In the past few decades, an entire disability-industrial complex has emerged. It has just one goal: Push more people onto disability. And, sometimes, it seems like the government is outmatched. This is especially true in the legal system, NPR reports. Daytime TV in many places is full of ads from lawyers who promise to fight the government and win the disability benefits 'you deserve.'
There is one man who takes much of the credit for this industry: Charles Binder. Most people who applied for disability were denied and never had a hearing. Binder, and the lawyers who followed him, changed that. "I've created some of the problems for the government because so many people appeal," Binder says.
When he started in 1979, Binder represented fewer than 50 clients. Last year, his firm represented 30,000 people. Last year, Binder and Binder made $68.7 million in fees for disability cases. Full report here. [Thanks: BJS]
There is one man who takes much of the credit for this industry: Charles Binder. Most people who applied for disability were denied and never had a hearing. Binder, and the lawyers who followed him, changed that. "I've created some of the problems for the government because so many people appeal," Binder says.
When he started in 1979, Binder represented fewer than 50 clients. Last year, his firm represented 30,000 people. Last year, Binder and Binder made $68.7 million in fees for disability cases. Full report here. [Thanks: BJS]
