IgnatiusofLoyola Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Background: As I posted a few days back, I was approved for Social Security Disability in the past couple of weeks. I was approved the first time I applied, and the process took "only" 6 months, but even so, it was very emotionally difficult, and required hours of paperwork, physical and psychological exams by Social Security,etc. There has been a huge increase in Social Security Disability applications in the past few years since the recession started, and and states are backlogged, with the process taking one to two years (sometimes more) in some states, and with some states delaying the start of benefit payments even after a person is approved, to save money. The percentage of people who are approved the first time they apply is much smaller than in the past, and appears to be roughly 15% at the most optimistic (and probably lower). So, the fact that I was approved the first time, and after "only" 6 months was a true gift to me. I know that God and the prayers of Phatmassers had a lot to do with it. I also had the benefit of two excellent doctors with a lot of experience dealing with Social Security Disability, and a Social Security Disability lawyer who had been recommended to me independently by at least five or six people I respected. He is no "ambulance chaser"--he gets more work than he can handle by word of mouth. And, all he handles are Social Security Disability cases. As I understand it, Social Security Disability lawyers normally work on contingency, that is, they don't get paid unless their client is approved for Social Security Disability. Their fees are a percentage of the Social Security benefits paid. Personally, I liked this arrangement. It meant that both my lawyer and I wanted to do everything possible to get approved, and to get approved as quickly as possible. It meant I wouldn't have the problem that happens in some types of cases where lawyers are paid on an hourly basis, and they try to delay the process as long as possible, to increase their fees. (BTW--All the other lawyers I have used in the past were paid on an hourly basis, and except for one case, I felt their fees were very fair and not "padded.") My specific Disability lawyer takes a set percentage of the back benefits that Social Security pays to most (virtually all?) applicants. Because of information that I had from Social Security before the process started, giving what turned out to be very accurate estimates of what my back benefits would be if I were approved, I had a very good idea from the beginning what my lawyer's fees would be. I felt the fees were very fair considering the work and expertise involved. My lawyer and his staff treated me so well! There was always someone available to answer questions and to guide me through the process. They returned phone calls quickly, and my lawyer's ethics were never questionable. I was never asked to lie or even exaggerate, or to hold back any information. For Social Security Disability, many people wait until they are turned down, and then appeal, before they hire a lawyer to possibly save legal fees, but my lawyer said he was more successful if he was in on the case from the beginning. And, his fees are the same whether he is hired at the beginning or later. In my case, I really wanted to be approved on the first try if possible, and since the Social Security system is very complex, I didn't feel competent to handle my case on my own, and it was worth paying a lawyer, especially one that came so highly recommended, with fees that seemed very fair. Okay, sorry for the long introduction. Yesterday, I received in the mail a check for $1,000 from my lawyer. The letter included with the check said that because of the fact that my case was approved more quickly than expected, and looking at the time the legal team spent on my case, they felt their payment for my case was too high, and I had overpaid by $1,000. I have never heard of anything like this. I've generally been very lucky in the times when I had to use lawyers, such as with my divorce. Perhaps it isn't uncommon for a lawyer to refund a portion of a fee--perhaps it happens often when a client pays a retainer at the beginning of a case. But, lawyers who work on contingency have such a bad reputation, that I never expected this, especially since the fee had seemed fair to me. Even if it was not an unusual thing to do, it was a $1,000 payment that I didn't expect. Honest lawyers do exist. Being approved for SS Disability relieves one huge worry. However, I still have LOTS of very hard issues yet to face (like what to do with the rest of my life), and tough tasks ahead that I don't know yet how I'm going to get done. But the check was another nudge from God that he hasn't forgotten me. Thank-you once again to all the Phatmassers who have been praying for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Duh. Ever met Miss Catherine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Or Terra Firma? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I was a fairly honest one. 90% of my clients were free ones who gave me no money, so that didn't leave me with many opportunities to defraud anyone. The hardest thing for an attorney to be honest about isn't money, although that does happen more than you'd think, it's about whether they know the answer or not. You'll rarely find a lawyer who will tell you they don't know something. When I'd tell a client I have no idea, but that I'd research it for them, and find out, they'd look at me like I'd sprouted a third head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='CatherineM' date='11 July 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1278904819' post='2141479'] I was a fairly honest one. 90% of my clients were free ones who gave me no money, so that didn't leave me with many opportunities to defraud anyone. The hardest thing for an attorney to be honest about isn't money, although that does happen more than you'd think, it's about whether they know the answer or not. You'll rarely find a lawyer who will tell you they don't know something. When I'd tell a client I have no idea, but that I'd research it for them, and find out, they'd look at me like I'd sprouted a third head. [/quote] I suppose that makes sense. I've been tentatively planning to start up my own firm in a few months, and honestly the amount of stuff I don't know is pretty staggering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 (edited) I'm pretty sure Terra Firma is actually a shark. She puts on this act so that she can swindle old ladies out of their retirement and pension. You can tell by the look in her eyes. Look In Her Eyes: [img]http://stewe.blogg.se/images/2008/captain_howdy_20064130.jpg[/img] That's actually Terra Firma. True story. She wears a lot of makeup. One time she mugged a priest while he was depositing the weekly donations from his working-class neighbourhood parish that's in danger of being closed because half of the congregation are poor-yet-honest folk who are exploited by exploitive lawyers like Terra, who is exploitive. One time she stole candy from a baby, then forced the baby's diabetic mother to eat it. Because she's exploitive. Like a shark. [img]http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-4/great-white-shark-3.jpg[/img] Ok, I'm all out. [size="1"]To add a caveat for anybody reading this who does not know Terra Firma well, which includes me, all my allegations are almost definitely untrue. She's probably just as nice as she appears, which is obviously much nicer than me. [/size] Edited July 12, 2010 by Nihil Obstat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 (edited) [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' date='11 July 2010 - 10:04 PM' timestamp='1278903882' post='2141462'] Duh. Ever met Miss Catherine? [/quote] [quote name='homeschoolmom' date='11 July 2010 - 10:08 PM' timestamp='1278904088' post='2141467'] Or Terra Firma? [/quote] There has never been any doubt in my mind that any lawyer on Phatmass (including CatherineM and Terra Firma) is (or was) an honest lawyer. But, just as all Catholics are not like Phatmassers (although they should be--well, except for the times when even Phatmassers aren't at their best), lawyers, especially lawyers who work on contingency, often don't have the best of reputations--deserved or not. I could have picked a better title for my thread, but I hope CatherineM, Terra Firma, and any other lawyers in our midst, understand. You've been kinda picky tonight, US. Are you getting enough fiber? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/kiss.gif[/img] Edited July 12, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='11 July 2010 - 11:59 PM' timestamp='1278907176' post='2141500']except for the times when even Phatmassers aren't at their best)[/quote] [quote] You've been kinda picky [u]tonight[/u], US. [/quote] Have you met me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='11 July 2010 - 10:58 PM' timestamp='1278907124' post='2141499'] Ok, I'm all out. [size="1"]To add a caveat for anybody reading this who does not know Terra Firma well, which includes me, all my allegations are almost definitely untrue. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif[/img] She's probably just as nice as she appears, which is obviously much nicer than me. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/happy.gif[/img][/size] [/quote] You protest too much, Mr. Obstat. Among Phatmassers, you rank right up near the top on the niceness scale. And, when you add in intelligent, funny, and imaginative, it's pretty easy to overlook the times when you are not all you could be, because for a callow youth, you show unusual wisdom. For all I know, in RL you are a big jerk. But, if so, on the Internet you hide it remarkably well. Now, go and bask in my compliments. And, if you get a swelled head, Phatmassers are experts at teaching humility (that is, for those who who choose to listen, which you give an excellent appearance of doing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='11 July 2010 - 09:58 PM' timestamp='1278907124' post='2141499'] I'm pretty sure Terra Firma is actually a shark. She puts on this act so that she can swindle old ladies out of their retirement and pension. You can tell by the look in her eyes. Look In Her Eyes: [img]http://stewe.blogg.se/images/2008/captain_howdy_20064130.jpg[/img] That's actually Terra Firma. True story. She wears a lot of makeup. One time she mugged a priest while he was depositing the weekly donations from his working-class neighbourhood parish that's in danger of being closed because half of the congregation are poor-yet-honest folk who are exploited by exploitive lawyers like Terra, who is exploitive. One time she stole candy from a baby, then forced the baby's diabetic mother to eat it. Because she's exploitive. Like a shark. [img]http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-4/great-white-shark-3.jpg[/img] Ok, I'm all out. [size="1"]To add a caveat for anybody reading this who does not know Terra Firma well, which includes me, all my allegations are almost definitely untrue. She's probably just as nice as she appears, which is obviously much nicer than me. [/size] [/quote] It's true. I have to keep moving all the time, exploiting, or I die. It's who I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='11 July 2010 - 10:59 PM' timestamp='1278907176' post='2141500'] You've been kinda picky tonight, US. Are you getting enough fiber? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/kiss.gif[/img] [/quote] [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' date='11 July 2010 - 11:10 PM' timestamp='1278907847' post='2141503'] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/bye.gif[/img] Have you met me? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/rap.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/graduate_talk.gif[/img] [/quote] Perhaps you are picky most of the time, but either I've never bothered to notice, or we post in different forums, or you are picky about many of the same things I am picky about (which I think is the case at least some of the time). At any rate, I only noticed it tonight. But, I plan to go back to not paying attention to whether you're picky or not--it's not worth my energy. You're normally nice to me, which is what I mostly care about. Plus, after all this time, I STILL get confused by your using SCG's avatar. So, any sins you commit, I tend to attribute to SCG, even if you say things that he would never say. (Which I assume is your intention.) Poor guy. What did he do to you to deserve this? Or are you paying him big bucks for the right to use his avatar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='11 July 2010 - 11:13 PM' timestamp='1278907981' post='2141504'] You protest too much, Mr. Obstat. Among Phatmassers, you rank right up near the top on the niceness scale. And, when you add in intelligent, funny, and imaginative, it's pretty easy to overlook the times when you are not all you could be, because for a callow youth, you show unusual wisdom. For all I know, in RL you are a big jerk. But, if so, on the Internet you hide it remarkably well. Now, go and bask in my compliments. And, if you get a swelled head, Phatmassers are experts at teaching humility (that is, for those who who choose to listen, which you give an excellent appearance of doing). [/quote] One time I won a humility contest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Normile Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='11 July 2010 - 11:29 PM' timestamp='1278908999' post='2141511'] One time I won a humility contest. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif[/img] [/quote] Yea, but contests created an judged by your mommie do not really count for much. ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Ed Normile' date='11 July 2010 - 11:47 PM' timestamp='1278910064' post='2141515'] Yea, but contests created an judged by your mommie do not really count for much. ed [/quote] I'm so humble I'm not even saying anything about that right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='12 July 2010 - 12:24 AM' timestamp='1278908684' post='2141510'] Plus, after all this time, I STILL get confused by your using SCG's avatar. So, any sins you commit, I tend to attribute to SCG, even if you say things that he would never say. (Which I assume is your intention.) Poor guy. What did he do to you to deserve this? Or are you paying him big bucks for the right to use his avatar? [/quote] Ok I normally don't give this secret out, BUT... if you hit control+F5, it will give me a new, random avatar. Go ahead. Do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now