What Pilzer Klein, PC Does for Social Security Cases in South Carolina

Pilzer Klein, PC is a law firm that represents clients in Social Security disability cases

Pilzer Klein, PC is a South Carolina-based firm that handles Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. The firm represents people who have been denied benefits or who need help navigating the appeals process. They work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay them only if you win your case — the fee comes from your back pay award, capped by federal law at 25 percent or $7,200, whichever is less.

The firm's practice focuses on the administrative and judicial stages of Social Security appeals. If you have received a denial letter from the Social Security Administration and want to challenge that decision, a representative from Pilzer Klein can review your case, gather medical evidence, and present arguments on your behalf at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Key Takeaways

• Pilzer Klein, PC represents clients in Social Security disability appeals and works on contingency, so you pay attorney fees only if you win.
• The firm handles cases at the reconsideration and hearing stages of the Social Security appeals process.
• Federal law caps attorney fees at 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is lower.
• You can contact the firm to discuss your case and learn whether they take cases like yours.

How the contingency fee arrangement works

When you hire Pilzer Klein on contingency, you do not pay upfront legal fees. Instead, if the firm wins your case and you receive a back pay award (the money owed to you from the date you became disabled), the firm's fee is deducted from that award before you receive your portion.

Federal law sets the maximum attorney fee at either 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever amount is smaller. This cap protects you from excessive legal costs. The firm may also recover costs for things like medical records requests or expert reports, which are separate from the attorney fee and are also deducted from your back pay.

What stages of the appeals process Pilzer Klein handles

Social Security appeals move through several stages. After an initial denial, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case back to the Social Security Administration for another review. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Pilzer Klein represents clients at the reconsideration and hearing stages. At a hearing, the judge reviews your medical evidence, your work history, and your testimony about how your condition limits your ability to work. The firm prepares you for the hearing, organizes your medical records, and may present expert testimony or vocational evidence to support your case.

What to expect when you contact the firm

When you reach out to Pilzer Klein, you will typically speak with someone who can answer basic questions about your case and explain how the firm works. They will ask about your denial letter, your medical conditions, and your work history. This initial conversation helps them decide whether your case is one they can take.

If the firm agrees to represent you, they will request your Social Security file from the Administration and begin reviewing the evidence. They will also ask you to provide any new medical records or treatment information that has developed since your denial. Throughout the process, you remain in contact with the firm as your case moves forward.

When hiring a representative makes sense

Many people win Social Security appeals without a lawyer, but representation can improve your chances, especially at the hearing stage. A representative who knows how judges evaluate medical evidence and how to present a strong case can be valuable if your initial applications were denied or if your medical situation is complex.

You might consider contacting Pilzer Klein if you have been denied once or twice, if you have significant medical evidence supporting your claim, or if you are uncertain about how to organize your case for a hearing. The firm can tell you whether they think your case has a reasonable chance of success.

How to reach Pilzer Klein, PC

To learn more about the firm's services or to discuss your case, you can contact Pilzer Klein directly. They can answer questions about their experience with cases like yours, explain their fee structure, and tell you what information you should have ready when you call.

Keep in mind that contacting the firm does not commit you to hiring them, and they may decline to take your case if they believe the chances of winning are too low. It is reasonable to speak with more than one firm before deciding who to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot afford a lawyer for my Social Security case?

Pilzer Klein works on contingency, so you do not pay unless you win. If the firm declines your case, you can represent yourself at a hearing, though many people find it helpful to have someone familiar with Social Security law present their evidence to the judge.

How long does a Social Security appeal take?

Timing varies. Reconsideration can take several months. A hearing before a judge typically takes longer — often a year or more from the time you request it until the hearing date, depending on the judge's schedule and how busy the local office is.

What happens if Pilzer Klein takes my case and we lose?

You pay no attorney fee if you lose, because the contingency agreement means the firm is paid only from a back pay award. You may still owe costs for records or reports, depending on your fee agreement with the firm.

Can I switch lawyers if I already have representation?

Yes. You can change representatives at any stage of your case. You will need to notify Social Security in writing and have both your old and new representatives sign a form transferring the case.