Michigan Unemployment Hearings-Why Use Legal Counsel?

Why should you seek legal counsel at a Michigan Unemployment administrative hearing? Many times decisions made by the Michigan unemployment agency at the early stages of the claim process (e.g. determination/redetermination) are made incorrectly. Claimant’s wrongfully believe because they are denied unemployment benefits at the claim process stage their chances of winning on appeal are limited so they give up. In addition, the state of Michigan is issuing erroneous decisions in far greater numbers than ever before indicating that employees have committed fraud or misrepresentation. Fraud and misrepresentation cases can carry serious consequences if it is found that fraud or misrepresentation exists, including large penalties, interest, and possibly even leading to becoming a criminal matter.

Lawyer for Unemployment Hearing

The Seidell Law firm has a proven history of successfully representing employers and employees at Michigan unemployment hearings since 1998, including hearings involving misrepresentation and fraud, with over 500 hearings conducted.* (*Success of any case is directly related to all the facts and circumstances). Reasons why employees (claimants) should seek legal counsel for Michigan unemployment hearings, especially those involving fraud or misrepresentation, include:

  • Employees don’t understand the law or burden of proof requirements
  • Employees can’t anticipate issues that will come up
  • Employees aren’t well versed in the process, such as the presentation of relevant evidence, offering of testimony, and cross examining of witnesses

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Social Security Disability Appeal Representation-Michigan

Have you been denied social security disability benefits?

According to the Social Security Administration, some of the top reasons individuals are denied social security disability benefits upon application are as follows:

  • You have not had the disability long enough or it isn’t severe enough
  • Refusal to cooperate with Social Security, such as getting an independent medical exam
  • You don’t have up to date medical records or you have insufficient medical documentation
  • You don’t follow through with the appeal process after being denied at the application level
  • Even though you might have a physical or mental impairment, Social Security claims you can still work in your usual type of work or another type of work
  • The impairment resulted from an alcohol/drug addiction or conviction which may make you ineligible
  • You failed to follow a prescribed treatment
  • You returned to substantial work before the disability can be established

Social Security Disability statistics show that only 30-40% of individuals are successful at getting social security disability at the application phase. The approval rate increases approximately an additional 10% on claims that were denied but were submitted for reconsideration. However, social security disability claims approval (those denied after application or reconsideration of a denial) jumps dramatically at the administrative hearing level where the success rate, depending on the jurisdiction you are in, climbs to 50-60% overall. Our firm represents individuals in Michigan who have been denied social security benefits and have a pending hearing or are waiting for a hearing date to be provided before an administrative law judge. We only get paid if we WIN your social security disability claim appeal..