When You Can’t Work…We Work For You.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Atlanta Social Security Disability and ERISA Long Term Disability Attorneys.
Benefit from Our Knowledge, Experience and Success!
When you hire our law firm you are represented by professionals with a proven track record and stellar reputation. Our legal team is highly qualified with years of Social Security, Long Term Disability & ERISA experience. Attorney Pamela Atkins leads our team of Georgia Social Security Disability and ERISA attorneys with her exceptional credentials:
- Past President of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) 2003-2004;
- Past Presidents Council NOSSCR 2004-present; Board Of Directors NOSSCR 1996-2006;
- BBA, Magna Cum Laude Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;
- JD, Law Review, George Washington University, Washington, DC;
- Praised by clients, judges, physicians, and other attorneys for her thorough and aggressive advocacy and the handling of difficult cases;
- Selected by advocacy organizations and groups as their disability advocate;
- Retained by other lawyers, private industry, and the federal government for advice on disability claims, disability redesign and regulation;
- Frequent speaker at legal conferences to educate other attorneys on the nuances of handling disability claims;
- Presenter at the annual Advanced Forum for Litigating Disability Insurance Claims conference for plaintiff and defense attorneys and judges, 2000 -2012;
- Sustained success representing clients from initial application through court litigation with thousands of claims handled successfully;
- Lead counsel in many documented civil actions, recovering millions of dollars for her clients;
Most importantly, everyone at Atkins & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law, will work diligently to provide you with the best possible legal representation in your disability case so you can get the help you need. Our Law Firm: ●dedicates itself to representing the disabled, ●represents claimants at all stages of the disability claim process (initial application, reconsideration, hearings, appeals, federal court litigation), ●offers contingency contracts so there is no attorney fee unless you win your case, and ●retains a depth of knowledge about many illnesses/injuries including those documented in our disease database. Even if you have been turned down before, do not give up! Contact us for Georgia Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability ERISA Claims assistance.
Why should you apply for disability?
5 important reasons to apply for disability >>
How will Atkins & Associates help?
We understand your concerns about the disability claims process which can be confusing, frustrating, and sometimes very unfair.
Find out how we can help >>
EXPERIENCE THAT STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND A DENIAL
Get the Disability Benefits You Deserve With Atlanta’s Top Disability Attorney
With years of experience handling Social Security, Long Term Disability & ERISA claims, we know what it takes to win your benefits. Let us guide you through every step of the process.
- Experience with government agencies and insurance companies
- Understands SSA process and insurer tactics
- Aggressive pursuit of favorable outcomes
We are dedicated to helping people with disabilities.
Our law practice is dedicated to working with people who are facing challenges from illness or injuries. Atkins & Associates focuses on disability representation and has a depth of knowledge and experience gained from representing people with a vast variety of illnesses. Our firm works with many advocacy organizations to keep up to date on information relevant to various diseases and Attorney Atkins is a frequent guest speaker to illness based organizations to provide education, training, and advocacy to their members. Attorney Atkins has devoted a substantial amount of time and resources to charitable causes involving assisting persons affected by Brain Injuries, Bipolar Disorder, Cancer, Crohn’s & Colitis, Diabetes, Kidney Disease, Mental Retardation & Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, and severe Spinal Injuries. 
In 2009, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society named Attorney Atkins as one of 77 corporate leaders to its inaugural MS Leadership Class for her work for the welfare and well-being of others.
We get results for our clients.
For almost two decades, Attorney Atkins and her staff have devoted their time to representing severely sick/injured individuals against insurance companies, employers, and the government on denied or terminated disability claims. Attorney Atkins is one of the state’s leading disability litigators, earning a stellar reputation as an experienced Social Security and ERISA practitioner. Attorney Atkins has represented hundreds of disabled persons successfully in administrative appeals and in federal court litigation. Atkins & Associates will work with you toward the goal of getting the disability benefits that you deserve at the earliest possible stage in the process.
Read more About Our Law Firm and our litigation success on representative cases SS Federal Court Litigation>> LTD Litigation>> Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injuries>>
We offer contingency representation to our clients during difficult financial times.
In addition to hourly representation, we offer reasonable contingency agreements for attorney fees for legal services where there is no attorney fee unless you win or collect. Contingent Fees are not permitted by law in all types of cases, but such arrangements are standard in Social Security cases and used often in Long Term Disability ERISA cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.
Protect Your Georgia Disability Claim With Experienced Counsel
Video: Can You Work Part-Time?
Many people receiving disability benefits wonder if they can still work.
Watch this short video to understand your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your answers match the ones below, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is likely to award you benefits.
- Are you gainfully employed? No
- Do you have a severe impairment? Yes
- Will your impairment last 12 months or result in death? Yes
- Does your disability meet one of SSA’s listed impairments? If yes, you qualify. If no …
- Are you able to work? No
Unless you have an obvious long-term disability, the best time to apply for Social Security disability benefits is 6-9 months after you stop working.
The big-picture answer is: analyze what needs to be proven to win benefits, figure out how to prove it, and gather the necessary evidence. Some of the specific tasks are:
- Obtain reports from treating doctors that are consistent with Social Security regulations
- Refer claimants to specialists for additional reports that answer questions raised by Social Security regulations
- Obtain a vocational expert’s evaluation of the claimant’s ability to work
- Ask that a prior application for benefits be reopened
- Seek a waiver of a time limit
- Request subpoenas to insure the presence of crucial witnesses or documents
- Advise the claimant on how best to prepare for and testify at the hearing
- Object to improper evidence or procedures at the hearing
- Cross-examine adverse witnesses
- Present a closing statement
- Submit a written summary of the evidence and argument
- If the claimant wins, make sure the SSA correctly calculates benefits
- If the claimant loses, request review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council
It can take up to two years from request until a hearing is held and a decision issued, but the time varies from state to state.
They are private, held in a small conference room, and last an hour or so. You will be asked about your education, training, work experience, symptoms, limitations, and daily activities.
If you have not filed your appeal within 65 days of the date on your denial letter, you have to start over with a new claim. That new claim may result in the loss of back benefits.
Because the majority of appeals are granted at a hearing, failing to appeal a denial to the hearing level is the number one error … and unfortunately very common.
