Appealing Long-Term Disability Denials
Despite paying premiums for years, your insurance company may have unfairly denied your legitimate long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim, leaving you without a steady income.
However, you have the right to appeal the denial and fight for the benefits you deserve. Understanding the appeals process and working with an experienced long-term disability denial lawyer can help increase your chances of a successful appeal.
Learn how Sokolove Law stands out from other firms:
Our team of long-term disability denial attorneys understand the financial strain and emotional toll that a denial can have on your life.
We handle the appeals process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Denied Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Don’t take no for an answer. Let Sokolove Law fight hard to get you the benefits you’re entitled to.
Long-Term Disability Insurance Carriers
Unum is one of the largest disability insurance carriers and has been fined millions of dollars for wrongfully denying claims. The Unum family includes both Unum and Colonial Life.
A few other insurance companies known for long-term disability denial include:
- Aetna
- Allstate
- Anthem
- Cigna
- Disability Management Services
- Guardian Life
- The Hartford
- Liberty Mutual
- Lincoln Financial
- Lloyd’s of London
- MetLife
- Northwestern Mutual
- Prudential
- The Standard
- State Farm
- Sun Life
- UnitedHealthcare
- Unum
Note: This list is not exhaustive. If your long-term disability insurance claim was denied but your insurer isn't listed above, contact Sokolove Law. We can help you determine your eligibility to appeal for free.
“Thanks to Sokolove Law, we won the battle against the insurance company. Now, I have the support and financial security I need to focus on my health and well-being. I’m grateful for their help and would recommend Sokolove Law to anyone facing a similar struggle.”
– Sokolove Law Client & Engineer with an Unfair Cancer Claim Denial
What Does Long-Term Disability Cover?
Long-term disability insurance covers a variety of illnesses, though many people think that long-term disability only covers injuries that happen on the job.
While on-the-job injuries may also be covered, over 95% of long-term disability claims are estimated to be unrelated to work.
For instance, cancer, mental illnesses, chronic illnesses, neurological disorders, certain degenerative diseases, and other medical conditions may all be covered by your long-term disability policy.
Where Are You in the Process?
Haven’t Filed an LTD Claim Yet?
Complex claim paperwork is the last priority when you’re struggling with an illness or injury. While you may have a long-term disability policy, you may be unsure of what that policy covers and what comes next.
We can provide information on:
- Understanding Your Policy
- What Is Disability Insurance Denial?
- Long-Term Disability Qualifications
- Additional Long-Term Disability Resources
Waiting for a Coverage Decision?
If you’ve applied for coverage and haven’t heard from your long-term disability insurance carrier for an extended period, it may be time to reach out to them for a decision.
Intentionally delaying a claim decision is one way that some insurers fail to honor their contract with you. Without an official denial, you’re unable to appeal.
Long-Term Disability Denied?
Too often, legitimate claims are denied because insurance companies look for every possible legal and technical angle available that will allow them to deny a valid claim.
If an insurer fails to live up to their end of the contract, it’s in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Please know that denials aren’t the end of the claims process. If your claim has been rejected, you need to know your rights and options. Call (800) 995-1212 now to learn more.
Appealed but Denied Again?
Even if you’ve started the appeals process and your claim still hasn’t been approved, don’t give up hope. Consider contacting an experienced long-term disability denial attorney who can help you understand your options and handle your case.
If your claim was repeatedly wrongfully denied, you may be eligible to file a long-term disability lawsuit against your insurance provider.
How to Appeal Long-Term Disability Denial
Though millions of workers need and rely on LTD insurance in the event that they become disabled and are unable to perform their job, insurance companies often find ways to wriggle out of paying policyholders in the event of a long-term disability.
Long-term disability claim denial is, sadly, a common occurrence. Over 60% of long-term disability claims are denied, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
If your long-term disability claim is denied, you have the legal right to appeal your insurance company’s decision. It’s crucial to develop a strong appeal that can withstand the scrutiny of your provider.
When you work with Sokolove Law, our lawyers for long-term disability denial may be able to handle the appeals process on your behalf.
Our team has decades of experience with denied disability claims and knows what steps to take — and when — to fight for the benefits you are owed.
Learn More About Your Options
If you believe your long-term disability claim was wrongfully denied, an experienced long-term disability denial attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Deadlines for Appealing Long-Term Disability Insurance Denial
Deadlines are critical in the appeals process. Missing a deadline can have serious consequences, from frustrating delays to forfeiture of your right to appeal.
For filing a long-term disability appeal, the deadline should be included in the insurer’s denial of claim letter.
The deadlines for appealing a disability denial are set in the federal law known as ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974).
Most (but not all) individual policies follow ERISA rules, which have very tight timeframes.
Under ERISA, you typically only have 60 days to appeal the denial, and the insurer has 60 days to conduct a review, followed by another 60 days if necessary.
What to Do If Your Long-Term Disability Appeal Is Denied
Depending on your insurance plan and the details of your case, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the insurance company for wrongfully denying your long-term disability benefits.
If your long-term disability appeal is denied, your legal team may:
- Ask your insurer to consider another appeal
- Search for new information to change the insurer’s mind
- File a complaint with your state’s Insurance Department while your second appeal is under review, which will lay the groundwork for you to file a lawsuit if your appeal is again denied
Although your insurer may not reverse your denial, you may be required to exhaust all administrative remedies before you can file a denied disability lawsuit.
Should you fail to exhaust your administrative remedies, your case could be dismissed.
If your policy was purchased individually and is not subject to ERISA, you may not be required to exhaust administrative remedies before you can sue.
Why Hire a Long-Term Disability Denial Attorney?
Many people who have their disability claims denied turn to legal experts for help. Hiring a long-term disability denial lawyer is one of the best ways to ensure your appeal is complete, thorough, and as strong as possible before you file.
When you work with Sokolove Law, a long-term disability denial lawyer may be able to help:
- Strengthen your case by gathering evidence to support your claim
- File your appeal with the insurance company on your behalf
- Fight to have your claim overturned in court if your case goes to trial
By working with a long-term disability lawyer at Sokolove Law, you may be able to recover the compensation you need while you are unable to work.
Our Past Long-Term Disability Settlements
Settlements for long-term disability denials can provide much-needed financial relief for individuals and families who have been wrongfully denied the benefits they deserve.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve recovered over $131 Million for clients wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits by their insurance providers.
Some of our past long-term disability denial settlements include:
- $1.36 Million for a New York client with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- $1.15 Million for a woman in California with a denied disability claim
- $800,000 for a denied Unum long-term disability claim in California
- $450,000 for an Alabama client who was denied disability benefits
- $400,000 for a long-term disability insurance denial case in Ohio
- $395,000 for a denied long-term disability claim in Georgia
Long-term disability denial settlements are typically paid out as either a one-time lump sum payment or divided into regular, scheduled payments known as structured payments.
Settlement amounts will vary on a case-by-case basis, as they are impacted by factors like the strength of a claimant’s medical evidence, the duration of their disability, and their occupation and earning capacity.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may not offer fair settlements to their policyholders. Your legal team can negotiate with providers to ensure you get the money you deserve.
Take a stand against the company that denied your claim. Call (800) 995-1212 now for a free, no-obligation case review to get started.
Why Did Your Long-Term Disability Claim Get Denied?
While there are many reasons why an insurance company may deny an individual long-term disability claim, it’s important to know that claims administrators often work for the insurance company and present an inherent conflict of interest.
As a result, many disability claims are routinely denied, even when there’s a strong case for disability benefits.
Sometimes, insurance companies deny claims for legitimate reasons, but other times, their rationale may be unfounded.
Long-term disability claims may be denied due to:
- Application errors: If the claims application has errors in it, is otherwise incomplete, or isn’t filed in time, it may be rejected.
- Missing or insufficient medical evidence: Long-term disability claims often get denied if they lack sufficient information to justify an approval, like medical records and medical statements from your doctor.
- Not meeting an insurance policy’s definition of disability: Under many insurance policies, a claimant is only considered “disabled” if they meet the specific criteria outlined in their insurance plan.
- Video surveillance that counters a claim of disability: Insurance companies can work with investigators who conduct video surveillance of a claimant as a way to verify that the claims made in your application are truthful and accurate. They may also check your activity on social media.
If your claim was denied, long-term disability denial attorneys with Sokolove Law may be able to help you appeal the insurer’s decision and pursue any disability benefits you may be entitled to.
See if we can help with your case today by getting a free case review or calling (800) 995-1212.
“When I got sick and couldn't work anymore, my insurance company denied my long-term disability claim. I felt lost and betrayed. But then I found Sokolove Law. They listened and cared about my story. Now, I have the help I need to move forward.”
– Sokolove Law Client & Victim of Wrongfully Denied Disability Claim
Occupations Often Affected by LTD Denial
Unfortunately, long-term disability denial doesn’t just affect one occupation — it can affect anyone who pays for an LTD insurance policy and has to file a claim.
Workers affected by long-term disability denial may include:
- Cashiers and stocking associates
- Construction workers
- Doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, and other medical professionals
- Government employees
- Hairdressers and cosmetologists
- Immunocompromised workers unable to work due to illness or health issues
- Mechanics
- Professional athletes or musicians who were injured and can no longer perform
- People who had COVID-19 and experienced long-haul symptoms that interfere with their ability to work
- Servers and bartenders
- Teachers
- Truck drivers
This list is not exhaustive. We may be able to help anyone who is facing a long-term disability denial, regardless of their occupation.
Get Help Fighting a Long-Term Disability Claim Denial
If you’ve had a long-term disability claim denied, an experienced long-term disability insurance denial attorney may be able to help.
At Sokolove Law, our attorneys bring decades of experience fighting on behalf of hardworking Americans who have had their long-term disability claims denied.
Over the last 45+ years, we’ve recovered over $131 Million for clients nationwide who were wrongfully denied long-term disability.
Get a free case review or call (800) 995-1212 today to see if we may be able to help with your appeal.
Long-Term Disability Denial Claim FAQs
Can an employer deny long-term disability?
Ultimately, your insurance company will handle the long-term disability insurance claims and approval process, not your employer.
The insurance company will evaluate and decide whether a long-term disability claim is approved or denied based on the terms of the insurance policy and the claimant's medical evidence.
What should I do if my long-term disability claim is denied?
If your long-term disability claim has been denied, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible for help gathering the medical information needed to build a stronger claim and file an appeal.
At Sokolove Law, our disability insurance attorneys have decades of experience helping clients whose claims have been denied.
We know the ins and outs of the insurance industry and can help identify the best path forward for your case.
Can you appeal long-term disability insurance denial?
Yes. If your long-term disability claim was denied, you have the right to file an appeal of your insurance company’s decision — and Sokolove Law may be able to help.
Our attorneys for long-term disability insurance denial may be able to handle the appeals process for you by:
- Gathering evidence
- Submitting a strong appeal within any deadlines
- Fighting the insurance company in court, if needed
How do I appeal a disability denial?
One of the easiest ways to appeal a denied long-term disability claim is to work with experienced denied disability insurance attorneys who can take care of the appeals process on your behalf.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if we can help with your case. It costs nothing to speak with our team.
Why would someone be denied long-term disability insurance?
Long-term disability claims can be denied for a variety of reasons, like if:
- There’s not enough medical evidence to support your claim
- Your application isn’t filed on time or has errors
- You don’t meet the insurance policy’s criteria for disability
If your LTD claim has been denied, long-term disability appeal lawyers with Sokolove Law may be able to help. Get a free case review today to learn more.
How much does a long-term disability appeal attorney cost?
At Sokolove Law, our long-term disability appeal attorneys work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront costs or hourly fees.
We’ll only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started for free.
What is ERISA?
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law that was designed to protect employee benefits by setting minimum standards for employer-provided disability insurance.
Depending on your long-term disability insurance plan, it may be subject to ERISA. However, Insurance companies often use the rules under ERISA to their benefit.
This is why it’s important to contact an attorney right away if your claim was denied, to ensure you don’t fall victim to any bad tactics by the insurance company.
To learn more about your options, contact Sokolove Law today.
What conditions qualify for long-term disability?
There are a variety of medical conditions that may qualify for long-term disability, including:
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Degenerative disc disease
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart disease
- Herniated disc
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Spine disorders
- Stroke
Whether or not your condition qualifies for long-term disability depends on the specific terms of your policy.
What percentage of long-term disability claims are denied?
Approximately 60% of long-term disability claims are denied, according to the Social Security Administration.
It's important to note that a denial does not necessarily mean the end of the process. You have the right to appeal a denial and can potentially take the insurer to court over their decision.
With the help of experienced legal representation, you may have a better chance of a successful appeal and getting the benefits you’re entitled to.
