Hi All;
Has anyone had to fire their SSDI attorney? I have had this attorney since August 2005 and basically he has done nothing for me. My case is in reconsideration so it has been there a long time. Basically, my attorney has done very little for me except filing the reconsideration for me. I have done all the rest. And when they do tell me things, they are usually wrong. I want to break our contract as they do not deserve one penny if and when my case is solved.

Thanks;
Nancy-H

If he is unprepared and you are turned down because of HIS poor representation, making him file yet ANOTHER request for reconsideration, then that tells me he wants to jack up your award more and more, so HE gets a bigger payoff when you finally win the case.

I think it just MAY be time to consult another attorney (who should be able to get a continuance to prepare for this upcoming day to present your case again) ---

Or you might tell your attorney -in no uncertain terms- that if he can't win your case at this upcoming hearing, that you are switching your representation immediately ----- which will certainly chop deeply into any award he can expect.

Also, ask to SEE all his work done so far on your case --- to SEE the entire case file he has on you. NOT in a couple of weeks. NOT in a week. But THEN. TODAY. You can sit in his law library with it and find out just how much work HE has added to the file beyond what you have given him. Take NOTES, numbering the sheets and describing the contents of each one there. Have one of his assistants or him sign off on it as representative of the file.

This might spur him into action.

Hopefully for you,
Teri

Hi , I think if you were to stop this attorney and get another,,you would end up paying for 2 attorneys if you win..That's a big chunk of your monies..I just won and I signed a cap in Ohio but my attorney wasn't happy with it,,He ask if he could have more monies,,,So they can even do that also...So my attorney wi;; end up with over 9 thousand dollars..Not that he didn't deserve it...They are a godsend we you go upfront a ALJ and if you have to go further ( like me ) and go all the way to federal courts to get my fully fav..Hugs, Cindy

Yes, both attorneys will get paid -- but you shouldn't end up paying out more than the percentage set in the beginning, no more.

Call the offices of a couple of other attorneys and ASK about how this works. Like if you are suing for malpractice -- you can change attorneys, then the two decide how they will split the award.

I MAY be wrong -- so the only way to know for sure is to call (or visit) and ask them.

Teri

Nancy, Hope you have gotten some response from your attorney by noe what is helping.
I had to fire my attorney when I had a BWC case and he didn't get anything even though he supposedly had been on the case for a couple of yrs.
Point here though is that one attorney will not even talk to you about your case until you have fired your present attorney.
I understand how your feeling all to well.
I fought BWC for 6yrs and stll didn't get the full claim and really got screwed, beside the point here.
My point though is are you sure it's the attorney and just not the process of dealing with a very, very slow, backed up SSA system, It has taken me over 4 yrs to get through 2 denial and to finally get a JDL hearing for Jan. 1, 2006.
I wish you the best of luck with your claim..
Linda