Pond Lehocky Giordano, a Philadelphia law firm concentrating in workers compensation and Social Security, is permanently laying off 76 employees, apparently due to financial stresses brought about by Covid-19.
There really isn't any SSD law firm that hasn't been negatively affected by COVID, particularly for firms that only handle appeals at hearing level. The wait for a hearing is less than the time to obtain an initial decision in almost all parts of the country.
The wait for a hearing at our OHO is 6 months, which yes is way, way faster than pre-covid. But initial decisions are 2 months.
We do both admin and court social security work and the court work allowed us to keep busy during early covid, but SSA has delayed answers/transcripts (understandable) and answering briefs (why?), which ultimately delays 406(b) fees as well.
AZ. Also 60 days for recon. Is that not normal? If it is any comfort, the state agency pretty much just rubberstamps boilerplate denials, even with the most legitimate cases, unless it's a grid out due to age.
@2:04 here....assuming most claimant AODs are very close to the filing date your saying the hearing occurs in the majority of cases before or right at 12 months from AODs?
If correct, the value of SS cases in AZ has plummeted one would assume.
I rep claimants in Kentucky and Indiana. We hardly ever see initial or recon determinations in 60 days. Since the pandemic started, it's been closer to 4 months for each.
Maybe I"ll start getting less calls from former clients of regional and national firms who lost their case. What do you mean I should have seen a rheumatologist for my fibro? What do you mean I should have had an MRI? What do you mean I should have listned to my doctor and gone to PT? What do you mean I should't have used only holistic medicines?
11:20/2:27 here. The absurdly low award rates means despite our best efforts, it's very common to require appeal and even judicial review. Also we are always careful to develop 17 months prior to application date, to ensure 12 months retroactivity plus 5 months waiting period is covered.
As to the quicker hearings, it's obviously welcome. Yes each case may result in slightly less past due benefits, but quicker in and quicker out. Lots of labor costs in carrying cases for months, or even years, in regard to ensuring the evidence of record remains developed as to current treatment. Overall it seems to have balanced out in that sense. The fee delays themselves is another matter.
This is the law firm that Morgan and Morgan sends their social security cases to. Morgan and Morgan is the clown show that advertises nationally with the ridiculous commercials about how bigger is better.
They were not laid off due to covid. The firm was struggling due to inefficiency and mismanagement and the lay offs were in the barrel regardless. Sadly due to swiftness of the terminations, none of those people saw the 2M PPP.
@11:20 the hearing date may be several months out but we are getting our hearings scheduled within weeks of requesting them. Sometimes days.
According to the PPP loan database, they received $2,000,000 to assist with payroll for their 134 employees.
ReplyDeletehttps://projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/bailouts/loans/pond-lehocky-giordano-llp-8792317008
There really isn't any SSD law firm that hasn't been negatively affected by COVID, particularly for firms that only handle appeals at hearing level. The wait for a hearing is less than the time to obtain an initial decision in almost all parts of the country.
ReplyDelete@9:50
ReplyDeleteThe wait for a hearing at our OHO is 6 months, which yes is way, way faster than pre-covid. But initial decisions are 2 months.
We do both admin and court social security work and the court work allowed us to keep busy during early covid, but SSA has delayed answers/transcripts (understandable) and answering briefs (why?), which ultimately delays 406(b) fees as well.
@11:20
ReplyDeleteWhat state(s) have initial claim processing at 60 days?
What are the recon claim processing times for those state(s)?
Can they apply for all the jobs at SSA when they have to go back to work and everyone in the entire agency retires?
ReplyDelete@2:04
ReplyDeleteAZ. Also 60 days for recon. Is that not normal? If it is any comfort, the state agency pretty much just rubberstamps boilerplate denials, even with the most legitimate cases, unless it's a grid out due to age.
@2:27
ReplyDelete@2:04 here....assuming most claimant AODs are very close to the filing date your saying the hearing occurs in the majority of cases before or right at 12 months from AODs?
If correct, the value of SS cases in AZ has plummeted one would assume.
Sad to see folks lose their jobs. Hope they get something else soon.
ReplyDeleteI rep claimants in Kentucky and Indiana. We hardly ever see initial or recon determinations in 60 days. Since the pandemic started, it's been closer to 4 months for each.
ReplyDeleteDidn't these layoffs happen over a year ago?
ReplyDeleteDateline May 20, 2020 on the article, Chief. Where's the firm at today?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I"ll start getting less calls from former clients of regional and national firms who lost their case. What do you mean I should have seen a rheumatologist for my fibro? What do you mean I should have had an MRI? What do you mean I should have listned to my doctor and gone to PT? What do you mean I should't have used only holistic medicines?
ReplyDelete@3:40
ReplyDelete11:20/2:27 here. The absurdly low award rates means despite our best efforts, it's very common to require appeal and even judicial review. Also we are always careful to develop 17 months prior to application date, to ensure 12 months retroactivity plus 5 months waiting period is covered.
As to the quicker hearings, it's obviously welcome. Yes each case may result in slightly less past due benefits, but quicker in and quicker out. Lots of labor costs in carrying cases for months, or even years, in regard to ensuring the evidence of record remains developed as to current treatment. Overall it seems to have balanced out in that sense. The fee delays themselves is another matter.
This is the law firm that Morgan and Morgan sends their social security cases to. Morgan and Morgan is the clown show that advertises nationally with the ridiculous commercials about how bigger is better.
ReplyDeleteThey were not laid off due to covid. The firm was struggling due to inefficiency and mismanagement and the lay offs were in the barrel regardless. Sadly due to swiftness of the terminations, none of those people saw the 2M PPP.
ReplyDelete@11:20 the hearing date may be several months out but we are getting our hearings scheduled within weeks of requesting them. Sometimes days.
@3:37
ReplyDelete11:20 here. Yep, not complaining. The faster scheduling is great, and hearings being only several months out is a huge improvement.