Approval rates
To understand how Wallace E. Weakley compares to the local bench, we look at the approval rates for all 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa. These judges show a wide range of outcomes, from 31% to 90% on their since-2016 records. Comparing individual performance against this range provides context for the local hearing environment.
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 approval rate for Wallace E. Weakley showed variation across the 760 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates a rate of 43% in 2016, 47% in 2017, and 38% in 2018. This trend reflects a period of fluctuation rather than a single linear direction.
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 is the most recent office on record for 16 judges, with data current through September 2018 for Wallace E. Weakley. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where your evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% on their since-2016 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 44% SSDI approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 31% to 90% seen among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate fluctuated during the recorded window, moving from 43% in 2016 to 47% in 2017 and 38% in 2018. These shifts are common in administrative law as case mixes and evidence standards evolve. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical 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, it is vital to have your case prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and functional limitations. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
