A few helpful facts about long-term disability claims

The benefit of long-term disability insurance is often offered by an insurance company or employer.  It includes monthly payments to covered workers who cannot perform their work duties due to medical reasons.   

Most often, a long-term insurance care policy will require the policyholder to apply for Social Security benefits.  Benefits will usually be reduced depending upon other sources of income such as Social Security disability, worker’s compensation, or accumulated retirement or sick leave.  Our attorneys can help you with the process of filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits or Worker’s Comp.  

Even though your disability might have begun as a short-term disability, it has now turned into an extended, long-term disability that has led you to be impaired to the point of being unable to work.  We will guide you through the process of recovering long-term disability benefits by documenting your disability.

In the event that you are denied benefits, it’s always a good idea to file an appeal.  We assist clients with the appeals process as well as clients who were approved at first and then later had their benefits stripped of them.  If you have lost benefits or are currently seeking an appeal to a decision, our attorneys can help.  We have years of experience in disability benefits applications and appeals.  

Get a copy of your policy

You should obtain the policy itself before even thinking about filing a claim.  Your employer’s human resource department will send you a plan and its descriptions.  If your policy is an individual one, contact your insurer.  Request all relevant documents and go over them carefully.

Disability policies involve stringent deadlines relating to filing the initial application and any subsequent appeals.  Missing a single deadline allows an insurer to deny your claim regardless of all other factors, so be sure to submit everything on a timely basis.

Defining a disability

While no single definition of disability exists, it’s generally defined by insurers as being unable to perform the duties of one’s own occupation due to injury or illness.  This often means that you only need to prove that you cannot do your particular job, although certain policies do define disability as in inability to work at all.

Obtain medical evidence to support your claim

Opinions of your doctor coupled with documented medical records will be two of the most important pieces of evidence for your case.  After filing a claim, your insurance company will do these things themselves.  Ask to see your claim file for yourself so you can ensure all necessary information is present.

Ask your doctor to write a note that contains details about your medical history and current limitations.  Do not sit back and rely on the insurance company to do anything for you.  Be sure your doctor gives specific medical details as to why you have been disabled.

If you have a long-term disability claim to file, or have been denied benefits and need to appeal, contact our skilled and dedicated attorneys today.

  

 

Sources:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html

http://www.philadelphiadisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/disability-insurance-overview/

 

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