Have you been denied Long Term Disability and need help navigating the appeals process? Read on to learn why your claim may have been denied and how our experienced Rockledge Long Term Disability lawyers can represent you.

Long Term Disability benefits refer to policy payouts from Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance policies. Employers generally pay for these policies, although individuals can also purchase them. A Long Term Disability policy covers an individual if they become disabled by an accident or illness, rendering them unable to work. The terms of a policy will determine how long a policy will pay for benefits, the amount that an individual will receive, and define what disabled means under the coverage. 

Why Are Some Long Term Disability Claims Denied?

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) governs Long Term Disability insurance offered by employers. Claims administrators review and evaluate employee-submitted claims, and many are denied for several reasons, including:

• Missing Medical Evidence: Incomplete or missing medical records, statements, or documentation often results in denied claims.  
• Failure To Meet The Qualifications: Each policy has a summary and exact definition for disability qualifications. The claim is often denied if an individual’s conditions do not meet the definition.
• Excluded Conditions: In addition to meeting a policy’s exact definition of disabled comes the exclusion of specific conditions related to substances or pre-existing conditions.
• Failure To Meet Deadlines: The Long Term Disability claims and appeals process has many ridged deadlines. Missed deadlines regularly result in denied claims.

4 Ways Rockledge Long Term Disability Lawyers Can Help With Denied Claims

If your Long Term Disability claim has been denied, you can appeal the decision. Here are four ways that local Rockledge Long Term Disability lawyers can help:

#1- Ensure Appeal Deadlines Are Met

ERISA has precise and strict regulations, guidelines, and deadlines for overseeing Long Term Disability policies. An experienced Long Term Disability attorney will know how to proceed through the appeals process and ensure that all deadlines are met.

#2- Properly Preparing Your Claims File

During the claims process, a Rockledge Long Term Disability lawyer can ensure the collection of all the necessary medical evidence and will work with medical experts to get supportive opinions about work-related limitations. Instead of relying on insurance company paperwork, an attorney can provide a claimant with the best questions to ask their doctors to prepare a compelling claims file for their appeal. 

#3- Determining If More Expert Evidence Is Needed

If needed to advance and benefit an appeal, a Long Term Disability attorney can hire a vocational expert to opine regarding job requirements and how a disability hinders performance. 

#4- Acting As A Legal Representative

Additionally, a Rockledge Long Term Disability attorney can help obtain persuasive evidence, interact with Long Term Disability carriers and plan administrators on a claimant’s behalf, conduct settlement negotiations, and even file a lawsuit in Federal Court if needed.

Reach Out To Your Local Rockledge Long Term Disability Lawyers Today

Our attorneys at Herbert M. Hill, P.A. are here to represent you no matter where you are in the claims or appeals process. Contact our law office today and schedule an initial consultation to see how we can help.