United Disability Lawyers Group James GannonGlenn SaksAffiliate attorneys Bait and switch, They claim they are there to help you...they claim. Pathetic immoral people. Liars. Victorville CA - California

This organization was contacted to help obtain Social Security benefits. I didn't do research prior to allowing them to represent my case. I, though, came to them prepared. I had records from two hospitalizations for Congestive Heart Failure, as well as clinical notes from Primary Care Physicians, Cardiologists, and Internal Medicine Physicians. In addition, Orthopedic Physicians and Pain Management Physicians that I see for two areas in back that cause severe pain. Both Dr's.wrote detailed reports on my back condition. On top of all this, I had started to see Psychiatrists and also psychologists due to depression that had set in due to my multitude of ailments. But, I came United Disability Lawyers

Group (UDLG) with every kind of report imaginable. The heart condition was shown over 5 years of medical records. The Back condition over 4 years. The psychological condition detailed over 18 months at the beginning of this garbage venture. My only set back was that I did not have alot of work history that was documented. I served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years and after that, I had for many years worked as a male stripper and basically raised a family on what $ was placed on various areas of my body. (Just telling it truthfully). The woman I have loved for 33 years also worked. Now UDLG use to also work out of Providence, Rhode Island, which should have thrown up the firstred flag. I was given my

contact person, who was said to be a paralegal out of that East Coast Office...I live in Southern California. So to my dismay, contact was near impossible. For one, they just would not answer their phones. Second, the three hours time difference caused havoc. But no one ever switched my case to the Canoga Park office...probably because it is within the travel by car proximity. Additionally, I guess what they call a paralegal, most of us call Customer Service Representatives or receptionist. I say that because on one of the times I was able to get in contact, the "??paralegal??" did not even know what a "consultative exam" was? Yes, I was the nice guy and taught her alot of terminology that day. In that, it is

expressed that "Any" contact from Social Security to myself should be made known to UDLG immediately. Well I had received an appointment letter for a third consultative exam with all three being with thevsame fly by night clinic, referencing all three impairments. I let the Customer Serv...I mean Paralegal know about this and asked for further instruction. Now kudos to the paralegal, for in the course of one business day, I received three phone calls. The first was from Glenn Saks, a UDLG touted attorney. Glenn Saks told me to "not" go to the appointment as I had overly sufficient documentation of my impairments, notwithstanding the two other exams that I had completed. I was actually upbeat at

hearing that my documentation was excellent. That is until a few hours later, Glenn Saks calked again and said that he had spoke without looking further into my file. Glenn Saks stated that he was unaware that I had 3 listed impairments and therefore I needed three different exams. However, I explained that in each of the two previous exams, each impairment was given its own scheduling by name and by time. Glenn Saks could not understand what I was saying and told me Social Security does not do exams like that. I rebutted that in my voluminous and impeccable collection of records and correspondence with all involved, I maintained the appointment letters, and that I could scan them and email to him if he

would like to see them. He answered yes, but stated that I should go to the exam anyway. I accepted the answer and the conversation ended. In what couldn't have been more than 30 minutes, James Gannon (top dog) called and told me basically what Glenn Saks had in his first call. That is, I need not go to the exam because there was ample documentation on file. I then told James Gannon about the two other calls from Glenn Saks earlier in the day. James Gannon played it off by stating that he was just tieing up some loose cases that were on Glenn Saks desk, as he had left early for the day. Thus, the final verdict I received was to "not" go to the exams..."why keep giving them chances to deny you?" Those

words from James Gannon still can be heard verbatim and with clarity. (This later almost derailed everything before it started) Now Social Security denied me saying I did not meet the requirements for the impairment. Now, the conditions of the heart contain many numerical values that I do not understand. Thus, I took a printout to an appointment with Cardiologist to which he most emphatically stated I indeed fell within the guidelines. He even took the matter into his own hands and called UDLG to see how he could assist. He was told that they would send a form for him to complete referencing my heart condition. At this time, I am just waiting for Admistrative Judge hearing. But, in that the small

amount of income that I would receive would still be a blessing that would help immensely, I continued to call periodically, just to ease my own mind. My Rhode Island paralegal type person gave me reassurance that my case was open and close especially with UDLG on the case. (When I first contacted UDLG, under the website tab "about us," there was a listing of about 7 or 8 attorney, broken down into geographical areas which noted that Southern California was represented by a Betty Yee, with all the accolades they could bestow upon her. This is now gone, replaced by the self aggrandizement of James Gannon and his partner in crime. No Betty Yee, Glenn Saks and if I remember correctly, there

was another attorney with the last name Saks, I could be mistaken though). Still, no attorneys are listed, as well as now I see a caveat placed on the website that UDLG is an affiliation of attorneys, and that cases can be sent to affiliates. Though it is stated that in doing so, this information will be made known. This was not there previously, nor was any new information sent to me nor an addendum to contract entered into accepted. I relocated to a different address, but made all this known to UDLG and Social Security Administration. (Spent 4 hours ar SS office to effect change of address). USPS change of address also completed. On the date the hearing was scheduled, I arrived an hour early and took a seat in the

waiting area. I watched as people came out of a hearing room to which a Mr. Mueller was the hearing officer, all smiling and pleased that they felt they were approved. The hearing officer Mueller even came out to wish 1 person luck in life. I visited the little kiosk where you could view the documentation entered on your case. I am thankful I did not have a heart attack right there. What I found, I guess as a healthier man, I might have gone balistic. But I am not 100% nor 60% healthy. I have a very serious heart disease that makes me just hope I see 60 years of age. The documentation that I was so proud of, in chronological order by each dr, by each impairment, the same that I had spent over $100 in ink

cartridges so I could give to UDLG at their request, was incomplete. Now my case was initiated by UDLG to which they applied with Social Security, to which I was led to believe that my documentation was used, was seen as impeccable and sufficient, was demonstrative in proving my case was haphazard. A few pages here and there but not in any order. No letter from Cardiologist nor the orthopedic dr. I would estimate that less than 5% of the documentation I had supplied UDLG from the beginning was showing within this system. I walked out of the kiosk almost in tears, but holding onto the hopes that I used the system wrong or that it was just an oversight and the highly touted Betty Yee would come to save

me with a wheelbarrow full of medical records. I sat back down and just hoped. I heard my name called and looked up to a young lady of about 25 years old. She handed me a business card and motioned me to an attorneys conference room. Inside, she explained hiw she couldn't find the hearing office and therefore she was running late. Then the hammer...She took out a contract and explained that she was an affiliate and that I needed to sign the contract before she could represent me, or I could say no and she could get an extention and new hearing date. Hindsight is 20/20!!! I should have said no, but I didn't. My overwhelming thought at the time was hope that I didn't have a heart attack and the witnessing of

the file documentation I had reviewed. I read the contract (the attorney stated she could not discuss my case without a signed contract). I had never been through this Social Security system. I am not a lawyer. I am not even the sharpest tool in the shed. I was just scared now. I read the contract though I know I did not comprehend it. I do remember it was about the $$$$ That percentage of backpay, etc. With that done, the attorney took out a small file and a legal pad. She stated that James Gannon had called her around 2 a.m. and bestowed the case upon her. She told me that she was unfamiliar with my impairments and in the 10 minutes until my hearing, could I give her an overview of the case. Oh, but

leave out any personal medical opinions or "woe is me," conclusions. I began to give her an overview, but came to my senses and told her that I did not feel that she was even remotely prepared, couple that with the missing documentation that was seen at the kiosk, and thus I did not want to continue. I was told that since I had signed the contract, by law, she could not just void it...she said it was a requirment per the Bar regulations. I told her that it wasn't until I signed the paper that I realized how unprepared she was. She than told me that, she would tell the hearing officer and he could let me out of the representation. Well, the hearing officer asked her if she felt she could represent me legitimately, to which

she said yes she could. The hearing officer never asked me a question and even silenced me with the assertion that "anything I say could be used against me in any Administrative hearing..." I thought Miranda applied to criminal law only...oh well I have never been in a law class. So with no way of explaining my plight, I stated that I just wanted to leave because I was having some minor chest pain. Hearing officer Mueller in San Bernardino, Ca (I refuse to call him judge) told me if that be the case, I would automatically be rejected (They supposedly tape these hearings, but how to obtain a copy is a mystery!!!) Well the actual hearing started, and the first item of business was that I had failed to show at a

consultative exam. (I really want to use descriptive words here). I informed Mueller that I had been directed by James Gannon, who at the time was my supposed council, to not attend the exam. At this, Muelker began to berate me with all types of venomous and vitriolic words. I was called a liar and that I was fabricating my condition. (It should be known that as a younger man, I maintained a body that was lean yet mucular and henceforth, I still have a semblance of that body. I have to eat carefully because of my illness and so one could not tell I had a weak heart from outward appearance...Mueller was just a tired, angry, miserable person). Under this duress, I offered that since I had known this

attorney that was representing me for about 45 minutes, that maybe a phone call to James Gannon for clarification might assuage the situation. This was denied, though Mueller said he would allow the case to proceed. Under questioning, it became evident that Mueller was looking for anything he could to reject my case. He couldn't believe that I have been with the same woman for 33 years..we have 3 children (1 is a niece that has been ours since her parents both died when she was 11 months). Muelker felt that there was no way a woman would stay with a man that made $ as I did. It was either I was lieing or she was an embicile, or that she was just really ugly. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong. She just knew I loved

her so much that I only wanted her. Infidelity never even had the slightest thought in my mind. Maybe Mueller wasn't capable of this, but I was. Mueller than stated that drugs and that type of employment go hand in hand and thus was the reason for my heart condition. Yet, in all my hospitalizations, there is documentation of urinalysis done looking for a cause. All were negative. I smoked marijuana at 16 years old and that is the totality of use. I never even used Human Growth Hormones (HGH). I was all natural, with emphasis on garlic, Serrano chili peppers and oatmeal as my dietary secrets. Through all of this, the joke of a representative said nothing. She was to engrossed on her fingernails. Now the

vocational expert was a doozy. He claimed that I could work as a stripper still (o.k.). Also, I could be employed as a liaison for people caught in human trafficking...which I would like to do indeed, but I have since looked at the qualifications and most jobs want a Masters Degree and at the vary least, a Bachelor's degree. I have a high school diploma. In the Navy, I was did key punch for computers (SPxKp), to which computers today do not use, yet I was given an employment possibility as a computer programmer. (???) I guess I could also be a Social Security hearing officer, vocational expert or even an attorney, because what I was seeing doesn't take to much education. No, I just read alot. I

mean alot. Well, the hearing finally ended and as I exited the hearing room, in the lobby sat my dad who had shown up just for support. I am glad he did because I have never hit a woman, but that was surely jeopardized that day. My dad could see that I was stressed and angry, so much that he drove me home and returned later with my uncle to retrieve my car. Digressing, the attorney approached me and explained that if I was denied that she felt I had a good case on appeal and that she was "??willing??" to do it. I indeed was denied. Now once the denial came in the mail, I began researching other attorneys to file again. I believe, no I know I have found one that is doing a fine job. She is about her own ability,

not a tag-along affiliate. Two weeks do not go by in which she is not in touch. She filed the new case and even sat down with me and went through my medical records. She was impressed at the at the neatness and even asked if I had obsessive compulsive disorder...the pages upon pages are stacked straight and perfect as well as having clarity in the structure of the filing. She even asked if I could come into her office and do the copying because she did not want to disturb the neatness. I still told her she could take the files and in that I saw she recognized the pride I took in them, she would take care of them. I received them back in a week. Ending this, and to fortify how crooked UDLG is, I received a

letter recently from James Gannon who said that my they had took my case to the appeals coucil and got rejected. It also explained that they would love to file my case again, because it was an easy case to win. Now, if I have a new case filed, to which I have been to a consultative exam as well as interviewed by the medical unit agent in San Diego, California, how is it that my case withUDLG was still open for the review by the appeals council? Can you have two open cases at the same time? Anyone planning to use this sevice from United Disability Lawyers Group....run, run, run. By some raid and spray yourself because they are cockroaches. You are better off going it alone, because UDLG actualky is a detriment.

They are smooth talkers and will make you feel like you are their only case...until they pull that switch and you wind up in a worse situation than you started. They are about attrition. They get as many suckers as they can, and as the old saying goes..."even a blind squirrel find a nut every now and then." Do not use!!!