I graduated from New Mexico School of Law in 1978 and began a career of service to the injured and disabled. My law practice is limited to Social Security disability claims, private disability insurance claims, workers’ compensation claims, and personal injury cases. Over the past 30+ years, I have become particularly skilled in assessing the impact of workers’ compensation claims and personal injury claims on a Social Security disability case. I will evaluate your Social Security disability claim from a big-picture perspective and take care of the legal details, so that you can focus on regaining your health and taking care of your family. Because I am a sole practitioner, your case will always get my personal attention.

I am a member of the National Organization of Social Security Disability Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). I served as the President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association from 1996-1997, and have served on its Board of Directors since 1990. I speak Spanish.

If your claim for Social Security disability benefits has been denied, and you would like the counsel of a knowledgeable, experienced Albuquerque disability lawyer, please submit the Free Claim Evaluation form on this page, or call or email me directly. If you live in or near Albuquerque, and you cannot travel to meet me, I will travel to meet with you in your home.

I wish you well.

Donald D. Vigil

Albuquerque disability lawyer

Most clients prefer … and most lawyers offer … a “contingent fee,” a fee paid only if they win. The usual fee is 25% (one-quarter) of back benefits up to a maximum amount set by SSA, which is currently $6,000. The fee comes from those benefits that build up by the time you are found disabled and benefits are paid. No fee comes out of current monthly benefits.

Although the usual fee will not normally exceed the maximum fee of $6,000, if your lawyer has to appeal after the first administrative law judge hearing, your contract might allow for a fee greater than $6,000. Even in this circumstance, though, your fee is likely to not be greater than 25% of back benefits.

In addition to the fee, many attorneys expect you to pay the expense of gathering medical records, obtaining medical opinion letters, etc.

100 Fourteenth St. S.W.

Albuquerque, NM 87102-2822

888-896-2033

Social Security regulations make it easier to be found disabled as you get older. It becomes easier for a few people at age 45 (those unable to read English), for more people at age 50, for most people at age 55, and even more people at age 60. If you’re over age 55 and you cannot do any job you have done in the past 15 years, you should definitely apply. If you’re over age 50 and have a severe impairment that keeps you from doing all but the easiest jobs, you ought to apply.

But even if you’re a younger person, you don’t have to be bedridden in order to be found disabled. If you’re under age 45 or 50 and you cannot do your past jobs and you cannot work full time at any regular job, that ought to be enough.

Nevertheless, being unable to work and being found “disabled” by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are two different things. It is often difficult to convince SSA that someone is “disabled” even when he or she genuinely cannot work. But it is not impossible.

If you really cannot work, apply for disability benefits from SSA. And keep appealing denials at least through the hearing before an administrative law judge. If you lose at a hearing, sometimes a lawyer with experience handling disability cases can figure out a way to win your case by pursuing the next appeal – to the Appeals Council.