You indicated the attorney fee payments was a recent change. It is not. You said the fee cap was $5000 (never was) and that is going up by the month (also not true).

It is true that people die while waiting for a favorable decision. Death is not always predictable or anticipated by a person's doctor, but people with serious illnesses are more likely to die than healthier individuals. Accidents happen to all of us. The appeal process can be incredibly long and things happen in life. And it is sad that people die while waiting.