I have been waiting, writing letters to elected officials, praying, and suffering for three years and have finally been given a hearing date. I hired a lawyer approximately a year ago and he did diddly to expedite my case. I did a lot. The judge sent a letter stating that if he would fill out some forms she sent; acquire some documents from medical providers and other witnesses that it was possible to avoid a hearing at all. That was 9 months I think — November 06.
I was adamant that she meant what she said, the “attorney” said that I misunderstood what she was saying. He stated that he had been doing this for 28 years and that’s just not how it works. No matter what that or any other letter stated. He also made mention that he didn’t even know that judge. She must be “new.” He did nothing to aid me in acquiring the items she asked to be sent to her. He did nothing to prepare me for the psychiatric tests I was about to endure.
5 responses so far ↓
1 american lion
i wish you the best of luck. however, the old axiom “a person who represents himself in court has a fool for a client” may just hold true in your case. i hope you are successful. please post again with the results.
2 mattopai
Very stupid.
3 R&KBen
Stupid isn’t the right word but it would be ill advised.
I’ve been representing people for a number of years in Social Security hearings and can tell you that there are a lot of things you cannot know without having done it over and over again.
Let me give you one example. You can ask your doctor and he can write a letter and even testify that you are disabled and the judge can ignore it because the doctor uses the term disabled but DOES NOT use the definitions and the terminology that the Social Security Administration recognizes. Your lawyer could elicit the same testimony using the correct terminology and the judge must give it extra weight because the doc is the treating physician.
4 Linda R
There are good lawyers and bad lawyers !! Sounds like you got a bad one !!Somebody can do something for 28 years and still suck !! I would get another lawyer and show him or her what you have been through like all your documents!! But my god lawyers cost a fortune !! I don’t know were you are from but have you considered legal aide ????
5 R S
Look at the finances!
What do you stand to lose?
What would you have to pay your lawyer to dismiss him at this point?
What would a new lawyer cost you?
The lawyer you have sounds the same as the many I have dealt with over the years. He will most likely pull thru at the hearing.
Check around to find out about his reputation.
RS