Category Archives: Working with Lawyers/Attorneys

What you need to know about hiring an attorney on a Social Security claim

“Combined years of experience” in legal advertising

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Tomasz Stasiuk

This advertising tactic is a bit of a joke in legal circles. Yet it pops up surprisingly frequently. I am sure you have seen lawyers ads touting the “combined experience” of the lawyers in the firm: 18 years of combined … Continue reading →

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How much will the expenses be in a Social Security disability case?

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Since attorneys fees are set (and have to be approved by) Social Security, the bigger question in a Social Security disability case is the amount of the expenses. Since expenses are different in each case, clients often wonder how much … Continue reading →

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What happens if you have more than one lawyer on a Social Security case

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Maybe you have moved out of state and had to get a new lawyer on your Social Security disability case. Maybe you fired your lawyer. Maybe your lawyer fired you. But now, you have to find a new lawyer! What … Continue reading →

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Lawyers’ secret gold-mine

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Meet the most expensive “associate” in most law firms.  More expensive than a regular lawyer.  More expensive than the named partner.  It’s … the photocopier. I was recently reviewing the charges for a one of my clients who was previously … Continue reading →

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Editorial: Does a home study course make you a disability representative?

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I came across this video for a home study course to become representative in Social Security disability cases. That’s right. A Home. Study. Course. Do you want to be represented on your Social Security disability case by someone who took … Continue reading →

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When should I hire a lawyer?

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Here is a frequent question: When should I hire an attorney to help me on Social Security disability benefits case? Imagine you are skydiving for the first time.  Would you wait until you are in the plane going up for your … Continue reading →

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Why can’t I find a lawyer to appeal a hearing denial?

Posted on January 14, 2009 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Did you represent yourself at your Social Security disability hearing? If you were denied, you may find it is difficult to find a lawyer to represent you if you  Sadly, this is a common problem.  It is much harder to … Continue reading →

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The Social Security “User Fee”

Posted on December 24, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

I have previously written about how Social Security (usually) pays your lawyer directly if you win your Social Security disability case. But did you know that Social Security charges to do this.  The Florida Social Security Disability Blog (in my … Continue reading →

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Social Security won’t talk to me BECAUSE I have a lawyer!?!

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Once you hire an attorney to represent you on your Social Security case, you may find that Social Security does not want to release any more information to you.  This is especially true at the Social Security ODAR (Office of … Continue reading →

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If I have a lawyer, why am I doing all the talking?

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

The one thing people are most surprised about when they go to a hearing is that the lawyer does not do all of the talking. In fact, it is the claimant (aka “you”) who has to answer the Judge’s questions.  I … Continue reading →

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Need an attorney? Don’t wait until the last minute!

Posted on October 15, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Pop Quiz: Do you save money by waiting to hire a lawyer/attorney until your hearing is scheduled? Answer:  No. In a normal Social Security contingency fee agreement, you pay the same amount whether you hire an attorney a year before the … Continue reading →

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Small town lawyers vs national law firms

Posted on October 8, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

There are times when dealing with a large company is great: buying a car, for example. You do not want to be working with “Joe’s Car Hut.” But any legal matter, especially a Social Security disability claim, needs a personal … Continue reading →

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Should you fire your lawyer?

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Social Security lawyer Jonathan Ginsgerg has a great article about when NOT to fire your attorney and some of the unexpected consequences of kicking your lawyer to the curb! A good point Jonathan brings up is that you may have a … Continue reading →

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I need help, but I don’t want to be ripped off!

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

One of the hardest parts about getting help on a Social Security case is finding the right person to work with. What if i hire a lawyer and they don’t do anything? What if I am not happy with the … Continue reading →

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How much can a lawyer charge for fees on a Social Security case?

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Tomasz Stasiuk

Social Security fee agreements take one of two forms: Contingency based: If you win, the attorney gets 25% of your back benefits up to a $5,300 $6,000 cap. The “25% or $5,300 $6,000″  fee agreement is a standard fee agreement that Social … Continue reading →

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