Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 44% approval rate for Michael S. Hertzig reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which provides a sample size of 3,503 decisions. When evaluating this against the local bench, the range for judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie is 24% to 54%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
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 Hertzig'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 Michael S. Hertzig has fluctuated since 2016. While the rate reached 59% in 2025, the latest period shows a rate of 47%. This variation is common in SSDI hearings and often reflects changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented. The recent data remains within the established range of the judge's historical record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hertzig'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 Metairie hearing office
Michael S. Hertzig's most recent office on record is the Metairie hearing office, which serves you in Louisiana. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 54%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Metairie hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 24% to 54%. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Michael S. Hertzig has an approval rate of 44% based on 3,503 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 54% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Michael S. Hertzig has seen yearly shifts, ranging from a low of 36% in 2024 to a high of 59% in 2025. These fluctuations are typical as case mixes evolve. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively regardless of these 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, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and your ability to prove you meet SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
