When a Slam-Dunk Case Isn’t Enough: Why Treating Doctor Support and Representation Matter

One of the most meaningful parts of my job is speaking with people battling serious illness who are doing everything they can to keep working and supporting their families. I’m constantly inspired by their strength. Many don’t reach out until they’ve pushed themselves to the breaking point—until their bodies, families, or employers tell them they simply can’t keep going.

The First Case: A True Fighter

Last week, I spoke with a woman battling advanced cancer. Despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, she continued working for over a year—until her employer finally let her go. She had been missing time due to treatment and understandably struggling with the side effects. When we spoke, I immediately thought, “This is a slam-dunk case.”

But even in cases like this, we don’t take anything for granted. I explained the importance of getting clear, supportive opinions from her treating doctors. Medical records alone aren’t always enough—Social Security shouldn’t be left to interpret them on their own. She understood completely. We quickly secured a detailed report from her oncologist confirming that her condition made full-time work impossible. With that, I’m confident we’ll get her the benefits she deserves.

The Second Case: A Missed Opportunity

A day later, I spoke with another woman. She had already been through her hearing—with a different representative—and was denied. On paper, her medical history was overwhelming. She was blind in one eye and had reduced vision in the other. She had suffered multiple strokes, had limited use of one arm, dragged one foot, and had heart failure. She was morbidly obese and in obvious physical decline. If ever there were another “slam-dunk” case, this was it.

Yet, she was denied.

Why? Because her representative never obtained a written opinion from her doctors explaining how her symptoms impacted her ability to work. Without that critical piece, the judge—a legal expert but not a medical one—was left to make medical judgments without adequate guidance. The judge decided she could do sedentary work and cited jobs like tube operator and addresser—positions that, for all intents and purposes, no longer exist in today’s economy.

Let me be clear: those are actual jobs that Social Security continues to reference, despite being relics of a pre-digital era. I worked as a tube operator in the 1970s. The technology was outdated even then.

What This Teaches Us

This case should have been won. If we had been involved earlier, we would have secured medical opinions, challenged unrealistic job listings, and ensured her record reflected the true extent of her limitations. Unfortunately, after a hearing, the path to overturning a denial is harder—sometimes impossible—especially if her doctors now refuse to weigh in.

Why We Ask for More Than Just Records

When we insist on doctor statements, it’s not because we don’t believe you or your story. It’s because we want to protect your case. Judges and Social Security consultants may only see a sliver of your reality—and often misinterpret it. A treating doctor’s opinion closes that gap and brings clarity to how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work.

Key Takeaways

1. Treating Doctor Support Is Crucial

Even the strongest case needs a clear statement from your doctor about how your condition affects your ability to function. Don’t rely solely on medical records.

2. Get Strong Representation Early

The earlier you engage experienced representation, the better your odds. Once a case is denied at hearing, it becomes much more difficult to reverse the damage.

3. Experience Matters

At Binder & Binder®, we’ve handled thousands of disability cases, from the straightforward to the deeply complex. We know how to navigate the system and fight for the benefits you’ve earned.

Don’t leave your case to chance.

If you or a loved one is struggling to work due to illness or injury, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help make sure your “slam-dunk” case actually gets across the finish line.