Ford, et al. v. Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting, LLC

A federal judge certified three classes of veterans who have accused a North Carolina business of charging illegal fees for disability claim filing assistance, finding there are “overarching common questions of law” that apply to the thousands of potential class members.

Plaintiffs Jennifer Ford, Eric Beard, and Brian Otters are disabled military veterans who retained the defendant, Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting LLC, to assist them in obtaining or increasing their disability compensation. Federal law restricts those who may assist veterans in preparing, presenting, and prosecuting claims for benefits before the Veterans Administration to persons or entities meeting specific qualifications and accreditation requirements.

The plaintiffs contend that Guardian violates federal law by offering these services without accreditation and that it charges illegal fees in violation of the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the North Carolina Debt Collection Act.

Per Judge U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles’ opinion, the certified classes consist of veterans who had a consulting contract with the company under which they paid for help in filing an initial claim for disability benefits, assistance with increasing their monthly disability payments, and veterans who were invoiced and paid Veterans Guardian the allegedly illegal fees.

Read more about the case:

• Veterans Win Class Certification In Disability Claims Fee Fight, Law360 (January 2, 2026). Read more here.

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