Two Lawyers Strike Gold In U.S. Disability System

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 12/22/2011 | Damian Paletta, Dionne Searcey

[zippythepinhead]

Lawyers Harry and Charles Binder began representing applicants for Social Security disability benefits in the 1970s, when the field was a professional backwater. Last year, their firm collected $88 million in fees for guiding clients through the system, government data indicate, making it the nation's largest Social Security disability advocate by far.

"We'll deal with the government," a cowboy-hatted Charles Binder proclaims in his firm's ubiquitous television ads. "You have enough to worry about."

[zippythepinhead]

I work for the government. WSJ nails it!

[The_Media_never_lie]

Lawyers are scum.

Appologies to the honest lawyers, both of them.

[George from New England]

What galls me the most are attornys that work for state, county and governmental operations. The situations where you and I, citizens, have to fight for our rights and justice. We have to pay for our counsel while the system just uses our tax monies to fight us.

[anoldafvet]

It’s the 99.99999% of the lawyers that give the rest a bad reputation.

[q_an_a]

The problem is that CONGRESS has let the rules get so complicated it is impossible to file for what you need. My father a WWII vet needs "assisted living" now that my mom has passed away. When we started working on VA procedures. many "advisers" at homes told us hire help if you make one mistake you will be rejected and can never reapply. I don't know if that is true, but it was said enough that I believe there is some truth.

Why are the rules so tough - to help 83 year old people that served? Why is there not a "helper" to guide those who need it? The answer is IT'S THE GOVERNMENT they are not here to help!!!

[ml/nj]

Why are the rules so tough

Because they were made by lawyers in order that you couldn't survive without them. It makes other conflicts of interest appear to be absolutely benign by comparison.

ML/NJ

[rstrahan]

I just completed the process due to serious neuromuscular and Parkinson’s related issues. The operative point is always NO. It doesn’t matter if its an insurance disability claim or the SS. The automatic answer is NO.

The attorneys have carved out a niche guiding people through the system, where the government, etc are routinely rejecting claiments. In today’s world, you may not like having to get an attorney, but it has become necessary to obtain your disability rights.

Now here’s another one. You are automatically denied Medicare payments for 2 years after you get your SS disability, even if you turn 65 within that 2 years. The system is designed so that people will hopefully die before you need Medicare.

[ridesthemiles]

I am sorry for your health related issues. I am over 72 & am still in pretty good health.

However, what few TV channels I can receive are peppered with the ads from these kinds of ‘attorneys’. I hate them.

There are a couple of 30’s or so y/o persons living within 2 miles of me who get SSDI because they are ‘too fat’ to work. I grew up watching farmers on dairy farms in Wisconsin do more than a decent days work all year round who were as big or bigger. these 2 refuse to lose a single pound, also.

[itsahoot]

—{Why are the rules so tough - to help 83 year old people that served? Why is there not a “helper” to guide those who need it?}—

I think that may be why God thinks families were a good thing.

Of course zero will soon fix that for you, guide lines for people over 70 is limited to comfort care for the Unit. Not even called people any more.