Wasted $400 on a private disability lawyer who did nothing

I hired this firm in San Diego called Disability Advocates Group, paid them $400 up front for them to handle my appeal. Three months later they hadn't filed a single document, just kept saying they were waiting on my records. Ended up doing everything myself through the EDD website and got approved in 6 weeks. Has anyone else dealt with these shady upfront fee places?

2 comments

2 Comments

shah.olivia14d ago

and the worst part is that the whole thing is set up to take advantage of people who are already struggling. I had a similar run in with a lawyer in Orange County who charged $300 just to look at my papers. The second I asked for a refund they stopped returning my calls. It really seems like these firms count on clients being too worn out to fight back or not knowing the system. What I learned the hard way is that the EDD has free help if you call their customer service line and ask for the advocate office. They walked me through every step over the phone and I got my benefits in about two months. If someone is desperate enough to pay $400 upfront they probably need that money for rent or food, not a lawyer who does nothing. I wish there was a better way to warn people before they hand over their cash.

james66114d ago

$400 upfront is steep but sometimes you do need a lawyer if the EDD messes up bad enough.