While a disability lawyer is not required, your chances of securing disability benefits increases significantly if you are represented by an experienced disability lawyer. The sooner you retain an attorney, the more time the attorney will have to obtain the medical and vocational evidence to prepare your claim. An attorney should help you avoid making statements at interviews and in writing that can be misconstrued, and how to address evidence that may appear to hurt your claim for disability benefits, such as reports from doctors paid by insurance companies and the Social Security Administration (SSA).