(816) 781-4836Get to Know Roger M. Driskill
We sat down with Roger M. Driskill to learn more about what he does and why he is in the business of helping people with various Social Security Administration and disability issues. Roger is an attorney who devotes his law practice to the representation of persons who cannot work and need help in obtaining the benefits they deserve. Here’s what he had to say.
Tell us how you first became interested in practicing (social security/disability) law.
Until 1992, I engaged in a general litigation practice. It was time to focus on one area of the law and develop thorough knowledge and skills. I was always aware of the SSA disability process and had occasionally represented persons successfully making disability claims.
Disability claim representation was suited for my experience. Helping people that are in a difficult life situation is a challenge I embrace. People with bad health and no income are desperate and anxious. Representing people so they can have some stability and peace is satisfying.
What are some of the main reasons people need (social security/disability) legal help in the first place?
The Social Security Administration has over seventy million files – and not enough trained staff to promptly and adequately process claims.
A person who is disabled with no knowledge of SSA disability rules cannot present the claim fully developed. Agency staff does not have the opportunity or time to help an applicant. An authority on SSA disability claim and the procedure can improve the chance to have a disability claim approved.
If anyone has one of these issues, when should they contact an attorney?
If a person cannot work because of bad health and is not likely to be able to work soon, return to work — it costs nothing to make a call to a lawyer. Once questions are answered, a decision can be made whether to make a disability application and if legal counsel will be helpful. Also, many people may have other benefits to which they are unaware. An experienced attorney can guide you in pursuing other potential benefits.
Legal fees are contingent – payable only if benefits are awarded.
Once someone contacts you, what are the next steps? What does the process look like?
An application is filed, or denial is appealed. A person can have a hearing with an SSA judge. SSA judges are knowledgeable and fair – but it is not their job to represent a claimant – only determine if they qualify for disability benefits. An experienced attorney in the SSA disability field can fully develop and present a claim to the judge.
What general advice do you have for someone who thinks they might need legal help with a (social security/disability) issue?
It costs nothing to make a phone call and ask.
ABOUT Roger M. Driskill
Roger M. Driskill is an attorney at BurnettDriskill Attorneys who devotes his law practice to disability claim representation. He has a long history of success in representing persons with disabling health and who cannot maintain full-time employment.
Roger graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law. His undergraduate degree is in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University.
He is married, has two grown daughters, and two splendid grandchildren. He reads a lot – with an emphasis in history. However, he also reads novels he avoided in college. Roger and his wife are active in their congregation.