Approval rates
The 52% approval rate for Paula J. Goodrich reflects her total decisions on record since 2016. This is set against the broader bench at the Akron OH office, where the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 43% to 80% in their own since-2016 records. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office's historical activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Goodrich. 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 Goodrich'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 approval rate for Paula J. Goodrich has fluctuated across the 2,708 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2018, the data shows a decline in 2019 and 2020, followed by a shift in 2022. This pattern highlights how approval rates move over time based on the specific mix of cases heard.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Goodrich'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 Akron OH hearing office
The Akron OH hearing office serves claimants across the region. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, reflecting the office's historical capacity. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Akron OH office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 43% to 80% based on their individual records since 2016.
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
Paula J. Goodrich has an approval rate of 52% since 2016. This places her within the range of 43% to 80% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Akron OH office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Paula J. Goodrich has varied over time. While she maintained a rate of 55% to 56% between 2016 and 2018, the rate shifted in subsequent years, reaching 57% in 2022. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will participate. Having an attorney can help you organize your testimony and medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Paula J. Goodrich will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that could impact your hearing.
