Brian Patrick Bronson

Biography

Social Security Disability | ERISA Disability Attorney | Federal Court Disability Litigation

Brian Patrick Bronson is a Pennsylvania disability attorney representing individuals in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and ERISA long-term disability insurance claims. Based in Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, Brian assists clients whose disability benefits have been denied by the Social Security Administration or private insurance companies and represents disability claimants throughout Pennsylvania and in federal courts when disability insurance benefits are wrongfully denied.

Many disability claims are initially denied, but individuals often have the right to appeal those decisions through administrative review or federal court litigation. Brian represents clients at every stage of the disability process, including initial disability applications, administrative appeals, hearings before Administrative Law Judges, Appeals Council review, and federal court litigation.

Because disability claims governed by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) involve strict administrative procedures and complex evidentiary rules, Brian works closely with treating physicians, vocational experts, and medical specialists to build comprehensive records designed to withstand both administrative review and federal court scrutiny. He assists clients with long-term disability claim denials, ERISA administrative appeals, and federal disability litigation when insurance companies improperly terminate or refuse disability benefits.

Brian is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as well as the United States District Court for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, and the Northern District of Ohio. These admissions allow him to represent disability claimants in federal litigation involving Social Security disability appeals and ERISA disability insurance disputes.

Individuals frequently contact Brian after asking questions such as “Why was my disability claim denied?”, “How do I appeal a Social Security disability decision?”, or “What can I do if my long-term disability insurance benefits were terminated?” Brian assists clients in navigating these complex disability claim issues and developing the medical and vocational evidence necessary to support disability benefits.

Disability Claims Brian Bronson Handles

Brian represents individuals in a wide range of disability claims, including:

Denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability cases
Long-term disability insurance claim denials
ERISA disability administrative appeals
Physician Disability Insurance Denials
Termination of long-term disability benefits
Federal court appeals of Social Security disability decisions
Disability insurance disputes involving private insurers

If your Social Security Disability or long-term disability claim has been denied, you may still have the right to appeal. Disability claims often require careful development of medical evidence, vocational analysis, and strict compliance with administrative deadlines. Brian represents individuals seeking disability benefits and assists clients in navigating the complex disability appeals process.

Common Disability Claim Issues

Brian frequently assists clients facing complex disability claim problems, including:

Disability benefits denied by the Social Security Administration
Long-term disability insurance claims denied by insurance companies
Disability benefits terminated after a continuing disability review
ERISA disability claims denied due to insufficient medical evidence
Insurance companies requiring independent medical examinations (IMEs)
Insurance companies claiming a claimant can perform “any occupation” work under a disability policy

Disability Representation in Pennsylvania and Northern Ohio

Brian represents disability claimants throughout Western Pennsylvania, including:

Pittsburgh
Greensburg
Latrobe
Altoona
Uniontown
Bedford
Monroeville
Westmoreland County
Allegheny County
Fayette County
Washington County
Indiana County
Blair County

He represents ERISA long-term disability claimants across the entire state of Pennsylvania and in Northern Ohio, particularly in federal courts within the jurisdictions where he is admitted.

Professional Associations and Advocacy

Brian is an active member of several professional organizations focused on disability law and legal advocacy, including the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Westmoreland County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the National Association of Disability Representatives, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, and the ed J. Nakles American Inn of Court.

Brian has also participated in Operation Standby, assisting the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in providing legal representation to active-duty military personnel. Earlier in his career, he served on the Board of Directors of Laurel Legal Services, a nonprofit organization providing civil legal assistance to underserved individuals.

Recognition

Brian has been recognized for excellence in the legal profession, having been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2010 through 2012, and again selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list beginning in 2024 and continuing to the present, an honor awarded to attorneys demonstrating high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition.

Education and Background

Brian earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, where he received the CALI Award in Criminal Law as the top student in his class and contributed scholarly writing to the Duquesne Law Review.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University, where he was a three-year letter winner on the varsity football team competing at the NCAA Division I-AA level in the Patriot League. He received the George Rieu Award, presented to the most outstanding linebacker or defensive lineman, and was twice named Player of the Game for his performances against Cornell University and Towson University.

In addition to athletics, Brian was a violinist in the Westmoreland Youth Symphony and was selected twice for the All-District Orchestra, including the honor of performing in a televised side-by-side concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of renowned conductor Lorin Maazel.

Personal Background

Brian is the son of two educator parents who served long and distinguished careers with the Greater Latrobe School District and the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7. A lifelong resident of Unity Township, Pennsylvania, Brian lives there with his wife and children Bradan, Brody, and Brooklyn.

Brian’s wife, Liznelia Bronson, is a registered nurse who has spent more than twenty years caring for military veterans through her work with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at VA medical facilities in Pittsburgh and Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

Brian’s family maintains a strong tradition of military service. His grandfather, Mike Dreskler, served in the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment ‘The Old Guard’ prior to World War II, where he served as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and participated in guarding the Panama Canal. During World War II he served under George S. Patton in the 6th Armored Division, 86th Reconnaissance Mechanized Squadron, and his unit was among the American forces that helped liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp.

Continuing this tradition of service, Brian’s oldest son Bradan is a Midshipman at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and serves as a member of the United States Navy Reserve.

Outside of his legal practice, Brian enjoys outdoor activities, hunting, baseball, and remaining active in the communities throughout Western Pennsylvania that he serves.

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio

Education

J.D., cum laude, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University (formerly Duquesne University School of Law), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2002
- A.L.I Award
B.S., Business Administration, Bucknell University, 1999

Published Works

The California Open Primary Act Unconstitutionally Burdens Political Parties’ Associational Rights: California Democratic Party v. Jones, 39 Law. Rev. 845, Summer, 2001
Pennsylvania’s Common Law Right to Privacy Inadequately Protects the Rights of Individual Workers’ Compensation Claimant from the Harassment Caused by Video Surveillance, 40 Law. Rev. 523, Spring, 2002

Classes/Seminars

American Conference Institute’s National Forum, “Litigating Disability Insurance Claims”

Honors and Awards

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. 2024 – present
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2010-2012
George Rieu Award
Selected for the Side-by-Side Concert, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, under the Direction of the Renowned Lorin Maazel

Professional Associations and Memberships

Westmoreland County Bar
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Ned Nakles American Inns of Court
NADR
NOSSCR
National Rifle Association

Pro Bono Activities

Operation Standby
Member, Westmoreland Youth Symphony
Laurel Legal Services, Inc.
- Board of Directors, Past Member

Attorney

Contact Information

Practice Areas