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Mirror, Mirror On The Wall: Stigma And Denial In Social Security Disability Hearings, Chris E. Pashler

Chris E Pashler

Commentators have recently suggested that the Social Security Administration (SSA) abandon its non-adversarial model of adjudication utilized in the disability hearings process in favor of an adversarial system, where the United States would be represented by an attorney. This Article will argue that such measures are not necessary to provide the claimant with a full and fair hearing, and will not lead to more consistent or accurate outcomes. Rather, this Article will argue that adoption of an adversarial model of adjudication will radically transform the nature of the disability adjudication process. This potential shift in the character of the hearings …