Dealing With a Long-Term Disability Claim Denial

You purchase long-term disability insurance for the confidence that you will be taken care of if you are severely ill or injured. To then subsequently have your claim denied can be devastating. Even if you were injured and filed a successful civil lawsuit, the amount of compensation you were granted may not have been enough to support you and your family as well as cover any medical expenses. Workers' compensation is also unlikely to be sufficient. 

There are a number of reasons a long-term disability claim might be denied. The insurer may claim that medical records were insufficient or that you did not visit a physician regularly enough. There have been some cases in which insurance companies denied a claim based on video surveillance the company said refuted the person's injury or illness. A doctor's statement may be required. In some cases, a person may be denied because they or their medical providers have inadvertently filled out confusing paperwork incorrectly. However, it might be possible to deal with any of these objections. An attorney may be able to assist you in appealing such a denial. 

Time is also of the essence both in the initial filing and in the appeal. Time limits, processes and requirements may not be entirely clear, and this is another reason a person struggling to get long-term disability in Massachusetts may want to consult an attorney about the best approach and what type of documentation may be required.

Long Term Disability Program in Massachusetts

Long Term Disability (LTD) in Massachusetts is a program that allows you to receive regular income when you are disabled. It protects you and your family by providing a steady income while you are recovering from injuries or illness.

Strategies for Filing Long-Term Disability Claims

If you are ever injured and it prevents you from working for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to some long-term disability benefits. The process of claiming these benefits may be lengthy and arduous, so it’s important to consider these tips when applying for them.

Seeking Long-Term Disability in Massachusetts

Long-term disability insurance often kicks in for a disabled employee when short-term disability ends and they are still no longer able to work. You will have to meet the requirements set. The opinion of your treating physician is critical as well as your medical records. Those who are eligible must continue treatment or they may no longer be able to receive benefits from the insurance company. There may be preexisting conditions that are excluded from receiving coverage. You may also be required to apply for Social Security benefits as well. The insurance company would like to see you approved for benefits, as they can offset your claim once you are receiving Social Security. If your claim is denied, you may need to find an attorney in Massachusetts.

Finding a Long Term Disability Lawyer in Massachusetts

Are you looking for a long term disability lawyer in Massachusetts? Not sure where to turn? Did your case get denied? If that is the situation you find yourself in, then hiring a lawyer is in your best interest.

Benefiting from Long-Term Disability Attorneys

Long-term disability insurance provides protection for employees who are hurt on the job and will not be able to work for an extended period of time. Hiring a long-term disability attorney who has experience early on improves the chances of a disability claim being accepted.

How a Lawyer Helps in a Long-Term Disability Case

Dealing with a long-term disability brings unique challenges. First, there is the challenge that comes from the physical, mental, and emotional effects of the disability itself; then, there are the financial ramifications that come from being unable to work. It is imperative that individuals who have workers compensation or long-term disability cases find an attorney who can help them. Fighting for long-term disability from an employer or an insurance company is not easy without legal help.

How is LTD Different from SSI Disability?

If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to long-term disability (LTD) benefits. However, it is important to note where these benefits come from. Aside from social security disability, LTD compensation can also come from your employer's insurance company. As such, the criteria to receive such benefits may be different than what you expect them to be.

You may be entitled to SSI disability benefits based on your previous work history and how much you’ve paid into the system through FICA taxes. With LTD benefits, the amount that you may receive depends on how much you currently make. Furthermore, you may not be entitled to benefits if you quit your job, as they may be dependent on a current employer-employee relationship.

In some cases, you may be able to combine your social security and long-term disability benefits. However, it’s possible that your long-term benefits terminate when you start to receive disability benefits from the government. Conversely, you may not be eligible for social security benefits if you already have long-term disability insurance coverage.

That said, you are not guaranteed to receive long-term disability insurance. If neither the worker nor the employer carries coverage, the worker may have to rely on other benefits if he or she is out of work due to a serious injury. As each situation is different, it may be worthwhile to consult with an attorney prior to making a claim for either social security or long-term disability benefits.

Understanding the Benefits of Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-term disability provides protection for employees who are disabled and can no longer work. Reasons for disabilities may include injury, mental health issues or major illnesses. Long-term disability gives workers a way to continue to cover their financial obligations even when they are not earning a salary.

Most employees will purchase long-term disability insurance through their employer. There are different plans that an employee can purchase, and they usually come bundled as a part of a comprehensive benefits package. If companies do not offer long-term disability insurance, or if an employee feels that the insurance offered is not sufficient to cover their needs, they have the option of purchasing individual long-term disability plans from insurance agents. In many cases, this insurance is expensive.

Long-term disability insurance is designed to work once short-term disability insurance has run its course. In most cases, short-term disability insurance is designed to last between 3 to 6 months. Typically, long-term disability insurance will pay an employee between 50 to 70 percent of their salary. Some long-term policies are designed to provide protection for a set period of time, usually from between 2 to 10 years.

All long-term disability insurance policies have set conditions for payout. Certain diseases as well as pre-existing conditions may be excluded from the policy, and there may be other stipulations that minimize the usefulness of a particular policy for an employee. For this reason it is essential that employees do their research when finding a policy that is right for them.