successfully defending and prosecuting franchise law claims on behalf of franchisors

Always Grateful

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation to other prospective clients of Quadrino Schwartz. I was a practicing General Dentist for 15 years when I began to have trouble with neck and arm pain. I was soon diagnosed with a Radiculopathy requiring rather invasive surgery. After exploring my surgical options and the risks associated, it was decided that I would take time off work to try to recover . My single doctor very busy practice simply could not stand to be left alone for more than a few weeks and the decision to sell the practice was made. Thinking that my disability policy would cover me during this time, I simply filled out the paperwork and submitted my claim. My insurance carrier did nothing for 6 months when they decided to simply deny my claim despite extensive medical documentation of my injury. I now knew I needed a lawyer to help me. Quadrino Schwartz was hired and Michail Hack took over my case. Despite me living thousands of miles away, from the very beginning his guidance was reassuring and he quickly developed a plan of action. The law firm continued to medically document my case, took over communication with the insurance company and let me concentrate on other things. After many phone conversations and countless letters written by the firm to my insurer, Quadrino Schwartz was able to obtain all of my benefits for me including 2 years of back pay. What I know now is that I should have sought out counsel from the beginning of my claim. I would encourage any dentist to look at their options when it comes to an attorney and ask simply do they have the experience to navigate what is likely the most important case of their lives. Mr. Hack and the firm simply knew exactly how to proceed from the very beginning and did so without hesitation. Hiring Quadrino Schwartz has made a huge difference to myself and my family and I am always grateful for all the hard work they put in for my case.

experience and success rate

After 20 years as an ER Doc I developed terrible insomnia and finally got a diagnosis of shift work sleep disorder, a relatively new illness. As there is no test specific to this illness, and given how new the whole field of sleep medicine was, I knew that filing a disability claim was going to be a challenge and that I would need professional help. I did some research and selected Schwartz Law to help me with the process. This choice was based on their experience and success rate in the area of disability law. I could not be happier with my choice. They helped me with every step of the very complicated process and today I received a settlement check. I can recommend Schwartz Law without reservation.

so very grateful

Thank you all so very much for everything that you’ve done (and continue to do) on my behalf. I selected your firm after my best friend vetted dozens of firms across the country on my behalf. It turns out to have been one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. I wasn’t exactly at my best when we got started on my case. But you all proved to be professionals in every sense, producing great results while balancing expertise with patience and compassion. I am so very grateful and would recommend you to anyone without reservation or qualification.

I will always be grateful

Michail Hack has been a Godsend to me and my family. When I became very sick a well-known insurance carrier denied my disability claim and refused to pay the benefit that I had purchased from my employer. I was unable to defend myself and very distraught after conferring with several law firms that were recommended by friends who were attempting to guide me. I was left without hope. Michail reviewed my situation and took the case. His professional approach and thoroughness resulted in a payment that was due from the start. Michail, his staff and their persistence were refreshing. He is a true professional. I will always be grateful for his efforts and the way he helped my family and me. He continues after 10 years to offer support and advise when needed. Thank you Michail

such a relief

Dear Michail: Thank you and your firm so much for adeptly handling my long-term disability claim. Not only were you able to overcome the initial insurance company denial but your work ultimately resulted in the insurance company buying out my claim. You and your paralegal, Ginny Wielgus, gathered and organized all of my medical evidence and wrote a beautiful brief to the insurance company where they, to my surprise, actually reversed their claim determination and started paying me. Due to the excruciating pain I live with daily, I could not continue as chief operating officer for the technology company I worked for; nor could I not muster the strength and energy required to fight the insurance company adequately. It was such a relief to have someone like you represent me in this battle.

blessed to have hired them

Thank you for successfully handling a long-term disability lawsuit for me. When I first spoke to Evan Schwartz, my insurance company was suing me for fraud and my current lawyer was telling me to give up my case against the insurance company and walk away from my claim or risk going to jail. But nothing about my case was fraudulent and I was disabled. Mr. Schwartz evaluated my case at no cost to me and told me that walking away would be a big mistake, that accusing me of fraud was nothing more than an insurance company strong-arm tactic, that I was entitled to money from the insurance company and I did not commit any fraud nor did I commit a crime. Mr. Schwartz and the firm agreed to take over my case on a contingency fee basis. Harold Levy, the principal attorney responsible for my case, was smart, aggressive, prompt and kept me in the loop about everything that was going on. Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Levy completely turned my case around and obtained a settlement for me on very favorable terms in a reasonably short amount of time. Mr. Levy and I have remained in contact as friends ever since. I was blessed to have found Quadrino Schwartz and blessed to have hired them to protect and enforce my rights to obtain the money the insurance company never would have paid me without them.. They lived up to their motto: “We make insurance companies keep their promises.”

the best advice

As Vice President of a large brokerage firm, I did anticipate having a problem with Hartford Insurance Company and, for that reason, I was advised to apply for long-term disability through a reputable law firm. It was the best advice I could have received and, if not for the efforts of Michail Hack and the firm, I would have had to fight for my rights and benefits all alone against a large insurance company. Thanks to Michail’s efforts I received all the benefits I was entitled to which made my life bearable through a difficult time with my disability. I would advise anyone who feels they need someone to represent them against a major insurance company to use Michail Hack and his firm.

strong, experienced, and dedicated

Applying for disability, even when the need has become obvious to both yourself and those around you, is not necessarily an easy decision. In my case it meant having to walk away from a long-term career that I loved, and, as is probably true for most people facing a disability and having to make a disability clam, a very real threat to the financial security of myself and my family had my claim been denied or unduly delayed. As an almost 30-year attorney, with considerable employee benefit law experience, I felt qualified to make and process my own claim. I was wrong. As I quickly discovered, the cruel twist to making a disability claim is that at the very point in time that you need to be at your very strongest, physically, emotionally, and financially, to protect your rights and the financial security of your family, you find yourself at your weakest and most vulnerable. It can be a very lonely and frightening time. The attorneys and staff at the Schwartz Law Firm understood this. Phone calls and emails were responded to in a prompt manner. My attorney was always available, even on short notice, to discuss my concerns. The attorneys and staff at Schwartz Law worked tirelessly with both my employer and medical care providers to both establish and file my claim, and got it approved in a timely manner. Not only the legal advice, but the practical advice I received from Schwartz Law, based on their decades of representing disability clients, proved invaluable. The best advice I could give anyone facing a similar situation is that you do not have to go it alone, nor should you. You need strong, experienced, and dedicated legal counsel to fight for your rights and the financial security of yourself and your family. I found that at the Schwartz Law Firm, and will be forever grateful for their assistance during a very difficult time in my life.

excellent, effective advocates

As former president and chief executive officer of a large, publicly traded company, I understand the need to hire good attorneys. When an illness prevented me from continuing to work and my long-term disability insurance companies started giving me a hard time, I knew it was time to find quality lawyers to protect my interests. Hiring Schwartz Law was an easy decision because Evan Schwartz clearly understood the issues I was facing with the insurance companies, and how best to manage them. He and his team, including Scott Harrigan and Ginny Wielgus, did an excellent job of understanding and overcoming all of the obstacles the insurance companies used to avoid paying me my benefits. They got me my benefits and I continue to receive them. They are excellent, effective advocates and I’m happy to have them on my side.

knowledge, commitment and compassion

During the most trying part of my life, Schwartz Law’s attorneys were fighting for my life. I was physically just barely up on my own two feet, with a diagnosis proving to be progressive and threatening my future capabilities. Being diagnosed and suffering with fibromyalgia and spinal issues, surely to get worse, I felt as if I stood on an island completely alone. In addition, personal issues arose that would put me in a very vulnerable position financially, with no assistance medically at home. My heart felt like it would give up the fight. For years, I fought the insurance company to get paid with the assistance of my partner, who no longer stood by my side consistently. Now, my island surely was isolated. I had Schwartz Law fighting for me in every possible way. My experience with an attorney on another front proved to be not only incompetent but didn’t value me as a person or a client. I certainly had to put all my faith in one place with many doubts whether anyone really had my back. Michail Hack, Evan Schwartz and their team proved all my fears to be unfounded. From the day I first met Mr. Hack, I was pretty sure he would value my situation and me. Circumstances arose mid-stream that would cause more doubt I would be taken care of the way I deserved. After losing my job, and my only personal support, and in declining health, I was not very hopeful, but Evan Schwartz, Michail Hack and Matthew Conroy fought even harder. I believe they fought for ME, as much as they wanted to be successful for the firm. With my personal circumstances becoming more difficult, they had to work harder at protecting me. I was discouraged and exhausted. I never dreamed Mr. Schwartz, Michail Hack and Matthew Conroy would rally around me, right to the successful end of this awful journey, and fight harder and with integrity and compassion to make sure I received the help I deserved. Their persistence and skill in my lawsuit forced a powerful Insurance Company to give in, an insurance company who until then was doing everything to make sure I would end up with nothing and completely indigent. The day we together settled my case was like having 3 angels sitting around me and. They made sure I received what I deserved and to feel I was completed protected by them. Their staff was professional, kind, efficient and always made me feel valued, from Lisa, Ginny, and Angela to every other member of the Schwartz Law team. I will always feel a bond with Mr. Hack, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Conroy… in addition to their staff. In the most challenging period of my life physically and emotionally, they were my rocks, filled with knowledge, commitment and compassion. I am forever grateful.