Depending on where you are in the claims process, Sokolove Law is here to help. If you filed a claim for long-term disability benefits and have already received a denial, we offer a free legal consultation to help determine whether you have a case and may recover benefits.
What Are Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance is a type of insurance policy that can provide financial benefits to an employee who is unable to work for a long period due to an accident, illness, or injury. This type of insurance coverage provides the employee with a portion of their income while they’re absent from work.
Long-Term Disability Requirements
Generally speaking, you may qualify for long-term disability benefits if you:
- Pay for a long-term disability insurance plan
- Have a medical condition that qualifies as a disability under your insurance policy
- File a claim for long-term disability with your insurance
Medical Conditions That May Qualify for Long-Term Disability
Many people think long-term disability insurance is for people who have been physically injured in an accident and are unable to work as a result of their injury. While this may be true, it’s important to know there are many medical conditions that may also entitle you to receive disability payments.
Some of the medical conditions that may qualify for long-term disability benefits include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Degenerative disc disease
- Fibromyalgia
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
The above list of medical conditions is not exhaustive, and qualifying conditions vary from policy to policy. Before filing a long-term disability claim, it’s important to understand how your insurance company defines a disability. This information can be found by carefully reading your insurance policy.
Learn More About Your Options
If you think your long-term disability claim was unfairly denied, Sokolove Law may be able to help.
Filing a Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim
Remember, it’s in the best interest of the insurance company to prove that you do not qualify for long-term disability benefits under the terms of your policy. You can be confident that they will ask for every last detail of your condition, including lab tests, medical records, and other documentation.
Your insurer may even try to deny your long-term disability claim by misclassifying your illness or insisting that your disability is a psychological condition when it’s really a chronic disease.
Thankfully, if your disability insurance claim is denied, Sokolove Law may be able to help you appeal the result.
Why Hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer?
After a denied long-term disability claim, many consumers feel confused and defeated at the thought of the time and effort needed to make the insurance company pay out.
Working with a long-term disability claims attorney who can advise you and handle the appeal process on your behalf can help give you peace of mind and make the legal process easier on you during this difficult time.
Don’t risk losing your appeal on a technicality or by not having the right information available, especially not when Sokolove Law may be able to help.
Fight Back Against a Denied Long-Term Disability Claim
If your disability claim has been denied but you feel you still qualify for benefits, don’t take “no” for an answer. Contact us for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case to see if you may be able to fight back against the insurance company’s decision.
For over 40 years, Sokolove Law has been helping clients across the country secure compensation for their injuries. Our experienced staff will listen to the details of your claim and help you take the next step in recovering the benefits you may be entitled to.
Submit the form on this page to have one of our case managers contact you for a free legal consultation, or call us today at (800) 995-1212.
Long-Term Disability Qualification FAQs
Do I qualify for long-term disability?
To get a better idea of whether or not you qualify for long-term disability, review the details of your plan to see what your insurance company considers to be a disability. If you have a medical condition that qualifies as a disability, you can file a claim with your insurance provider to receive benefits.
If the insurance company denies your claim, we may be able to handle the appeals process on your behalf and seek any benefits you may be owed. Contact us today to learn more about your options.
What medical conditions qualify for long-term disability?
A variety of degenerative diseases, chronic illnesses, neurological disorders, and physical disabilities may qualify for coverage under long-term disability insurance plans.
A few of the medical conditions that may qualify for long-term disability benefits include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Degenerative disc disease
- Fibromyalgia
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
How do I apply for long-term disability?
If you have a medical condition that’s considered to be a disability under your long-term disability plan, you can apply for long-term disability by filing a claim with your insurance provider. If your claim is denied, Sokolove Law may be able to help you file an appeal of the insurance company’s decision. Get a free case review today to learn more about your options.
Why are some long-term disability claims denied?
Oftentimes, insurance companies look for reasons to avoid having to pay long-term disability claims. In many cases, they may even attempt to misclassify your illness, injury, or disability so that you don’t qualify for long-term disability benefits.
With that being said, there are legitimate reasons to deny claims, like:
- Application errors
- Missing or insufficient medical evidence
- Not meeting the insurance policy’s criteria for disability
Can I appeal a denied long-term disability claim?
Yes — if you believe your claim was wrongfully denied, you should contact Sokolove Law about appealing the insurance company’s decision. Our long-term disability denial attorneys understand the claims and appeals process and may handle appealing your denied claim on your behalf, from gathering the evidence needed in your case to filing your appeal. Get a free case review today to see if we can help.
What is the appeals process like for long-term disability claims?
When you work with Sokolove Law, we may be able to handle appealing your denied disability claim on your behalf. This process usually involves your disability denial lawyer:
- Gathering evidence to build your case
- Filing your appeal with the insurance company
- Representing you in court if your case reaches a hearing or trial
How long does long-term disability last?
While short-term policies only last up to 6 months, long-term disability insurance is intended to provide coverage for longer periods of time, usually for several years or until you reach retirement.
