West Virginia Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyer

When a serious injury or illness forces you to stop working, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be the difference between stability and crisis. For people across West Virginia, these benefits are often the only way to keep the lights on, pay the mortgage and afford medical care. But actually getting SSD benefits approved can be frustrating and confusing – especially if you try to take on the system by yourself.

At Shawn Taylor, PLLC, we focus our practice on helping disabled people in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio secure the SSDI and SSI benefits they need. From our office in Charleston, we guide you through the process, explain what to expect and fight for the benefits you deserve. 

Shawn Taylor, Your West Virginia SSD Lawyer

Attorney Shawn Taylor has spent more than 30 years working on Social Security Disability cases. His background includes service as a municipal judge and assistant attorney general before devoting his practice to representing disability claimants. 

Today, his work is dedicated to people who can’t work because of serious medical conditions. He has personally helped thousands of claimants obtain disability benefits across West Virginia and the surrounding region.

What sets our firm apart for West Virginians:

• A practice built around SSD and SSI – This is not a general practice that occasionally takes disability cases; our focus is Social Security law.

• Straight talk and realistic expectations – Shawn is known for being honest about your chances and what evidence your claim needs, not for making promises he can’t keep.

• Lawyer-level attention – When you have questions about your case, you get guidance from your SSD lawyer, not just a staff member.

• No fee unless we win – You owe no attorney’s fee unless we recover disability benefits for you, and fees are generally paid from past-due benefits under federal rules.

Common Injuries And Conditions In West Virginia SSD Claims

SSDI is a federal program, but the conditions that keep West Virginians from working are often tied to the realities of life here: hard physical labor, dangerous work environments and limited access to specialized medical care.

You may qualify for SSDI if a medical condition prevents you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months. Some of the conditions we frequently see in West Virginia disability claims include: 

• Serious back and joint injuries – Spinal problems, chronic pain, degenerative disc disease and joint damage that limit lifting, standing or walking.

• Mental health conditions – Depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses that make it difficult to maintain regular employment. 

• Heart and lung disease – Coronary artery disease, heart failure, COPD and other respiratory conditions that severely limit physical activity.

• Neurological disorders – Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or severe migraines that interfere with concentration, coordination and daily functioning. 

• Cancer and effects of treatment – Chemotherapy, radiation and related complications that may leave you too fatigued or ill to work. 

You don’t need to know whether your diagnosis fits Social Security’s technical definition of “disability” – that’s our job. We help you and your doctors gather the medical evidence needed to show how your condition affects your ability to work.

What To Do If Your West Virginia SSD Claim Is Denied

It’s common – and incredibly discouraging – to receive a denial letter after your first SSDI application. The Social Security Administration denies most initial claims, even when people are truly unable to work. 

If you live in West Virginia and your claim was denied, you still have options. The SSD appeals process may involve:

• Requesting reconsideration of the initial denial

• A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

• Review by the Appeals Council

• Possible review in federal district court 

Our firm develops a tailored strategy for each appeal. We:

• Review your denial to understand exactly what Social Security found lacking

• Work with your medical providers to strengthen the documentation in your file

• Prepare you for hearings so you know what questions to expect and how to explain your limitations

• Advocate for you at the ALJ level and beyond, where appropriate

Appeal deadlines are short. If you received a denial letter, don’t wait to get legal advice.

Helping Clients Throughout West Virginia

Although our office is located in Charleston, West Virginia, we represent disability claimants throughout the state – from the Ohio River to the Eastern Panhandle. 

We regularly work with clients in communities such as:

• Charleston and Kanawha County

• Huntington and the surrounding Tri-State area

• Beckley and other parts of southern West Virginia

• Parkersburg, Wheeling and the Ohio Valley

• Morgantown, Clarksburg and north-central West Virginia

Because SSD is a federal program, Shawn can represent you no matter where you live in West Virginia. Most of our work with clients is done by phone, email or video, and many hearings can now be held virtually through platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. That means you often don’t have to travel to our office or to a courthouse to pursue your claim. Shawn Taylor, PLLC+2Shawn Taylor, PLLC+2

Virtual And In-Person Support For Your SSDI Claim

We understand that disability claims move slowly and that our clients are dealing with serious health problems while trying to navigate a complicated system. To make things easier, we offer:

• Free initial case evaluations so you can understand your options before committing

• Flexible communication – phone calls, secure email and virtual meetings

• Clear guidance on paperwork and deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks

• Representation at hearings so you don’t have to face a judge alone

Our goal is to shoulder as much of the legal burden as possible, so you can focus on your health and family.

Talk With A West Virginia Social Security Disability Lawyer

If you live anywhere in West Virginia and can’t work because of a medical or mental health condition, you don’t have to take on Social Security by yourself.

📞 Call Shawn Taylor, PLLC, at 855-969-4648 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.

We’re here to help you pursue the SSDI or SSI benefits you need – with honest advice, experienced representation and no attorney’s fee unless we win your case.