Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at the broader context of the bench. The 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 27% to 56% on their records since 2016. This variance highlights why thorough case preparation is essential regardless of your assigned judge. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Berigan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Berigan's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since August 2016, Patrick Berigan has issued 2,062 decisions. His approval rate showed fluctuation over this period, starting at 60% in 2016 and moving through a range of 50% to 59% in subsequent years. The data indicates a steady pattern of activity throughout his time on record at the Milwaukee office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Berigan's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Milwaukee hearing office
Patrick Berigan's most recent office on record is the Milwaukee hearing office, which serves you in Wisconsin. This office maintains a bench of 13 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 27% to 56%. This diversity across the bench is why focusing on the strength of your own medical evidence remains the most critical part of your strategy.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Patrick Berigan's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 sits toward the higher end of the range for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee, where rates vary from 27% to 56%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively for this specific bench.
Judge Berigan's approval rate has fluctuated between 50% and 60% across his 2,062 decisions on record since August 2016. While these yearly shifts occur, the overall pattern remains consistent. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. Having an attorney by your side can help you navigate these questions and present your case clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Judge Berigan's 55% rate on record since 2016 is one piece of information, but the strength of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your case. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
