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How To Win An Ltd Claim

LTD Lawyers: A Record of National Success You Can Count On
Long Term Disability Claim Attorneys
Winning a long term disability benefits claim can be a difficult task, especially on the first try. With insurance companies trying to protect themselves against fraudulent claims and excessive payouts, the process of obtaining benefits has become extremely challenging, and often requires the assistance of an experienced lawyer.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, our long term disability claims lawyers leverage more than 50 years of combined experience to offer advice to injured and disabled clients across the United States. Throughout our careers, we have learned a number of strategies and tips that can improve your chances of successfully obtaining the LTD benefits you are entitled to.

A Proven Approach to Your LTD Claim
Over the years, we have learned some of the best ways to approach your LTD claim, including:

File your application as soon as you are eligible: Submitting your claim early gives you the opportunity to obtain benefits as soon as you are eligible, or file an appeal without delay.
Request all of your medical records: Before filing a claim, be sure to obtain every medical record that pertains to the condition preventing you from working. In many cases, providing more information than absolutely necessary can be to your benefit.
Be organized: Insurance carriers may deny your claim if you do not provide the proper information, or if your information is not clearly related to your condition. Make copies of all related documents, and clearly label medical records, doctors’ notes and prescriptions before filing them away in a safe and secure place.
Be able to explain your work history: Working with your employer to obtain employment records, and writing a letter that explains your employment record can be invaluable in demonstrating how your injury or disability has impacted your ability to work.
Work with an attorney: Many individuals choose to file their initial benefits claim without legal advice. This can be an effective strategy in some cases, but may lead to difficulties in others. We suggest consulting an attorney, especially when you have received notification that your initial claim has been denied. With an attorney coordinating your efforts, it can be much easier for you to obtain the needed information and complete your appeal.
Contact a Long Term Disability Claim Attorney to Discuss Your Claim
If you are unable to work due to an injury or disability, it is important to understand the benefits you may be entitled to under your long term disability program. It is also important to discuss your claim with an experienced lawyer, especially if you have already been denied.

Our staff offers free consultations, and only collects legal fees if we are successful in helping you obtain benefits, all in an effort to reduce the stress you feel during your pursuit of financial support.

Blog Posts Disability Claims

An Experienced Disability Attorney Can Help You Collect LTD Benefits

Nationwide Long Term Disability Lawyers
If your employer offers long term disability benefits, you’ve probably been paying part of every paycheck for their premiums. While it has been easy for the insurance company to collect your payments, it isn’t always as easy for you to obtain the benefits you have been paying for when you need them. In fact, collecting benefits can be very difficult, and may require the assistance of an experienced lawyer.

At the law office of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, our Long Term Disability lawyers have the skills and knowledge needed to help you obtain the benefits you are entitled to under your LTD plan. With more than 50 years of combined experience, we have gained a detailed insight into the intricate nature of the LTD program and the process of collecting benefits.

Detailed Support during Your Pursuit of Benefits
Working closely with you, we will help you draft your initial claim for long term disability benefits. Our experience allows us to offer the detailed advice you need to understand the questions you are being asked, the information the insurance company requires and the bureaucratic hoops you may have to jump through to collect your benefits.

Unfortunately, many initial claims are denied by the insurance companies. If you have been denied, you should not panic, but do need to understand your rights to file an appeal. Our staff will help you address the reasons behind your denial and will assist you in filing your appeal in a manner that offers you the best chance of obtaining benefits.

Once your claim has been approved, you should start receiving benefits payments within a short amount of time. Your payment amounts will vary, as long term disability programs are all different, but should be at least 50 percent of your wages. It is important to note that you are entitled to any back dated benefits you did not receive while you were waiting for approval of your claim or appeal.

Nationwide Long Term Disability Attorneys; Reduce Your Financial Worry
When you are trying to obtain LTD benefits, the last thing you want to think about is a huge legal bill. Our staff offers our representation solely on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not charge you 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 speak to an attorney without obligation; learn more about our staff and how we can help without ever spending a dime.

Blog Posts

National ERISA Attorneys – Fighting for Your Benefits

An Long Term Disability Lawyer Can Help in an ERISA Lawsuit
While many individuals are able to obtain long term disability benefits by simply filing a claim or an internal appeal, some insurers may refuse to approve a claim regardless of the number of appeals you file. In these cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit under the ERISA or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. By filing a suit under these federal guidelines, you have the right to have your benefits claim reviewed by a judge who will then make a final ruling on your case.

At the law office of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, our ERISA lawyers understand how important long term disability benefits can be when you are prevented from working due to an injury or disability. We also understand how difficult it can be to understand the ERISA guidelines and how they apply to your specific case. Our knowledge of the LTD claims process and federal ERISA guidelines allows us to offer the personalized advice you need to understand your rights and your options for pursuing the benefits you are entitled to under your long term disability policy.

Aggressively Pursuing the Benefits You Are Entitled To
Under the ERISA act, individuals who have exhausted all internal appeals with their insurance company have the option to have their case reviewed by a federal judge. During this review, only the information contained in the case file will be addressed; no testimony will be heard from either the insurance company or the individual making the benefits claim.

Since the judge’s view of the case is limited to the information contained in the case file itself, it is very important to insure that all necessary documentation is included on your file. To do so, our staff will work closely with you, your doctors, your employer and an accountant to gather all necessary information related to your case. We will also help you draft letters and written testimony regarding your injuries or disabilities in an effort to clearly demonstrate their impact on your life and your inability to work. In addition to these documents, we will help you address the insurance company’s reasoning behind the denial of your claim, and work to demonstrate that their reasoning is does not apply to your situation.

By working to put together the strongest case possible, we put you in the best possible position to obtain a favorable judgment.

Call Our Long Term Disability Lawyers to Discuss Your Claim
If you have received notice of a denial of your long term disability benefits claim, it is important to speak to an attorney regarding your options for appealing the decision and seeking benefits.

Blog Posts Disability Claims

Long Term Vs. Short Term Disability

This Blog was brought to you by the J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP principal office in San Antonio

LTD Lawyers, Helping You Understand Your Options
The Difference Between Short Term & Long Term Disability Benefits
When you have been injured or are unable to work due to a disability for any amount of time, paying your bills can be a frustrating and difficult task. With medical bills piling up, and your bank or landlord expecting your mortgage or rent payment, your physical pain can quickly become the least of your worries. Fortunately, under your short term or long term disability coverage, you may be entitled to financial support while you are unable to work.

At the law office of John Davis, LLC, we believe that the first step in obtaining assistance when you are unable to work should be to understand the different programs you have available to you. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our Long Term Disability attorneys have the knowledge needed to help you understand the differences between short and long term disability.

Short Term Disability Coverage
Short term disability coverage is often an optional benefit offered by many employers. While the benefits may vary widely from policy to policy, short term disability is designed to help you pay your bills when you have a physician-documented injury or disability that prevents you from working. The benefits you receive are often a set percentage of your income; in some cases, short term plans will pay 50 to 70 percent of your wages.

Short term disability benefits payments typically last between 10 and 26 weeks, and may have a waiting period before the coverage kicks in. Short term benefits are designed to help individuals who are recovering from less severe injuries like broken bones.

Long Term Disability Benefits
While short term disability benefits kick in after a few weeks of being out of work, long term disability benefits plans do not go into effect until you have been out of work for at least 90 days; in some cases, you may have to be out of work for 180 days, depending on your coverage.

Long term disability benefits have a much longer lifespan than short term benefits; individuals who become permanently disabled may receive benefits payments until they reach the age of average retirement, or 65. In other cases, including those involving more severe conditions like spinal cord injuries, you may be able to collect benefits while you recover or learn a new skill that allows you to seek employment.