I had filed everything that the SSDI required. I was denied. I appealed and was denied again. I thought...now what do I do? As I began searching for legal help, an attorney that specializes in Lyme Disease highly recommended Richard Gutstadt's firm and Eric Patrick whom she had met before. I called and went to a free consultation to see if, indeed, I had a chance for help. We met and reviewed my material and he said he would represent me. I was thrilled! Someone finally heard me. The hearing process takes longer than it used to (it's yr. 2017), as the Federal Gov't pulled a great deal of funding, so this means less people to do more work. The courts were without the help they needed. But Mr. Patrick kept collecting information and when I had questions, I got answers. When Mr. Patrick wasn't there Mr. Gutstadt easily found where they were in the process and what information that I submitted that didn't seem to make it to the 2nd appeal. Nice catch! The communication between them is not only refreshing but really essential, and reassuring. I had made the right choice in legal representation. When the day of the hearing arrived, we went into the small court room. I realized that Mr. Patrick made a point of taking note of the differences of each of the judges personalities and what course of action worked best. He reassured me of this process, and then when the experts involved in my evaluation began to make assumptions and group me into categories I didn't belong, this is when I saw what Mr. Patrick does best and he shined. He spoke up and corrected each point throughout the hearing. Mr. Patrick and Mr Gutstadt know the law, how to explain it so I completely understood what was happening and when I was not only awarded a very decent monthly amount, but also 2 years of back pay. Mr. Patrick was subtle but spot on, and caught the ball every time. Thank you Mr. Patrick and Mr. Gutstadt (who was not my court attorney) for your crossing those important "t"s and dotting every single "i" with the utmost professionalism.
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