Kenneth Lewis LaVan

I am aware that the process and the SSA are complex systems and not very efficient and that is why I sought help for my claim. I chose Lavan and Neidenberg expecting that their representation portrayed on TV and in ads depicting their experience and that this could benefit my case and it turns out I... was mistaken. I am making this statement as a result of the effort that they put into my case and hearing, not the wait or the decision from the SSA (which was negative). I met my attorney for the first time at my hearing for about 5 minutes prior to my hearing and she did not seem very confident or encouraging, just as she got a bit of basics on my file. She also brought a form raising their fees from 20% to 25% and threatened to walk out before the proceedings, unless I signed the form. I am 100% disabled from the Veterans Administration, I am taking Vicodin, Tramadol, muscle relaxers, anti-depression and anxiety medication along with high blood pressure medicine and due to a military parachute accident I am assisted with mobility with a walker. Despite having over 15,000 pages of medical records from the VA to support my case, my lawyer seemed timid and inexperienced. My attorney was unable to address multiple key facts to support my claim. I feel that my representation was very poor due to the fact important matters and issues where not addressed adequately or presented to the ALJ. The inconsistencies presented by their medical expert my attorney never challenged. At the end of the hearing she attempted to depart without even speaking with me. I inquired as to how the proceedings went due to my inexperience with the SSA. She said it went fine and turned and left the office. After several weeks I found out in the mail I was turned down. To get you as a client and to get you to sign they will be very impressive and attentive to your calls and questions. Once you have signed the paperwork, your calls will go days before they are answered, if then. Each time you contact them, a different person will be on your case, which means you will answer the same questions about a 100 times. I would seriously advise anyone to do a thorough job researching a legal firm before you sign anything binding you to a contract. Talk to anyone you know that has had a successful claim and ask them about their attorney. In retrospect I should have found a smaller legal firm that operates in quality over quantity and actually knows their clients by name.

Good Afternoon, Your representative called and made an appointment to see me last thursday 2/17/11 at 11 am. At 5 minutes to 11 he called and cancelled, at that time we resheduled for today 2/24 at 11am. Again he was a no show, this time I did not even rate a phone call. Is this how you all at LaVa...n & Neidenberg conduct your business one would have to assume so based on his performance. Maybe it's not a big deal to him, however I do take it personaly my time is as valuable as his or yours, I will be taking my business where it will be appreciated... Thank You, Richard B

After two years of waiting for this firm to do something with my VA claim, I finally told them that I was tired of them not answering my phone calls, faxes, and letters. I sent them a letter, telling them that I would pursue my case on my own, as they had been completely unresponsive and unhelpful t...o me. Their response was to send me a letter, saying that they were "withdrawing" from the case, and that they would not waive their right to fees, when and if I receive compensation from the VA. Really? Here's a hint: these people moved to a new office, and the last letter I mailed to them was returned as undeliverable by the Post Office because this firm didn't bother to inform me that they had moved! If you're thinking about hiring them, DON'T DO IT!

It has now been two years. I was aware disability would be a lengthy process. due to another hearing in another county for an unrelated case, I was not able to attend my hearing for disability. The caseworker was aware, and I even asked if I should reschedule my other case to be there. I was told my... hearing for disability would be continued. It wasn't, I was not there to appear and NEITHER was the attorney. My case was dismissed. Then I'm informed the judge is now requesting additional information from SSI, yet the caseworker is telling me my case is being transferred to the county I now live in, since over six months ago the firm never informed SSA I had moved. I have left several messages for the caseworker, no response back. No I have not missed a call, received any emails or letters. They just DO NOT respond! I have no idea where my claim stands, and at what stage of the process I am at.

went online and picked this firm for my SSD case, i was denied and then went before the SS admin judge. i talked to my appointed lawyer the nite before my hearing, i asked about papers i had sent in and he said he had what he needed, i offer my paper work and he replied "he wasn't going to go thru a... stack of papers". at my hearing i met him for the first time and only had 15min to review my case before i went before the judge. i was his second client to go before the televised judge, he came out and said to me" this judge is weird and hates florida!" this statement worried me greatly. i asked him how he liked it over here and this SS admin building, he replied" its not west palm beach "and I just want to get this over". we then went in and he honestly didn't do much and didn't have any fight in himself for my case. i asked him about how it went and he was indifferent. when i received the unfavorable decision in writing and reasons why, i reviewed the SSD letter and it was no surprise. the paper work they put together from my doctors with dates and, it a mess with inconsistency that are blatantly obvious. mostly its the time line they defined. It was different to what i have and stated to them. i believe my lawyer should have brought these points up to me. If those discrepancies were rectified then at least my case would have more merit. to be fair this was probably one lawyer out of many so yours may vary.