Identify the Reason for Your Complaint

Before filing a formal complaint, it’s important to clearly understand the nature of the issue you have with your attorney. Some common reasons people file complaints against Social Security Disability attorneys include:

• Poor communication: The attorney fails to keep you updated about your case or does not respond to your calls or emails.
• Incompetence: The attorney doesn’t provide adequate legal advice or fails to meet deadlines, resulting in delays or harm to your case.
• Unethical behavior: This can include conflicts of interest, fraudulent actions, or failing to act in your best interest.
• Overcharging or fee disputes: If the attorney has charged you more than the agreed-upon fees or failed to explain the fee structure clearly.
• Negligence or malpractice: If the attorney’s actions, or lack thereof, negatively impact the outcome of your Social Security Disability case.

Attempt to Resolve the Issue Directly

Before filing a formal complaint, it’s often beneficial to try and resolve the issue directly with the attorney. Here’s how you can approach the situation:

• Reach out to your attorney: Contact your Social Security Disability attorney and explain your concerns. Sometimes, miscommunication or misunderstandings can be resolved through open dialogue.
• Request a meeting: If you haven’t been able to communicate effectively, request an in-person meeting to discuss the issues you’re facing.
• Document your communications: Keep a record of all interactions, including emails, phone calls, or meetings, to ensure that you have a paper trail of your attempts to resolve the issue.

If you still feel that your concerns are not being addressed or that the situation is serious enough to warrant formal action, filing a complaint is the next step.

Contact the State Bar Association

If your issue cannot be resolved directly with the attorney, the next step is to contact the State Bar Association where the attorney is licensed to practice law. Each state has its own disciplinary board responsible for investigating complaints against attorneys. Here’s how to proceed:

• File a formal complaint: Visit the website of your state’s bar association, where you will find guidelines on how to file a complaint. Most state bar associations provide an online form for filing complaints.
• Provide necessary information: Be prepared to provide detailed information, including your attorney’s name, your case details, a description of the issue, and any supporting documents (such as emails, contracts, or correspondence).
• Follow the process: Once a complaint is filed, the bar association will review your complaint and determine whether the attorney has violated any professional conduct rules. The process can take time, so be patient.

Report to the Social Security Administration (SSA)

If your Social Security Disability attorney has engaged in fraud, misconduct, or unethical behavior related to your disability claim, you can also report the issue directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA):

• Contact the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG): The SSA OIG investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse related to SSA programs. If your attorney is involved in fraudulent behavior, you can file a complaint with the SSA OIG.
• Report misconduct: To file a complaint, you can visit the SSA OIG website and submit a report online or contact their hotline.

Explore Other Legal Options

In cases of severe misconduct or malpractice, you may also want to consider other legal actions:

• Legal malpractice lawsuit: If you believe your attorney’s incompetence or negligence caused you financial harm or negatively affected your case, you may consider filing a legal malpractice lawsuit. This should be done with the assistance of another attorney who specializes in legal malpractice cases.
• Seek alternative legal representation: If you are unhappy with your current attorney, it’s your right to switch to another Social Security Disability attorney. If you choose to change lawyers, be sure to notify your original attorney in writing and ensure that the transition is smooth so that your case can continue without delays.