nationwide referral network fall 2019 join ... - pond …
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N A T I O N W I D E R E F E R R A L N E T W O R K
Join in our Advantages.
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W H O W E A R E
Founded by partners Samuel Pond, Jerry Lehocky, David Stern and Thomas Giordano Jr., our law firm opened its first office in Philadelphia with six attorneys and only 22 staff members. We now have more than 40 attorneys and over 200 staff members across the country. We help clients with workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, employment law and short- and long-term disability matters. We also operate a successful nationwide referral network, helping Americans with all legal matters.
W H Y W E C A R E
Behind each case there’s a person depending upon us for help. We never lose sight of this fact. It’s this knowledge that drives us to put the needs of our clients first, always.
H O W W E P R A C T I C E
We have trial lawyers dedicated to delivering exemplary litigation and trial techniques in representing our clients. Our law firm offers holistic service to our clients, ensuring that all their legal needs are met.
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I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N
Building Our Network
Referral partnerships are crucial to the success of our law firm. That’s why it’s important to us to hear from you about what cases you need and any news you may want to share with our network. With more than 2,000 top referral partners in all 50 states, our network continues to get the best results nationwide.
N A T I O N W I D E R E A C H , P R O V E N R E S U LT S
Since opening our doors in 2010, we have referred 86,000 cases to referral partners in our network. Recently, we have stepped up our efforts to expand our network, resulting in more than 59,000 referrals in the last two years.
W H A T Y O U G E T
With our database of more than one million people, we quickly identify potential cases and reach out to prospective clients. The clients are matched with the most qualified partners within our referral network.
W H A T W E O F F E R
As a referral partner, you are set up with best-in-class legal technology—Litify. Litify will transform your firm into a more successful practice, automating referrals, intake, client management, marketing, documents, reporting and finance, all in a single, easy-to-use application. Our team trains you in this CRM application for high-performing results.
Adam GoldsteinVP/DIR. OF RELATIONSHIP DEV.
Samuel H. Pond, Esq.M A N AG I N G PA R T N E R
Shawn LehockyC H I E F ST R AT E GY O F F I C E R
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B E N E F I T S F O R C L I E N T S A N D A T T O R N E Y S
SSDI benefits can help clients stay afloat during the pendency of their cases. Under SSDI, a client may be eligible for up to $2,700 per month—more than $30,000 per year—depending on how much he or she paid into the system. In addition, the client would be entitled to receive Medicare two years from the date that he or she is found to be disabled.
Meanwhile, referring clients for SSDI helps attorneys fulfill their ethical duty to provide quality service. Moreover, SSDI can also help mass tort lawyers in two other ways— by providing an invaluable self-screening tool and by helping to soften the blow for those clients who do not meet the requirements for a mass tort case.
A H E L P F U L S C R E E N I N G T O O L
The SSDI application process can help you identify those mass tort clients with severe enough injuries to entitle them to compensation in their mass tort cases. In addition, depending on the severity of their conditions, they could start receiving benefits well before the MDL goes to trial or settles.
An SSDI referral could also be useful in handling clients whose cases do not make the cut. Often during mass tort litigation, evidence comes to light that disqualifies a client from pursuing their tort case. No attorney enjoys telling clients that they can no longer pursue their cases. An SSDI referral helps soften the blow.
N O E F F E C T O N L I T I G A T I O N
Referring clients for SSDI will have no effect on their mass tort cases. Clients can collect SSDI while receiving workers’ compensation benefits or while they are in litigation for any legal matter, including mass torts, personal injury or wrongful termination. Applying for SSDI will not affect their recorded. There are no offsets or liens for SSDI benefits.
There are set asides for Medicare recipients, but the benefits of receiving healthcare coverage most likely outweigh the deductions from any potential recovery.
N O T A ‘ H A N D O U T ’
It is important to remember that Social Security disability is not a public assistance program. It is a disability insurance program that pays benefits to those suffering from disabling medical conditions preventing them from working. It is funded by withholdings taken from every paycheck a worker has earned.
J O I N O U R N E T W O R K
While it is easy to see how many mass tort clients may already be eligible for SSDI, all other types of clients who have suffered severe injuries or illnesses may also qualify. So, consider referring your clients for an SSD evaluation and share in the advantages of our nationwide network.
S O C I A L S E C U R I T Y D I S A B I L I T Y
The Overlooked Tool for Mass Tort Clients
Many of your mass tort clients may already qualify for an important benefits program that can help them make ends meet while their cases are pending—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
However, not only is referring an SSDI case beneficial to the client, it could be advantageous to you as an attorney as well.
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I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N
Referring Cases
One of Pond Lehocky’s top priorities is securing Social Security disability (SSD) and short- and long-term disability clients in return for personal injury or other needed cases. Here are some of the key qualifying questions to ask to identify SSD clients: • Are you between the ages of 49 and 65? YES
• Have you seen a doctor within the past 12 months? YES
• Have you paid taxes five out of the last 10 years? YES
• Are you currently working? NO (Or yes but making less than $1,220 per month)
• Are you currently represented for SSD? NO
• Are you currently receiving SSD benefits? NO
S S D E L I G I B I L I T Y
For clients to be eligible for SSD, they must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disabled using a five-step process:
• Your client is out of work or earning less than $1,220 per month. • The medical condition prevents your client from working and has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or result in death.
• The medical condition meets the SSA’s requirements for that specific condition.
• Your client cannot perform the work done in the past.
• Your client cannot perform other types of work in the national economy.
LT D E L I G I B I L I T Y
Long-term disability (LTD) and short-term disability policies can either be offered by employers or purchased independently. Policyholders who become disabled and are no longer able to work can receive a portion of their salaries through these policies. We can assist clients who have short- and long-term disability policies and:
• Have had their claims denied. • Have had their benefits terminated.
• Have had their claims wrongfully delayed.
• Are no longer receiving benefits.
• Have received a low and unfair settlement.
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R E F E R R A L C A S E S
3M Earplugs
3M Company sold the government faulty dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2), which were standard-issue equipment for certain branches of the U.S. military until they were discontinued. 3M failed to disclose design defects that became apparent as early as 2000. The earplugs’ defects are likely to have caused significant hearing loss and tinnitus in thousands of soldiers who served from 2003 to 2015. After a whistleblower lawsuit initiated under the False Claims Act, 3M settled with the U.S. government for $9.1 million. The company has not admitted to any wrongdoing and has not accepted liability. If your client was a soldier between 2003 and 2015 and has experienced hearing loss or tinnitus, they may be eligible for compensation.
H E A R F R O M A C L I E N T
While serving in the Marine Corps, Vincent Carrano lost part of his hearing due to defective earplugs manufactured by 3M. He reached out to us and we referred himto a reliable firm within our network that is helping him with his product liability case. “I went into the Marine Corps in 2007 as an infantry rifleman. We were issued these 3M earplugs. When I found out they were ineffective, I was shocked. Because of the amount of gunfire we experienced, my eardrums eventually exploded. My experience with Pond Lehocky has been absolutely seamless, which is amazing because they’re doing this for me. And I trust Nick [Liermann] with my life. And I know that he and everyone here at Pond Lehocky is doing everything they can to support myself and veterans. I appreciate that, and I thank you.”
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T H E T E A M B E H I N D Y O U
Meet Your Account Managers
Your account managers are responsible for maintaining, growing and building relationships with our referral partners. They are your main points of contact with the firm and are here to accept requests for the kind of cases you need. They are also here to provide information about the legal services the firm offers and answer any questions you may have about our network. In addition, they can help teach you to use and navigate Litify.
B R E N D A N C O X
Brendan has been with Pond Lehocky for years. In addition to serving as an account manager for our referral partners, he is also the firm’s labor union liaison. A native Philadelphian, Brendan attended school in South Carolina, where he studied exercise and sports science. He can be reached at [email protected].
D E R E K L E H O C K Y
Derek is responsible for developing relationships with attorneys nationwide.Derek attended Thiel College, where he earned a degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the firm, Derek worked at Litify. He can be reached at [email protected].
P A U L P A O L E T T I
Paul has been with Pond Lehocky since the firm opened in 2010. He is responsible for developing relationships with attorneys across the country, He can be reached at [email protected].
What We Do
W O R K E R S ’ C O M P E N S A T I O N
If your clients get hurt on the job, they are entitled to appropriate compensation for their injuries.
S O C I A L S E C U R I T Y D I S A B I L I T Y
If your clients’ injuries, illnesses or disabilities keep them from working, they may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.
L O N G - T E R M D I S A B I L I T Y A N D S H O R T - T E R M D I S A B I L I T Y If your clients are disabled, unable to work and have a short-term disability or long-term disability policy, they are entitled to receive benefits.
E M P L O Y M E N T L A W
If your clients have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against at work or have other work-related issues, they are entitled to benefits.
A L L L E G A L M A T T E R S
We can help clients with all their legal needs, no matter the location. We partner with a network of successful, vetted attorneys across the county specializing in a wide variety of practice areas.