Thomas Carter O'Brien
O'Brien & Feiler (formerly Feiler & Associates)Thomas C. O'Brien has represented hundreds and hundreds of Georgia Claimants before Social Security, and actively litigates on behalf of Claimants and medical providers throughout the State of Georgia. Thomas earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Georgia State University.
- University System of Georgia - Georgia State University
- J.D. | Law
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- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- MBA | Finance
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- Honors: Omicron Delta Epsilon - International Honor Society in Economics Financial Management Association International - Inductee, National Honor Society
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- University of Notre Dame
- B.B.A. | Finance & Business Economics
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- President/Attorney-at-Law
- O'Brien & Feiler (formerly Feiler & Associates)
- - Current
- Disability, Veterans, and Health Reimbursement Law
- Insuring Georgia’s Uninsured Population with the Tools Available Today
- Georgia HFMA Scroll, Georgia HFMA, 2010
- Introduction to Social Security Cases, Legal Aid CLE, Gwinnett County Courthouse
- Gwinnett Pro Bono Project / Atlanta Legal Aid CLE
- As the population ages and disability awareness rises, social security touches our cases every day. How does someone qualify? What is the process? How are SSI, SSDI & SSRI different? How do things like alimony, child support, or working affect them? Join Social Security Attorney Thomas O’Brien for a no-experience needed intro.
- AV rating
- Martindale
- AV Rated - Preeminent in the field of Social Security Disability.
- Superb Rated Attorney
- Avvo.com
- National Organization for Social Security Claimant's Representatives
- Supporting Member
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- Georgia
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- VA Accredited Attorney
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- 11th Circuit
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- Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
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- Free Consultation
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Contingent Fees
Legal fees are limited and approved by the government in each case, and are payable out of back benefits only upon favorable resolution of a client's case.
- Social Security Disability
- Military Law
- Veteran's Benefits
- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- Q. The Appeals Council started reviewing the decision issued by the ALj. Why are they reviewing the ALJ decision ?
- A: The Appeals Council can either review an ALJ decision because you requested the review, or they can review decisions of their own volition. In their review, the most common outcomes are to either agree with the ALJ decision, or they can remand the decision back to the ALJ for them to fix any deficiencies in the decision. This can mean a second hearing.
- Q. My ALJ disability claim was denied and my lawyer doesn't file beyond that level. Should I give up, continue on with
- A: That's not an easy question to answer without more details. Further appeals focus more on the application of the law to your case as opposed to "not seeing the facts your way". As such, the quality of the written decision and the way the judge conducted the proceedings are of significance. For this reason, it is tough to give you an answer, but I will say that the next level of appeal (to the Appeals Council) takes just under a year on average, and you have about an 11% chance of securing a remand (where the case is pushed back to the ALJ for corrective proceedings). If the AC denies you, you can then appeal to Circuit Court. I hope that this is at least somewhat helpful, ... Read More
- Q. I was told because I am disabled that I don't have to pay child support is this true
- A: Not necessarily, and I would recommend you speak with an attorney local to you. SSI funds may generally not be garnished to satisfy child support obligations, but Disability funds may not be afforded these protections. Both programs require proof of disability. Additionally, an individual under a child support order would be well advised to seek modification of the child support order should they become provably disabled. Simply stopping payments after an award of benefits is not advisable. The particulars of child support law vary from state to state, but disability / SSI is federal, and as such more consistent.
This answer does not constitute legal advice and does not create attorney/client ... Read More
- Website
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Why Hire a Disability/SSI Attorney?
A quick video citing some of the reasons that a Claimant may wish to enlist the aid of an experienced, local disability attorney.
While You Wait for Disability
Disability Attorney Thomas O'Brien shares information about what to do and what to avoid during the long wait that occurs while a disability case is navigating the appeals process.
Disability Back Pay and the Alleged Onset Date
The latest OBF TV presentation which discusses the differences in how back pay is calculated between SSI and SSDI, and the interactions between Alleged Onset Date, File Date, and Date Last Insured.
What to Expect at your Disability Hearing
This is a presentation by Georgia Disability Attorney Thomas O'Brien regarding several common issues and situations that are encountered at Social Security Disability / SSI ALJ hearings.