Approval rates
Comparing the performance of Lissette Labrousse requires looking at both long-term and recent data. While the 40% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a broad view of history, the latest-period approval rate of 45% offers a more current snapshot. These figures are best understood when compared to the 21% to 87% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Labrousse'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 2016, Lissette Labrousse has issued 3,491 decisions. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuation, moving from 47% in 2016 to a low of 34% in 2022, before reaching 45% in the most recent partial year. While the latest-period approval rate of 45% sits 6 points below the office average of 51%, the recent data reflects a shift in the volume of favorable outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Labrousse'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 Ft Lauderdale hearing office
The Ft Lauderdale hearing office serves you and other applicants across Florida. With 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office, 10 of whom decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 87% on their 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
Lissette Labrousse has an approval rate of 40% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 21% to 87% seen among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might impact your specific case.
The approval rate for Lissette Labrousse has fluctuated over time, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 45% in the most recent partial year of 2026. While the rate dipped as low as 34% in 2022, the recent trend shows an increase in favorable decisions. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing before this judge regardless of these historical shifts.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities, work history, and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your individual case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's strict disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strength and prepare for your specific hearing.
