Pro tip: I used to think direct exam prep was a waste of time for disability hearings

For years I just reviewed my client's medical records the night before and winged the direct exam, thinking it saved hours. Then a judge in San Diego tore apart my client's testimony over a 3 month gap in treatment records I hadn't prepped for. Has anyone else changed their prep style after a tough hearing?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileyb619d ago

Winging the direct the night before, that's brutal. I had a similar thing happen with a different kind of hearing, it was like the guy just had it out for me over a single missing signature. Now I basically prep like I'm going to court the next day for everything.

rosebarnes9d ago

@rileyb61 actually prep is short for preparation not prepare.

joseph_ellis858d ago

My buddy Mike had a zoning board hearing where the chair went after him for a parking lot layout that was off by like 2 feet. He showed up with nothing but a printed email and got chewed out for 20 minutes. @rileyb61 nailed it, you gotta prep like it's a full trial or they'll eat you alive.