Actually, I don't have enough money to make me a target for any attorney with an IG above the double digits!

My caution is more ignorance based: the sort of situation you're in tends to include surprises, even for very experienced service guys.

I would recommend checking the hydrostatic valve, simply because it's (a) a likely cause, and (b) one that can be repaired. Some of the other possibilities involve MAJOR expenses and demolition. In those cases, pool owners often end up abandoning their main drains.

On a positive note, the mere fact that you've repeatedly had water enter the pool via the hydrostatic valve greatly increases the chance that that valve IS the problem.