Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. Patrick R. Digby's lifetime approval rate of 32% falls within the 32% to 76% range observed among all judges at the Florence office since 2016. In the most recent reporting period, his 37% approval rate is 10 percentage points lower than the office average of 47%. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,312 lifetime decisions.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Digby'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
The record for Patrick R. Digby shows a varied trend since 2016. After reaching a low point in 2021, the approval rate has seen a gradual recovery. The latest-period approval rate of 37% reflects this recent shift compared to the lower rates seen in the middle of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Digby'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 Florence hearing office
The Florence hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a key venue for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hearings in Alabama. The office maintains a bench of 9 judges who manage a high volume of cases. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 47%, the office focuses on the specific medical and vocational evidence you present in your claim.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. The Florence office bench includes 9 judges on record since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 76% on a lifetime basis.
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 R. Digby's lifetime approval rate of 32% is at the lower end of the 32% to 76% range seen among the 9 judges who have served at the Florence office. While every judge has a unique approach, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a fluctuation in approval rates since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates around 2021, the judge's rate has trended upward, reaching 37% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this questioning and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the requirements of your hearing.