What Does Attorney Vammen Charge For Services?
The terms and conditions of representation shall be as follows:
1) There will be no attorney's fee unless the claimant is awarded benefits.
2) If the Social Security Administration favorably decides the claim at any stage through the initial Administrative Law Judge determination, the attorney's fee shall be the lesser of either 25% of retroactive benefits for the claimant and 25% for his/her dependents or the cap allowed by the Social Security Administration (currently $6,000.00 but subject to increase) at the time of the decision. It is understood that the foregoing is intended to provide, in essence, a two-tiered fee structure:
a. If the claim is decided favorably at or below the level of the initial Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determination, I will pay my representative a fee equal to the lesser of 25% of my past due benefits or the dollar amount established pursuant to section 206(a)(2)(A), which is currently $6000.00 but which may be increased from time to time by the Commissioner of Social Security;
b. If the claim progresses beyond that level, the attorney may request a fee based upon the attorney's time at an hourly rate approved by the Social Security Administration, not to exceed 25% of the back benefits.
3) The fee limitation provided above does not include any fees which Social Security may be ordered to pay under the Equal Access to Justice Act for representing the claimant in cases filed in Federal Court. Claimant agrees to assign any and all attorney's fees and expenses, including filing fees, awarded by the Court in my federal court action under the Equal Access to Justice Act to his/her attorney, Fritzie M. Vammen.
4) The claimant will notify the attorney as soon as the claimant receives any money from Social Security. If Social Security has not withheld the 25% directly from the claimant's back benefits, the claimant will remit 25% of back benefits to be held in escrow until fee approval by Social Security.
5) The claimant will be responsible for the costs of obtaining any evidence in his/her case, including copy costs, and physician report costs. The costs are not included in the attorney's fees.
6) The attorney will represent the claimant to the best of her knowledge and ability so long as in her judgment there remains a reasonable hope of success.
7) The attorney will keep the claimant promptly apprised of all developments in the case and make every effort to help the claimant understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings.
8) The attorney will make every effort to expedite the case and obtain a favorable decision at the earliest possible date.
9) The attorney may withdraw from representation at anytime. In such event, however, she will:
a) withdraw from the case by written notice to the presiding officer of the forum in which the case is then lodged,
b) upon due request, provide a copy of the file to the claimant or his/her duly authorized attorney, and
c) charge no fee, and the claimant will owe the attorney nothing except for costs.
If you have questions regarding fees or services, please contact out firm at 501-205-0581 or toll free at 877-215-0151
