Long-Term Disability Lawyers
Long-Term Disability Claims
Even though you may not think about it often, you probably have long-term disability insurance. You may have this insurance through your employer or you may have purchased a contract on your own. Long-term disability insurance makes up the difference in income in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work, usually owing to an illness, an accident, or other injuries. If you are covered by a long-term disability policy, you may be entitled to benefits in the case of long-term disability.
What Are Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Why Your Claim Might Have Been Denied
Your Long-Term Disability Journey
What Are Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Long-term disability (LTD) benefit payments are made to individuals who are unable to work for an extended period of time owing to a disabling medical condition. LTD benefits may be provided through a variety of sources including private insurance policies, government disability insurance programs, and employer-sponsored group disability insurance plans.
Typically, LTD benefits will replace a portion of an individual’s lost wages and may provide additional funds to help cover the costs of medical treatment and other necessary expenses.
Why Your Claim Might Have Been Denied
If your LTD benefits have been denied, it can be frustrating and confusing. Insurance policies can be difficult to understand, which is why it is easy for an insurance company to use its own confusing language as an excuse for denying your claim. This is where you need a law firm experienced in handling these types of cases.
The most common reasons an insurance company may use to deny your long-term disability claim, include:
- Insufficient medical evidence.
- Missing physician’s report or medical records.
- Late claim submissions.
- Alleged lack of treatment or follow-up with treatment recommended by a physician
- Your insurer does not believe your condition is severe enough to qualify as a disability.
- Your insurer believes you could return to work with accommodations or in some other job.
- Your policy has exclusions.
- The insurer believes your disability is the result of a pre-existing condition.
- Your condition does not meet the policy’s definition of disability.
If your LTD benefits have been denied, contact J.J. Conway Law today. We will help you take appropriate action against your insurance company and help you secure the benefits that you are owed.
If you have been injured or become ill and are unable to work, the first step is to file a claim with your long-term disability insurance company. You will be required to provide medical evidence to support your claim, including diagnosis and treatment information from your doctor. This is a key step in the LTD process and most successful claims are handled by experienced legal counsel who works with clients at the time a claim is filed, as well as during the appeal process.
If you have been injured or become ill and are unable to work, the first step is to file a claim with your long-term disability insurer. You will be required to provide medical evidence to support your claim, including diagnosis and treatment information from your doctor.
Who Qualifies/Who We Work With
To qualify for long-term disability benefits, you must have a disabling injury or illness that prevents you from performing the essential duties of your job. Our law firm works with clients with a variety of conditions, including:
- Stroke and heart attack
- Accident injuries
- Chronic health or medical conditions
- Mental health conditions
- Musculoskeletal disorders
We work with clients in all occupations and professions. If you are not sure if we can help you, just call or write and we can answer your questions.
Your Long-Term Disability Journey
You may have been paying for long-term disability insurance coverage for years, but if you become disabled and need to file a claim, you may find that your insurer simply will not pay the claim.
Your Initial Claim
If you have been injured or become ill and are unable to work, the first step is to file a claim with your long-term disability insurer. You will be required to provide medical evidence to support your claim, including diagnosis and treatment information from your doctor.
Once the insurance company reviews your claim, they may offer a settlement that includes monthly payments for income replacement as well as coverage for medical costs related to your injury or illness.
In cases where an agreement cannot be reached between you and the insurance company on how much compensation should be paid each month, it may result in a lawsuit against the insurance company if they do not comply with state or federal law.
You’ve Been Denied, Now What?
If your LTD claim has been denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The best course of action is to contact an attorney who handles these types of claims.
The appeals process will vary depending on your insurance company, but you will typically be required to submit additional medical evidence to support your claim within six months of the denial.
Appeals can be complex and time-consuming, so working through them without legal counsel is not advisable. Without experienced legal counsel, your claim may be denied again. We can help. We can expedite the appeals process and work hard to put you in the best position for a favorable outcome.
Should You Pursue a Lawsuit?
If you think your long-term disability insurance claim has been wrongfully denied after an appeal, you may have the option to file a lawsuit or be required to arbitrate your claims.
Your first step is to consult with an experienced lawyer in this area of law. J.J. Conway Law has nearly twenty-five years of experience handling the most complex LTD cases. We will be able to help you determine if you are eligible for long-term disability benefits and advise on any potential lawsuits against your insurance companies.
However, when you decide to pursue a lawsuit, you should keep in mind that:
- You will need to prove that the insurance company acted improperly.
- You may be required to undergo a medical examination by a doctor chosen by the insurance company.
- The process can be lengthy, but we will work hand-in-hand with you to win your disability claim.
How We Can Help You
At J.J. Conway Law, we understand the stress and anxiety that comes with being denied what you believe you are rightfully entitled to. We also know how important these benefits are to you and your family.
Having helped our clients recover more than $65 million in benefits since 1999, we have a proven track record of success. In addition, our attorneys have decades of experience helping people just like you get back on their feet again after a debilitating injury or illness.
Contact us today online or on the phone at 313-961-6525 to schedule a consultation!
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Please note that by contacting our office you understand that this communication is for informational purposes only. Any legal representation by our office requires a signed written agreement establishing a lawyer-client relationship. Thank you, again, for contacting us.