The Role Of Vocational Experts
It is very common for an administrative law judge (ALJ) in a Social Security Disability (SSD) hearing to solicit the testimony of a vocational expert (VE) in order to answer questions that your testimony has failed to answer. Since it is not clear how a VE will testify, it is important that you are represented by a skilled Lakeland disability lawyer who will be able to properly cross-examine the VE if he or she testifies against you.
What Does A Vocational Expert Do?
A VE is a vocational rehabilitation expert whose job is to advise the ALJ regarding your ability to perform various types of work activity. More specifically, the VE will gauge your ability to do jobs that you have performed over the last 15 years as well as your capability to work any other jobs that are available. The VE’s opinion is based on a review of your records prior to the hearing, as well as testimony provided by you and your lay witnesses and observation of your behavior throughout the hearing. As such, a VE is usually the last witness to testify at an SSD hearing. If the VE has not been present to hear pertinent testimony, the ALJ will provide a brief summary of the necessary testimony for the VE on the record.
How A Lawyer Can Help You
Your qualified Lakeland disability lawyer will provide you with the legal assistance you will need during your disability hearing, especially when the testimony of a VE has been requested by an ALJ. Your lawyer can ensure that the VE remains impartial and objective and that his or her expertise and professional qualifications are legitimate. Your lawyer will further question the VE with regard to pertinent matters within his or her area of expertise and object to the VE’s testimony, if necessary.
Contact A Lawyer For A Free Case Evaluation
Thus, if your case has advanced to the hearing stage before an ALJ, it is in your best interest to hire a qualified disability lawyer. For a free consultation with an expert Lakeland disability lawyer from the law firm of , simply fill out the form on this page or call 800-200-7546.
