What happens if reconsideration is denied?

Asked by: Dr. Rowan Reinger DVM  |  Last update: April 25, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (14 votes)

If a motion for reconsideration is denied, the original court order generally stands, but you usually still have options like appealing the denial (often as part of an appeal of the main judgment to a higher court), filing a different type of motion (like a motion to vacate), or potentially refiling if specific conditions are met and deadlines are respected, though refiling is often limited or disallowed. The denial signifies the judge found insufficient grounds to change their initial ruling, so the focus shifts to further legal avenues, emphasizing checking local rules and consulting a lawyer.

What happens if your reconsideration is denied?

If your reconsideration appeal was denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You will need to: Complete the necessary forms required by the Social Security Administration, including the Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge.

Can a judge deny a motion for reconsideration?

A motion for reconsideration may be properly denied if based on unraised facts known to the movant prior to entry of judgment.

How do you win a reconsideration appeal?

6 Tips to Win Your Social Security Disability Reconsideration...

  1. File Your Appeal Within Sixty (60) Days. ...
  2. File The Correct Paperwork. ...
  3. Determine Why Your Application Was Denied. ...
  4. Ensure All Evidence Is Updated. ...
  5. Consider Having Your Treatment Provider Submit a Statement. ...
  6. Discuss Appeal with an Attorney.

What's the success rate of reconsideration?

The initial appeal, or Reconsideration, has a low SSDI appeal approval rate, typically around 13-15%. Most claimants must proceed to the next stage. Your chances of winning a disability appeal improve significantly if you get a hearing before a judge.

What Happens if Your SSDI Reconsideration Gets Denied ?

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What are common grounds for reconsideration?

Common grounds for reconsideration in legal or administrative matters include newly discovered evidence, clear errors of law or fact, an intervening change in controlling law, or to prevent manifest injustice, but generally not just because a party disagrees with the outcome. It's a request for the original decision-maker to review their ruling due to significant oversights or new developments, rather than an appeal to a higher court. 

What will happen if the motion for reconsideration is denied?

Conclusion. When a motion for new trial or reconsideration under Rule 37 of the Rules of Court is denied, the standard, most straightforward remedy is to appeal the original judgment or final order within the reglementary period. Failure to appeal results in finality of the judgment.

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, complex evidence, or specific defenses like insanity, with sexual assault, crimes against children, and white-collar crimes frequently cited as challenging due to juror bias, weak physical evidence, or technical complexity. The insanity defense is notoriously difficult because it shifts the burden of proof and faces public skepticism. 

What is the success rate of motions for reconsideration?

Motion to reconsider success rates vary widely by jurisdiction and case type, generally being low (often under 20-30%) because they aim to correct clear errors, not reargue the case; however, success can jump significantly (e.g., up to 35% for some immigration motions) when clear overlooked evidence or misapplied law is presented, as it's sent back to the original decision-maker who can correct their own mistakes. Generic requests are rarely successful, requiring specific, compelling arguments showing manifest injustice or new facts/law.
 

How long does it take for reconsideration to be approved?

A Social Security disability reconsideration decision typically takes 3 to 9 months, though it can vary; it's the first appeal stage after an initial denial, involving a new examiner reviewing your case and new evidence, with longer times often due to delays in obtaining updated medical records or high caseloads. 

How to write a strong reconsideration request?

Although you may want to write a longer letter that states all the reasons they should reconsider, you could have better success if you keep it brief. Use a professional tone: Keep a professional tone to help sell your argument and show you have objective and legitimate reasons for requesting your reconsideration.

What disabilities are hard to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove

  • Mental Health Conditions.
  • Chronic Pain Disorders.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
  • Autoimmune Disorders.

What happens after reconsideration is denied?

Next Steps After a Reconsideration Denial

You must request a hearing within 60 days of receiving that notice. A hearing will allow you to present evidence, witnesses, and arguments to convince an administrative law judge that you qualify for disability benefits.

What not to tell the attorney?

You should not tell a lawyer to "just do it," admit fault (like saying "I'm sorry" or "it was my fault"), downplay your case ("it's simple/quick"), compare them to other lawyers, or lie or withhold information, as these undermine their ability to help you; instead, be honest, factual, and provide all details, even bad ones, so they can build the strongest case, letting them guide strategy.
 

How many mandatory reconsiderations are successful?

At Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) stage, just 31% of claims changed in the claimant's favour. ⚖️ Tribunal outcomes: The national average success rate at tribunal in 2024-25 is around 65%. At Fightback, our success rate is consistently 88–90% at appeal.

Which lawyer wins most cases?

There's no single lawyer universally crowned as having won the most cases, as records are hard to track, but American trial lawyer Gerry Spence is legendary for never losing a criminal case and not losing a civil case for decades, while Guyanese lawyer Sir Lionel Luckhoo famously achieved 245 successive murder-charge acquittals, a world record. Other highly successful figures include India's Harish Salve and figures like Joe Jamail, known for huge verdicts, but the definition of "winning" varies across legal fields. 

What is the stupidest court case?

We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself. "But coffee is meant to be hot" we all cry. Dig a little deeper into the case however and it starts to look less frivolous.

What happens to 90% of court cases?

According to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, "The overwhelming majority (90 to 95 percent) of cases result in plea bargaining."

How to win a motion for reconsideration?

You just need to convince the court that new developments, accurate law or a correct view of the facts justify a new ruling. If you think your case has solid grounds that support a Motion for Reconsideration, go ahead – it may help you win the war.

What's next after a motion for reconsideration?

Wait for the Court's Decision:

After considering your Motion for Reconsideration and any responses from the other parties, the court will issue a decision either granting or denying the motion. This decision will be based on the court's assessment of the legal and factual issues raised.

What happens at a reconsideration hearing?

The most common type of post-trial motion is a Motion for Reconsideration in which you are asking the judge to reconsider his/her ruling and change one specific part of the court order or the court's overall ruling.

How to win a reconsideration?

Table of Contents

  1. #1: File Your Appeal on Time.
  2. #2: Understand Why Your Claim Was Denied.
  3. #3 File the Proper Paperwork.
  4. #4: Submit Your Medical Records.
  5. #5: Write an Appeal Letter.
  6. #6: Hire a Lawyer.

How often are motions for reconsideration granted?

Such requests for reconsideration are often filed, but rarely successful unless there clearly has been a change in the law or facts. As for filing an appeal, usually a party has to wait until the end of the case when court issues a final judgment before taking an appeal.

What is the remedy for denied motion for reconsideration?

Rule 37, §9 of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides that an order denying a motion for reconsideration is not appealable, the remedy being an appeal from the judgment or final order.