will devote themselves to preparing your case for trial. You need lawyers who will prove your case extraordinarily well, based on years of experience. And finally, you need lawyers who can appeal your case to higher courts when the need arises. Contact us to discuss whether we can help you win your case at trial.
When someone suffers an injury due to the negligence of a person, governmental agency or a corporation, the injured person may well be entitled to monetary compensation. In general, negligence is a failure to use appropriate care under all the circumstances. In order to make out a negligence case, the injured person must also be able to prove that the negligent person knew or should have known about the negligent condition and failed to fix it or prevent the condition.
When the carelessness and negligence of an individual or a corporation cause serious physical injuries to a person, the injuries may permanently impair and alter the person’s quality of life. This negligence may arise from a defective product or drug that a manufacturer offers to consumers. This negligence may arise from a property owner who fails to maintain his property in a reasonably safe condition. This negligence may arise from negligent operation of a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. Serious physical and emotional injuries may even arise from official misconduct, false arrest or false imprisonment.
The attorneys with Alegria & Associates, PLLC, prosecute civil cases on behalf of plaintiffs for claims arising from wrongful death, serious physical injury cases, false arrest and false imprisonment, and negligent supervision. Our experience has shown that the parties at fault are prepared to invest significant sums of money and time to defend these claims to avoid being held accountable. However, we have the experience, the skills and the resources necessary to secure fair and reasonable compensation from those at fault for serious physical or emotional injuries. Whenever the party at fault refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are well prepared to take your case to a jury to get fair and reasonable compensation for you. We have won jury verdicts and have settled cases resulting in awards and payments of tens of millions of dollars.
Just as the negligence of others may cause physical injuries, poor construction and repair techniques may cause structural or other significant property damages. Damage to a residential or commercial building may be so severe that it interferes with the ability to live or work in the building. Property damages may even diminish the value of your property. Building owners have a right to not have their building damaged or destroyed by activities taking place on neighboring properties. The activities that result in damage most often are a neighbor’s renovation of an existing building, the destruction of an existing building, and/or the construction of a new building. A careless contractor on a neighboring property can cause a wide range of damage to a building, including cracks in walls to the complete collapse of the building.
Depending on the age, value and location of the damaged building, repairs can run into the millions of dollars. Not surprisingly, the party or parties responsible for the damage usually deny any responsibility. Their insurance companies often refuse to compensate building owners for the costs of necessary repairs.
The attorneys associated with our office have developed expertise in the prosecution of civil claims to recover for damages to property owners. They have represented owners of high-rise residential buildings, cooperatives and condominiums who have suffered damages costing thousands and sometimes millions of dollars to repair. When these repairs aren’t covered by a homeowner’s policy, you will need aggressive litigators to help you get fair and reasonable compensation for your damages. We have the experience and skill to get the job done.
It should come as no surprise that the parties at fault for structural or other significant property damages will deny responsibility for long as possible. Moreover, our experience has shown that the person, company or governmental agency at fault would rather invest significant money to defend these claims in order to avoid being held responsible. Therefore, Alegria & Associates accepts only a limited number of clients seeking recovery for structural or significant property damages. This careful selection of these claims ensures that we are able to commit the maximum effort to recover on behalf of our clients. Contact us to discuss whether we can help you recover fair and reasonable compensation for structural or other significant damage to your residential or commercial building.
We are dedicated to winning every Social Security disability case that we accept. At Alegria & Associates, PLLC, we help each client gather the evidence needed to win. We do so by presenting the strongest, most persuasive case possible to the Social Security Administration. The social security laws and regulations are vast and complex. These laws and regulations change often. Yet, we have found that a full knowledge of these laws and regulations combined with prosecutorial litigation experience dramatically increases the likelihood of winning a social security disability claim. We have decades of litigation experience necessary to win these claims. When necessary, we have a network of other skilled attorneys available to help us guarantee we are well-prepared. No one can guarantee that you will your claim. But, we guarantee we will fight for those who are deserving of social security disability benefits.
The Road to Social Security Disability Benefits
How do I start the process to claim Social Security Disability benefits?
The Disability section of the Social Security law is intended to help people who cannot work due to physical or mental disabilities or impairments. Unfortunately, dealing with a governmental agency such as the Social Security Administration can turn into a bureaucratic nightmare. The vast majority of initial claims are denied and the only way to win a claim is by an appeal. If you or someone you know cannot work due to a disability, let our experienced team help you get the benefits you need and deserve. Questions? Go to the FAQ. Here is a preview of the process:
Initial Application
File an application with the Social Security Administration on the internet or at a local social security field office in your neighborhood, complete several required questionnaires and list the doctors, clinics and hospitals treating you for your disability.
Reconsideration of Initial Application
The majority of applications are denied at the initial stage of the social security disability process. In some states, the next step is for you to request a review of your initial application. Typically, that review is done by an employee of your state. The Social Security Administration has entered into a contract with every state to employ state workers to review initial applications and requests for reconsideration. Within 60 days after the initial denial, you must request a Reconsideration by another member of the same office. A majority of applications will likely be denied again at the reconsideration stage of the social security disability process.
Administrative Hearing
If the Social Security Administration denies your claim after your initial application or denies your claim after reconsideration of your claim, you will have 60 days to request a hearing with an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge will hear testimony from you and other witnesses, consider your medical records, and may even request additional records. The Social Security Administration may present expert witnesses to offer testimony that may or may not support your claim. The administrative law judge will hear legal arguments from you or your non-attorney representative or your lawyer. After the hearing, the administrative law judge will issue a written decision for your claim.
Appeals Council Review
If the administrative law judge denies your claim, you will have 60 days to request an appeal to the Social Administration’s Appeals Council office in Falls Church, Virginia. The Appeals Council will review your case to determine whether your hearing was fair. The Appeals Council will consider any legal arguments you, your non-attorney representative or your attorney may offer to show why the administrative judge made a mistake in your claim. The Appeals Council typically makes one of these three decisions. First, if the Appeals Council agrees that your hearing wasn’t fair, they will send your case back to the administrative law judge for a new hearing. Second, if it is clear to the Appeals Council that you are disabled, they may grant you disability benefits without a further hearing. Third, the Appeals Council may deny your claim if it decides your hearing with the administrative law Judge was fair.
Federal Court Review
If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, you will have 60 days to file lawsuit in your local federal district court for review of your case by a federal judge not associated with the Social Security Administration. You may file the federal court lawsuit on your own or your attorney may do so if you are fortunate to have one. The federal judge will consider your claim under the social security law and regulations and other federal laws and rules. The federal judge may grant disability benefits to you, deny your claim, or send your claim back to the administrative law judge for a new hearing.
How We Can Help
Whether you are filing the initial application, requesting reconsideration, requesting a hearing, filing an appeal or filing for review in federal court, our caring and compassionate team is prepared to help you win the benefits you need and deserve. You can rely on our expertise and dedication to take the frustration out of the process and avoid further delays. While some disability claims are simple and easy to prove, other disability claims may be complicated and difficult to prove. In our experience, you are more likely to win your claim when you are represented by a highly trained and qualified attorney. To help you get your claim approved as quickly as possible, we can do the following:
- Determine what benefits you may be entitled to receive
- Help you to complete the paperwork
- Contact your medical providers to collect and review your medical records
- Quickly submit your records to the Social Security Administration through our on-line access privileges
- Help you request an administrative hearing if your initial application is denied
- Help you prepare for the administrative hearing
- Help you prepare your testimony for the administrative hearing
- Accompany you to the administrative hearing and argue your claim on your behalf
- Submit a legal brief on your behalf to the Administrative Law Judge concerning the law and social security regulations that best apply to your claim
- File an appeal with the Social Security Administration’s Appeals Council if the administrative law judge denies your claim
- File a complaint and legal brief in federal court if the Appeals Council denies your claim
- Make sure that you receive all of the benefits you deserve under the law
Our office brings the extensive skills required to evaluate your claim. Based upon our experience, we know which medical records and other evidence are best suited to win your claim. We have the litigation and courtroom experience necessary to pursue your claim successfully on your behalf. We have helped many claimants win their claims for social security disability benefits. We are ready, willing and able to help you to win your claim, too.