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Self-Funded LTD Claims Lawyers

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.

Blog Posts

Dealing With Insurance Companies

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.

Blog Posts Disability Claims Long Term Disability

UNUM Long Term Disability Lawyers

LTD Attorneys Assisting Clients in Pursuit of UNUM Benefits
As one of the largest long term disability insurance providers in the country, UNUM provides coverage to millions of individuals nationwide. Unfortunately, UNUM has gained a reputation as being one of the most difficult insurance companies to deal with; they have placed high on the list of companies who deny claims and have become the subject of government investigations into bad faith practices, or the practice of denying claims without cause. The high denial rate has led to a great deal of hardship on behalf of many injured and disabled clients, leaving them without the financial support they are entitled to under their LTD coverage.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, our UNUM long term disability attorneys have represented countless clients attempting to file a claim for benefits under plans offered by UNUM. We’ve also represented hundreds of clients who have had their claims denied by UNUM, as well as those who have been awarded reduced benefits payments. This experience has given us a unique insight into the inner workings of UNUM as a company, allowing us to offer advice on a number of issues, including:

Handling UNUM claims
UNUM denial issues
Prevailing against UNUM
When Going Up Against a Fortune 500 Insurance Company, Knowledge is Power

As a Fortune 500 company, UNUM has the ability to shrug off most of your attempts to collect your benefits. In short, your complaints and calls will likely fall on deaf ears as UNUM may view your claim as inconsequential.

When dealing with UNUM, it is important to understand the proper methods of getting results. Our national LTD attorneys have gained a detailed knowledge of UNUM as a company, and have first-hand knowledge of the way they handle claims for long term disability benefits. This insight allows us to offer advice on the proper methods of completing your claim, and the best manner in which to file that claim to improve your chances of successfully obtaining benefits.

Going up against UNUM can be a difficult task under the best circumstances; when you are injured or addressing a disability, the process can seem impossible. You don’t have to face UNUM alone though, our staff will help you address every step in the process of pursuing the benefits you deserve.

Blog Posts Disability Claims

Dentist Disability Claims

LTD Lawyers Serving Dentists Nationwide
Injured or Disabled? Talk to a Long Term Disability Attorney
As a dentist, protecting yourself and your practice are likely high on your list of priorities; insuring that you carry long term disability coverage is one key step in protecting your practice should you ever become injured or disabled. While long term disability insurance can be a great way to reduce the financial strain you feel while you are unable to work actually obtaining the benefits you are entitled to can be a difficult and confusing task.

At the law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC, we offer detailed long term disability advice to dentists who have purchased their own LTD coverage. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our dentist LTD attorneys have the knowledge needed to help you pursue benefits when you are kept from working due to a serious injury or disability. These benefits can be vital in keeping your practice and your family financially secure while you work to recover or transition to the next phase in your life.

For LTD Claims & Appeals, Call an Experienced Disability Lawyer
As a dentist, you are likely very familiar with insurance claims; you’ve probably filed hundreds of claims for your patients. Unfortunately, long term disability claims can be much more complicated than a dental insurance claim. In fact, many claims are denied by the insurance provider for a number of reasons, including a lack of required information, or simply because they do not want to pay.

As an individual without employer backing or a human resources department to turn to, your claim takes on additional challenges. Fortunately, you do not have to face the process alone. Our staff will help you address the many complexities involved in the initial claims process, including:

Gathering all necessary documentation and information
Coordinating with doctors and accountants for supporting evidence of your claim
Completing your claim documents
Filing the claim in a manner that provides the best chance of approval
Unfortunately, many insurance carriers will deny your claim simply because they do not want to pay and feel that you do not have the support needed to press the issue. They could not be more wrong. Our staff will also guide you through the steps of filing an appeal, including:

Understanding the reasoning behind the denial
Addressing the issues leading to the denial
Gathering additional documentation or information
Completing the appeals paperwork
While we have often been successful in helping past clients obtain benefits through the internal appeals process with the insurance providers, some carriers simply refuse to listen to the evidence supporting your claim. Should your carrier continually refuse your claim, despite clear evidence of your qualification for benefits, we will help you file an ERISA lawsuit to have your case reviewed by a federal judge. In short, we will not rest until we have helped you exhaust every avenue to have your case approved.