Joseph Jonathan Duerst

I hired Joseph Duerst to represent me in my SSDI disability appeal. During his representation I discovered that the SSA had scheduled a consultative examination with a physician who lacked the required credentials for the specialty evaluation he was contracted to perform. When I brought this to Mr. D...uerst’s attention with documented evidence, he dismissed my concerns entirely, told me I was “spinning my wheels,” and refused to take any action to protect my case. He also failed to submit my most recent medical records to SSA — records I had provided to him directly and that he confirmed had been sent. They were not. I only discovered this by obtaining and reviewing my own case file after his withdrawal. Communication via phone was also a consistent problem. Despite leaving multiple messages about a few questions/concerns I had regarding my case, he still refused to return my call. Instead, I was told to send my questions through the “case status” portal. Perhaps most troubling: Mr. Duerst had appointed himself as my representative on my SSI claim while simultaneously telling me to handle that claim entirely on my own. I did all of the work myself — yet he was positioned to collect a 25% fee on any award. He never explained how his name ended up on that claim or why he felt entitled to a fee for work he never performed. For every critical step, such as filing objections, submitting medical records, responding to fraudulent examiners, claimants are on their own. When I pushed back and demanded he do his job, he withdrew from my case and appeal, leaving me without representation at a critical stage with no accountability. I was left to file my own complaints with the SSA Office of Inspector General and handle critical case documentation entirely on my own. Other disability claimants deserve an attorney who will actually fight for them. Mr. Duerst is NOT that attorney.

Joseph did an amazing job with my disability claim! From first contact to that amazing day we received the letter stating our case was approved, he was honest, open, available, and informative. I never felt like I was in this alone. He always took time to answer my questions in a clear and non-con...fusing way and explained every step before and during the process. I highly recommend Joseph!!

He answered my add, it said Need Help With Social Security Disability Appeal this month. I fired Premier Disability for being denied my disability insurance three times. I was beaten and bruised with a broken back and no hope. I filed the appeal with my iPhone in the lobby of the SSAdministrations ...Needles, California Offices. The poster said Not Happy with SSA’s Decision? File an appeal now! So I did. Without an attorney. Four hundred days later, at the appeal by phone COVID Style, the judge told me to better her understanding and search for the truth I should get the help of an attorney. Too much at stake for me to pretend I was one. Joseph Duerst came in with a month to understand four years of medical reports, and dozens of doctors, and three surgeries to cram into the hour long appeal we had ahead of us. The appeal came and went. I was penniless, depressed, and angry, with an eight year old daughter I’m completely responsible for. I get a phone call from Joe he says the Judge made a Fully Favorable Decision. I said what’s that, he says, she went all the way back to the day you became disabled forever. April 1, 2017 four of the worst years of my life. I had worked 40 years for my record and I got every penny and then some. The Maximum according to social security guidelines. With predated Medicare and Medicaid to pay for all the medical bills I couldn’t pay for. When I said Joe you saved my family’s future and changed our lives he was humble and said the case won itself and the Judge found the truth. With Joe’s guidance. When I got the request for his fee. The amount was $ 3,200.00 dollars, his time spent working and winning my case. There are horror stories of Big shot attorneys taking tens of thousands of dollars after winning a case like mine. SSAdministration kept $18,000.00 to pay any lawyers claims. Honest with integrity and perseverance, I don’t know any lawyer other than Joseph Duerst that I would trust with my daughters life and her future. It took me six months to write this review because of the damage to my head and spine. Sorry Joe, you deserve a better client. Your the best. See ya.

I called many lawyers searching for help with my disability case, most seemed uninterested if they even got back to me. After almost giving up on my search, I decided to make a few more phone calls and am really glad that I did, because one of them was Joesph Duerst. Before the first phone call was o...ver I knew that Joe was going to represent me and what steps I needed to take before the hearing. He was ready to get to get to work for my case right away. I found Joe to be knowledgeable of both the process of applying for disability and what was needed to win my case in particular. In addition, he seemed very concerned with ethical practices including making sure I did not have to pay for any medical records as there was a new law in Arizona he helped pass regarding these records when applying to disability. Because of COVID-19 we had a telephone hearing with the judge. Joe prepared me for the hearing and was professional and courteous throughout the process. After the hearing, Joe stayed up to date with my case and immediately notified me when the decision came back from the judge as fully favorable! I highly recommend Joseph Duerst of J Disability to anyone that needs help with their disability case.

Joe is as direct as they come, which is extremely helpful in a difficult time. He is one of few attorneys in AZ that specializes in SSA disability, which allows him to dig in deeper on issues that generalist lawyers wouldn't get into. On top of that, he's a genuinely nice person and is very fair in... his pricing.