Approval rates
When reviewing approval rates, compare figures from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 73% approval rate for John M. Fitzpatrick reflects your total decisions on record since January 2016. This figure sits within the 42% to 78% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. 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 Fitzpatrick. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Fitzpatrick'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 data for John M. Fitzpatrick covers 180 decisions on record starting in January 2016. During this period, the approval rate remained consistent at 73%. Because this record is limited to a specific window in 2016, it provides a snapshot of the judge's activity during that time. This steady pattern helps establish the baseline for the judge's historical decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fitzpatrick'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 Philadelphia hearing office
The Philadelphia hearing office serves you across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%, your individual outcome depends on the specific evidence presented in your case.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
Social Security Administration cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 78% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
John M. Fitzpatrick has an approval rate of 73% on record since 2016. This falls within the 42% to 78% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for John M. Fitzpatrick has remained steady at 73% based on the 180 decisions on record since January 2016. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 73% approval rate for John M. Fitzpatrick is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your claim.
