If you are looking for an attorney to represent you in a case related to sleep apnea, you may find one by seeking recommendations from friends, colleagues, family members, or neighbors. In addition, every state and local bar association has directories of their members, often listed by speciality; you may call them for suggestions. Check the local telephone book for their numbers. Likewise, the National Lawyers Guild also has a referral panel; a chapter may be listed in your phone book. You can also find an attorney by calling those listed in the business pages of the local phone book under the subject area "lawyers" or "attorneys." The Internet may also be a source of referrals.
If you need an attorney specifically for a disability claim, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (800/431-2804 or www.nosscr.org) may also refer you to someone in your area. The ASAA also provides a packet on disability claims related to sleep apnea. However, before you expend any resources, keep in mind that some government agencies may provide you with the appropriate information and channels to resolve a problem. Two examples of government websites with information on employment and disability issues are those of the Department of Justice (www.usdoj.gov) and of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (www.eeoc.gov).
Once you determine that you need an attorney--whether for a disability case, employment problems, or other issue--your attorney should have some experience in the area. It is generally advisable to speak with at least a few lawyers before deciding whose services to retain; asking the following questions of them may help you make an educated choice:
- how long have you been practicing?
- what experience do you have in this area?
- how many similar cases have you taken in this area?
- how much do you know about sleep apnea?
- have you attended any relevant seminars or courses?
- what do you charge, if anything, for an initial consultation?
- do you accept cases on a contingency basis or only on a fee basis?
- what do you estimate your fees for your services and expenses will be?
- how long do you estimate it will take to resolve this issue?
- do you have malpractice insurance?
You may also want to call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the attorneys you are considering. The lawyers' associations and some states also keep a record of attorneys against whom complaints have been lodged or legal action has been taken, but these vary by state.
If you become unhappy with your attorney, you are not bound to have that person represent you for the duration of the claim. You may simply inform the lawyer that you wish to retain other legal counsel. However, you should expect to pay for the services rendered up to that point and for the time that it will take for the succeeding attorney to become familiar with your case. Generally, your file belongs to you.
The American Sleep Apnea Association does not recommend any specific attorney or firm; as a non-profit organization, it does not endorse any company or its products.
