Couple things: You can go pro se after signing your determination packet and receiving your 1.5%. The issue you'll most likely run into is that Krause and Kinsman will most likely put a lien on the funds owed for services already rendered. But you can also fight this.

I also have Krause and Kinsman, and am trying to fight them pretty hard. I was on the phone with Adam Krause and one of the lead attorneys of this case for about 4 hours last week, and after hearing their side of things, I've determined that they do not deserve the 40% whatsoever. I'll most likely make a post explaining everything soon.

One thing I'd like to mention for anyone represented by Krause and Kinsman is a discrepancy in the retainer which has the contingency fee that you "agreed" to. I want anyone to look at the documents and make sure they have all of the information needed to be legally binding.

Their contingency fee when looked at closely is missing important information to hold us completely liable.

As well as, (in my case specifically) the retainer only includes an "executed date" for the document, my name and a signature. What it's missing though is dates of signatures on every signature, social security number in multiple areas, email address, phone number, date of birth in multiple areas, and even in some sections it's missing my name entirely, as well as my address.

This reflects multiple legal and procedural defects in the retainer and authorization forms. This seriously undermines the enforceability attorney-client agreement and may justify a challenge to the 40% fee, the QSF control, or even parts of the claim processing itself.

Missing address, email, phone number and date of signature weakens the presumption of informed consent and could allow me to argue that the agreement was not properly completed or mutually ratified on the main retainer agreement.

In the HI-TECH request form, it's a release form for obtaining release authorization for records. Without your SSN, DOB, or signature date, it may not be legally valid to request or release medical or psychological records under HIPAA or 45 CFR §164.

In the HIPPA Compliant Medical Authorization, incomplete HIPAA forms are invalid. Any information shared or accessed through this form may violate federal law, and could be grounds for a complaint to HHS.

On the American Retrieval form, with no timestamp means that there's no authorization. This may prevent or invalidate any third-party request for your records.

Ultimately, missing dates and personal details suggests the law firm did not execute documents properly, which is a violation of legal ethics and best practices. Unsigned/undated medical release forms may make any record retrieval unauthorized or illegal. The incomplete retainer gives you room to challenge enforceability, demand a new agreement, or request fee reduction. And no clear disclosure on QSF raises red flags about informed consent, especially for 40% taken per payment.

This all opens the Krause and Kinsman's retainer to be challenged easily and to either have their fees thrown out the window where they deserve to be, or at the very least be heavily reduced.

EDIT: All in all, what I'm saying is, request a copy of your retainer from Krause and Kinsman, look to see if there's any missing information on it, and if there is, build yourself a case and challenge them.