Author: Peter H. Burke

Recover the Benefits You Deserve – Call Our LTD Attorneys
Much like car insurance, long term disability coverage is something that many of us take for granted, or never expect to need. If you are ever seriously injured or become disabled and are unable to work, your long term disability benefits may be the only thing keeping your family afloat. Unfortunately, your insurer does not always have your best interests in mind; in fact, most insurance companies are focused on limiting payouts and protecting their bottom line, rather than helping their clients.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, we take exception to insurance companies who refuse to honor their commitments. With more than 50 years of experience, our insurance bad faith attorneys have the knowledge needed to help you hold your insurance company responsible for the benefits you are entitled to under your LTD program.

Our LTD Attorneys will Fight to Help You Recover the Benefits You Deserve
When you are injured or disabled, dealing with an insurance company can be frustrating and exhausting, especially when they refuse to acknowledge your legitimate claim for benefits. Our staff believes that insurance companies should be held accountable for bad faith practices, or denying claims without reason or to protect their bottom line.

By guiding you through the process of filing an ERISA lawsuit, we will help you put your claim into the hands of a federal judge who will make a ruling on your benefits. This step eliminates the insurance company’s influence on your claim, and allows you to receive an independent decision on your case. We will help you prepare your claim to the smallest detail to give the judge every piece of information needed to make an educated ruling based on the facts of your case.

Ending Bad Faith Practices
While we are wholly committed to helping you obtain the long term disability benefits you are entitled to, we also believe that it is important to end bad faith practices by insurance companies. To do so, we will explore the option of filing a bad faith lawsuit on your behalf; under this civil proceeding you may be able to recover additional money for your mistreatment. If many cases involving bad faith practices on behalf of a particular insurer exist, we may be able to file a class action lawsuit on behalf of several plaintiffs.

LTD Attorneys Can Help with Own Occupation Disability Claims
When you own a business or have a profession that requires you to fund your own long term disability program, the process of making a claim for benefits can carry challenges that individuals filing a claim under an employer funded plan never face. In many cases, your insurance carrier may deny your claim simply because they do not want to pay you, and they feel that you do not have the leverage of an individual enrolled in a group plan may have.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, we understand the frustration associated with own occupation claims denials; you’ve faithfully paid your premiums only to be turned away when you need the benefits you are entitled to. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our self-funded LTD claims attorneys have the knowledge needed to help you understand the benefits you are entitled to, your rights as a policy holder and your options for pursuing your benefits.

Evening the Playing Field during Your Search for Benefits
Without an employer backing you during your benefits claim process, it can be incredibly difficult to obtain the financial support you’ve paid for and are entitled to. Fortunately, you do not have to face your claim alone; our staff has the skill and insight needed to guide you through every step involved in filing an initial claim or appealing a claim that has already been denied.

More than legal advice, we offer you a distinct advantage during your quest for long term disability benefits. With us in your corner, your insurance carrier will likely take a more detailed look at your claim before making a decision. Additionally, if history is any indicator, many insurers would rather pay a benefit claim than go through the expense of defending against an ERISA lawsuit. In short, our mere presence in your camp will make the insurance company take notice, and will prevent them from denying your claim simply because they don’t want to pay.

Call our LTD Attorneys to Discuss Your Own Occupation Claim
When you have been injured or are unable to work due to a disability, facing a long term disability claim alone can be a frightening proposition, especially when you do not have an employer or human resources department to turn to for advice. Having a competent LTD claims attorney in your corner can be an effective way to cut through the red tape standing between you and the benefits you so desperately need.

Our staff offers our representation on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we do not charge any legal fees unless we are successful in helping you obtain the benefits you are entitled to. We also offer free consultations to give you the chance to discuss your case without obligation.

Skilled Long Term Disability Lawyers Offering Support
You Aren’t Alone – Call our LTD Insurance Attorneys
While you probably never dreamt that you would need to file a claim under your long term disability insurance policy, knowing that you have support should you need it is always helpful. When it does become necessary to file a claim, you expect your insurance company to keep their end of the bargain and pay you the benefits you are entitled to; after all, you’ve paid all of your premiums and worked hard to earn your coverage. Unfortunately, many insurance companies deny a large percentage of claims, sometimes on the grounds that they simply do not wish to pay.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, we know how difficult it can be to deal with insurance companies, especially when you are relying on them for financial support while you are unable to work. Our disability attorneys have learned several strategies for dealing with insurance companies, and have successfully assisted countless clients during their search for LTD benefits.

LTD Attorneys with Proven Methods Dealing With Insurance Companies
Our firm believes that when dealing with insurance companies, you should always:

Keep detailed notes of your interactions
Maintain a record of phone calls, e-mails and letters
Compile all of your medical records and doctors’ notes
Be sure to understand your coverage policy
Keep them informed of changes to your condition
Remember that you have the right to independent medical care
Stand up for your rights – do not be intimidated into dropping your claim
Note that it’s possible to file an initial claim, but it’s much easier with a lawyer
Hire an attorney if you have had your claim denied
While many people choose to file an initial claim for long term disability benefits without legal counsel, the process can be confusing and difficult, especially when you are in pain. We suggest hiring an attorney to help with your claim, especially if you have received notice that your initial claim has been denied.

Our staff has the skill and the backbone to help you stand up to the insurance companies; we will not allow you to be intimidated or bullied into dropping your claim or accepting a reduced benefits payment. In short, we will not rest until we have exhausted every option during your pursuit of long term disability benefits.