Welcome to H2HLaw.com!

Hazen, Berger, Letts & Hamilton (aka "H2H Law") is a professional law firm specializing in Social Security, Veteran's Benefits, Medicare, and AMA Guides. Collectively, H2H Law has over 80 years of combined experience practicing law. That means the H2H team of attorneys know how to fight for you and win. 

Based out of Sacramento, California, H2H Law can represent you nationwide, regardless of the state you live in. Get started right now by selecting an area of law from the tabs above.

Or, you can give us a call toll free at 1-800-797-7815.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE DO YOU PRACTICE?

H2H Law has offices throughout California, but we're able to cater to Social Security clients nationwide because Social Security falls under Federal Law.

DO WE HAVE TO MEET IN PERSON?

No. Some clients wish to come to one of our offices to meet with us. Others prefer to meet over the telephone and exchange information. We offer various form of communication; ultimately, the choice is yours.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DISABLED?

The Social Security Administration considers a person disabled due to either mental or physical problems that prevent them from holding a job for 12 months or longer or results in death. The significance is not whether or not you are able to perform your duties in your old job or find another job; but if you are capable of doing any job in the economy with your skills, age, work experience and medical condition.

In order to be considered disabled for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) you need to meet the following:

1. Are you are unable to perform substantial work?

2. Do you have a severe physical and/or mental impairment?

3. Does your impairment meet or equal the listings sited in 20CFR Part 404, Subpart P Appendix 1?

4. Can you work at any of the jobs you have previously worked at in the last 15 years?

5. Are you able to perform other work that exist in the national economy considering your age, education and work experience?

 COMMON DISABILITY CONDITIONS

There are various illnesses, diseases and injuries which can result in disability.

EXAMPLES OF COMMON DISABILITY CONDITIONS:

• Arthritis (Severe)

• Back Injury (Severe)

• Birth Defects

• Brain Injury

• Cardiovascular Disease or Injury

• Diabetes (Severe)

• Eye Disease or Injury

• Fibromyalgia

• Heart Disease

• Immune System Disorders

• Kidney Disease or Malfunction

• Liver Disease (Severe)

• Lung Disease or Injury

• Mental Disorders

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Neoplastic Diseases-Malignant

• Neurological Disease or Injury

• Skin Disorders

• Spinal Cord Injury

WHAT IS SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal and state government program designed to provide monetary and health benefits to those persons who are disabled with low income and few resources. All wages earned are considered when determining SSI eligibility. If you are married, part of your spouse’s income and resources will be considered when determining eligibility for SSI. If you are under 18 years of age your parent’s income will be considered in determining SSI eligibility. You can also receive SSI if you are older than 65, blind and/or disabled. The disability definition for SSI is the same as Social Security Disability.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WAS DENIED BENEFITS?

If you have been denied benefits you need to request a Reconsideration. Many applicants are initially denied benefits with a national average of about 60 percent being denied benefits on their first application. If you have applied for benefits and have been denied you will need to file for a Reconsideration within 60 days of your denial notice. You will probably not be approved when you apply for Reconsideration. Many attorneys view Reconsideration as a small hurdle to pass in order to be granted a Hearing. It is imperative to request a Hearing within 60 days of your Reconsideration denial.

WHAT IS A HEARING?

The Hearing is the most crucial step in the appeal process. It is in a Hearing that you will be able to provide testimony which is given under oath. An administrative law judge will preside. Medical records will be accepted as evidence at the Hearing. You or your attorney can present evidence of your disabilities including witnesses, records or experts. You or your attorney will have the opportunity to cross-examine experts who are sometimes asked to testify. You or your attorney will have the right to then make a closing argument as to why you are entitled to benefits under the social security regulations.

DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?

Although you do not need an attorney for any stage of the process, statistics have shown people represented by an attorney are more successful. When deciding whether you should hire an attorney, consider what the attorney can do for your case.

WHAT IS THE COST OF AN ATTORNEY?

H2H collects fees on a contingency basis. You pay when we are successful in obtaining your benefits. For Social Security Disability cases, we limit our fees to 25% of past due benefits. All fees must first be approved through the Social Security Administration (SSA). In most cases, the SSA will withhold 25% of past due benefits to pay to the attorney for attorney fees in disability cases. This is a one time fee and nothing will be withheld from your monthly checks. In cases without back dated benefits, your attorney will work with you to determine a fair amount. All attorney fees are subject to approval by the SSA.

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT AN ATTORNEY?

You should contact your attorney as soon as possible. As soon as you receive a denial at any stage in the process you should contact an attorney who will be able to assist you in receiving a favorable award. The most important stage is the Hearing stage. The Hearing requires a lot of preparation therefore the sooner your attorney can start preparing your case the better your chances will be in successfully obtaining benefits.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL MY ATTORNEY NEED?

Your attorney will need to analyze the case and gather evidence. At your first appointment with your attorney, be sure to bring all correspondence with the Social Security Administration. Please also bring all applications and forms you have filled out. In addition, please present to the attorney:

• Names of all medications, dosage for each medication and prescribing doctor for each medication

• Names and addresses of all doctors you have seen

• Approximate dates of doctor visits as well as how often you have seen the doctor

• Names and addresses of all hospitals where you were treated

• The names, addresses and dates for each of your employers over the last 15 years

• Brief descriptions for each of your job duties

Veterans Benefits

H2H Law values the commitment and dedication of each and every member of the armed forces. Some of our attorneys have even served themselves. They know what it means to serve. That's why we're committed to getting you the benefits you're entitled to because you've given so much to help protect and preserve the freedoms we have in our great country.

Let's get started!

Medicare & MSAs

AMA Guides Home

With the passage of SB899 in April 2004, California adopted the AMA Guides for determining an injured worker's level of impairment and resulting permanent disability.  In addition, a new rating schedule was adopted on January 1, 2005.  This rating schedule takes the impairment levels under the AMA Guides and converts them to a level of disability after adjustment for age, occupation and future earning capacity (FEC).

While at first blush the rating system would appear to closely resemble the old system, we are now dealing with impairment under the AMA Guides.  Unfortunately, most doctors are not properly applying the AMA Guides when determining a person's level of impairment.  Statistics have shown that 80-90% of Agreed Medical Examiner (AME) and Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) reports are done incorrectly.  Of those done improperly, the majority provide an impairment greater than that provided under the AMA Guides. 

H2H Law can help you obtain proper ratings.  In addition to providing the rating, an analysis of the medical report will be done.  We will advise as to whether the doctor has appropriately applied the AMA Guides, and if the doctor has not, we will provide you with recommendations on how to obtain the corrections.