If you have suffered a serious injury or illness that prevents you from doing your job, it may take some time until you are able to return to work. Without a paycheck, your debts can quickly spiral out of control. Long Term Disability insurance can help get you through a tough situation.
Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes deny benefits to people who legitimately need them, or cut off necessary payments for reasons that may not make a lot of sense. If that’s happened to you, our Vinton Long Term Disability lawyers can help you fight back.
Our team at Marc Whitehead & Associates has over 120 years of legal experience combined. Disability is all we do. Call today to schedule your free consultation and find out how our Vinton disability lawyers can help you get the full benefits you have earned.
What Is Long Term Disability In Louisiana?
Long Term Disability (LTD) provides income replacement when you cannot work due to a serious illness or injury for an extended period. Typically, LTD benefits begin after Short Term Disability coverage ends, often following a waiting period of several months.
Your policy may be through your employer, or you may have purchased it privately. It will typically cover between 50 and 70% of your wages while you recover. Long Term Disability benefits last for a specific number of years or until retirement age, depending on the policy terms.
It’s smart to keep detailed records of your condition, treatments, and all communication with the insurer throughout the application process. This information can be useful not only during an appeal but also in the event that your claim turns into a lawsuit.
For a free legal consultationwith a long term disability lawyer serving Vinton, call (800) 562-9830
Who Is Eligible for LTD?
Eligibility depends on the specifics outlined in your insurance policy. In the early stages of a claim, many policies use an own occupation standard, meaning you must be unable to perform the duties of your specific job.
After a certain period, this may change to the any occupation standard, meaning you are unable to perform any job for which you are reasonably qualified by education, training, or experience. Eligibility requires evidence that proves a condition, such as:
- Severe injuries
- Chronic diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Mental health conditions
Vinton Long Term Disability Lawyer Near Me (800) 562-9830
What Can You Do When Your Long Term Disability Is Denied?
While it may be disheartening when your Long Term Disability Claim is denied, our Vinton Long Term Disability attorneys can help you take action and challenge the decision. We will review your denial letter, which should explain the reasons and outline your appeal rights.
Most LTD policies require you to go through an internal appeals process before pursuing legal action. During this stage, our team will gather and submit additional medical records, expert opinions, and supporting documentation to strengthen your claim.
What Are Common Reasons for Long Term Disability Denials?
There are many reasons a Long Term Disability claim would be denied, many of which relate to insufficient evidence or policy interpretation. Some of the denials our Long Term Disability insurance lawyers may be able to help with include:
- Lack of medical proof, such as when the insurer determines that the documentation does not adequately support the severity of the condition.
- Disagreements over whether you meet your policy’s definition of a disability.
- The insurer may claim you had a pre–existing condition.
- The insurance company could deny your claim if it believes you failed to follow medical treatments.
Our LTD lawyers will work to counter these issues by gathering additional documentation, consulting experts, and presenting new evidence that proves your Long Term Disability.
How Does ERISA Relate to Long Term Disability?
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that oversees most employer sponsored Long Term Disability programs. ERISA establishes standards for how Long Term Disability insurance plans must be administered and provides protections for participants.
If your plan is through your employer, your claim most likely falls under ERISA regulations, which means there are strict rules for how appeals are handled and when you can file a lawsuit. Our Long Term Disability lawyer in Vinton will help you understand ERISA regulations and the correct steps to take.
Talk With Our Vinton Long Term Disability Attorneys
Qualifying for Long Term Disability can make a big difference for you and your family when you are unable to work due to an injury or illness. You can receive a percentage of your wages to help you make ends meet and avoid serious debt until your situation resolves.
Unfortunately, even though you believe you’ve done everything correctly, an insurance company may still choose to deny you the help you need. You don’t have to accept their decision. Our Vinton Long Term Disability attorneys can help you contest the insurer’s denial of your benefits.
For more than three decades, Marc Whitehead & Associates has stood up for those unfairly denied the benefits they were promised. Call us today and schedule your free consultation to find out more about how our team can help.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form