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!

I understand that you all had to reconstruct your organizational structure, got it. It seem that L&N were finally on the ball, but only to find out that there is misfiled or misplaced document that I sent to you. You see after asking if all documentation been sent to VA no one seems to know. Soon aft...er L&N sends me a CD with all of my documentation on it. I assumed that was the answer to my many non-returned phone calls. Initially, after your rebuilding the young lady assigned to my case work well with me, however not to her fault. I don’t fell she has all of the filed information for the past years. Items such as FCT that I took money out of my family’s pocket to pay for, yes hundreds of dollars to prove my case. Now don’t say you have to research this information to see if it is true. Just ask Mr. Beck_ _ who works for you I left him a message on June,23 2015 @ 3:49pm. This way you will have your facts and hopefully not respond to this until you have fixed the problem or have information on the where about of my FCT. I work with you all through your growing/ rebuilding. I need you to work with me. You have my phone No# please call me back in a timely manner and do not attack this true statement. Thanks in advance.

I just don't understand. I have been dealing with this firm since 2013. I am really shocked and appealed by the way everything went. Had to scrape up money to catch a plane down there for court on May 11. After I was done with court she tells me if you don't hear anything in 30 days call. Been callin...g since June 12 2015. No return calls oh she will call you nothing until finally today after hours 5:50 PM she calls with very disturbing news. So after being told the decision I just wanted and still do take a knife thru my heart. How do they say I'm not disabled you don't know my pain you don't know what I feel and just like I told her this is gonna take me over the edge. And tell me you put in appeal for what another 20 years I may be have killed myself tonite this really hurts a lawyer is supposed to fight for you. An appeal may be to late for me. Truly disappointed. Truly truly disappointed.