LaFata, Richard
Charleston, SC · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Hearing Approval Rate
71.4%
Above the national average of 48.7%
Disability judges hear appeals after an initial claim is denied. Judge LaFata approves 71.4% of cases — knowing your judge’s track record helps you and your representative prepare. How to prepare for your hearing →
How Judge LaFata Decides Cases
Nat'l avg: 48.7%
Nat'l avg: 35.1%
Nat'l avg: 16.2%
Know Your Numbers
Judge LaFata approved 71.4% of dispositions. That’s 22.7 percentage points above the national average of 48.7%. LaFata decided 145 cases out of 168 total dispositions. Under SSA’s methodology (excluding dismissals), the approval rate is 82.8%. Knowing your judge’s track record can help you prepare for your hearing.
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Get Your Free GuideDetailed Case Counts— Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Total Cases
168
Approved
120
Denied
25
Hearing Office
Charleston (SC)
7.0 months wait · 1,241 pending
Whether your judge's approval rate is high or low, the strongest factor in your outcome is the quality of your medical evidence and whether you have representation. How judge approval rates vary nationally →
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Appearing before Judge LaFata?
Claimants with representation are approved at nearly 3× the rate. A free case evaluation takes less than two minutes — and it could change the outcome of your claim.
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