Approval rates
The approval rate for Wallace E. Weakley is based on 760 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically approached disability claims. When evaluating this data, it is helpful to compare it against the broader office-wide lifetime range of 31% to 90% for all judges on record. 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 Weakley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Weakley'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 Wallace E. Weakley covers 760 lifetime decisions starting in 2016. The yearly trend shows some fluctuation, with approval rates moving from 43% in 2016 to 47% in 2017, before shifting to 38% in 2018. This pattern indicates that the judge's decision-making has varied over the course of the available data window. These shifts may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or the specific evidence presented during those periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Weakley'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 Tampa hearing office
The Tampa hearing office serves you throughout the region in Florida. As part of a large office with 16 judges on record, the facility manages a high volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal legal environment where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in any decision. You can see the Tampa Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
Social Security disability cases are assigned using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% over their respective lifetime records.
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
Wallace E. Weakley has a lifetime approval rate of 44% across 760 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 31% to 90% for the 16 judges on record at the Tampa office. An attorney can help you understand how to build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards often seen in this office.
The data shows some variation in the approval rate for Wallace E. Weakley between 2016 and 2018. While the rate was 43% in 2016 and 47% in 2017, it moved to 38% in 2018. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the burden of proof regardless of recent trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where the 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 for this testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized effectively.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the unique medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.