Social Security has posted data showing how much is being paid to each individual or entity providing testimony for the agency as Vocational Experts (VEs) or Medical Experts (MEs) at hearings on disability claims.
Let me note a couple of things. First, the entities probably include more than one VE or ME. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but I think some of the VEs and MEs let an entity handle the paperwork for them in exchange for a cut of the fees. Second, don’t take these numbers as gospel. Social Security also posts numbers on payments of fees to attorneys and law firms representing claimants before the agency. I deliberately don’t post links to these numbers since they have always contained inaccuracies that were obvious to me. I know the rough size of some firms and the numbers given for those firms align poorly with what I know. I don’t know about the VE or ME numbers.
3 comments:
I feel like a lot of people have seen the 2024 statistics on the top 500 firms. I haven't seen anything since. Even the link to Attorney Fee Payment Stats on this blog ends in 2023. I am curious to know if there is any place that does publish the list of firms with highest direct fee payments or something similar for 2025 and 2026.
Let's talk about VHRs. I am not sure why they exist. Just have the ALJ press a record button and eliminate VHRs. They are a nightmare to schedule, they don't show up, and they are expensive.
VE's are a joke, I don't know how they can live with themselves and do that job. ME's can be helpful if the client is very open and knows to tell them HOW their disability affects their job, not just rattle out a bunch of diagnosis. That tells the ME nothing about how it affects their work abilities, and that will show in their report.
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