Long-Term Disability Denials

Don't Stop at a Denial:

man with permanent disability denied disability benefits

 

Get the Long-Term Disability Benefits You Deserve

If you are struggling to work or keep a full-time job because of a long-term physical or mental health condition, and you have long-term disability (LTD) coverage, you should apply for disability benefits. LTD insurance is designed to supplement your income if you become unable to work.  Many policies provide short-term disability benefits (for an initial period of time) followed by LTD benefits.  Generally, LTD coverage will pay around 60% of your income should you become disabled long-term and can no longer perform your job or a similar job.  Be aware, however, that your claim will likely be initially denied.  The good news is that is usually not the final answer.  You purchased LTD insurance for one reason: to provide you with financial assistance if you became disabled long-term and were unable to work. If your claim for LTD benefits has now been denied because your LTD insurance company is claiming you are not disabled, disputing your inability to work, or just treating you unfairly, you have rights. Here is what you need to know about your LTD benefits and why you need a disability attorney fighting for your rights.

What you need to know:

You don't know the rules and they can be used against you. A LTD insurance policy is meant to provide you with a portion of your income when you are no longer able to work due to a long-term injury or illness. But your LTD insurance company is in the business of making a profit and they have incentive to try to pay you less than you are entitled on your claim for LTD benefits. Your insurance company may try to deny your claim based on loopholes in your policy that you were never even aware of. They may try to gather evidence from you in the form of statements, records, even medical examinations that can be used to downplay your injuries or your claimed inability to work and deny your claim. There are also often many types of insurance involved in a long-term disability situation Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, health insurance, life insurance, etc.—which all have to be coordinated together, some even subrogated (offset) against one another, and your LTD insurance company may take advantage of your lack of knowledge of the policy, the law, and the rules at play to try to pay less on your LTD claim.

You don't know the value of your LTD benefits claim.The value of your claim for long-term disability benefits is often governed by many factors, including settlements from previous cases and federal law. Unless you are familiar with these different factors and the applicable law, it is very difficult to assess what you should expect from your LTD claim. If you do not know the law and how to properly calculate the LTD benefits that you are entitled to under your policy, you may unknowingly accept less benefits than you deserve.

You don't need any more stress. Coping with the stress that comes along with an accident or illness that causes you to become disabled long-term and unable to work the way that you did before is emotionally and mentally draining. Adding onto that the stress of dealing with an insurance company that is trained, equipped and motivated to exhaust you during the claims investigation process will only increase your frustration and focus your energies away from adapting to your new way of life in the best, most healthy way possible. At Taylor, Warren, Weidner & Hancock, we are experienced and skilled at battling the insurance company to get the benefits you deserve. Let us take the burden of fighting your LTD insurance company off your hands so you can focus on coping and moving forward.

Helpful Links and Resources

Helpful article from the Florida Department of Health on disability determinations.

Learn about Florida's insurance regulations and requirements governing long-term care insurance.

Helpful article from the University of Florida's Human Resources department "Demystifying Disability Insurance."

Read Florida law on long-term care insurance policies.

Florida Department of Management Services' guide to State Group Disability Income.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' guide to Navigating Long-Term Care Insurance.

Read about the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program.

The disability attorneys at Taylor, Warren, Weidner & Hancock, P.A. know the complicated ins and outs of disability law and know how to handle your LTD claim to make sure you get all of the disability benefits you are entitled to. Don't let your lack of knowledge of the law and the pitfalls hinder your ability to collect everything you are entitled to. If you have questions about your rights regarding an LTD claim, give us a call at (850) 438-4899. We will never charge you any fee or cost to inform you of your legal rights. 

We offer free confidential consultations to analyze your unique conditions and circumstances.  Do not give up.

Free Consultation

We never charge any fee or cost for an initial consultation to explain your rights. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or have question about an insurance claim, contact us.

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