Long-Term Disability Lawyer Serving Somerset, MD

When you develop a debilitating medical condition that prevents you from working, you must consider filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.  These benefits can protect a percentage of your pre-disability earnings, but they are sometimes difficult to obtain.  A long-term disability lawyer serving Somerset, MD from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick is ready to assist.

The county in which Somerset, Maryland is located has a disability rate of around 5.2 percent.  If you have a disabling condition, filing for LTD benefits is important.  However, this process is often stressful.  Call us today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.

Consulting a Long-Term Disability Attorney is Beneficial for Your Claim

When filing for long-term disability benefits, you must submit a lot of paperwork and evidence to prove your claim.  For some, this can become overwhelming.  While some claimants may decide to handle LTD claims on their own, consulting a long-term disability attorney can be beneficial.

An LTD lawyer from CCK can help you understand your policy and the extent of your coverage.  Issues arise when claimants do not understand the important information that their policies contain.  This information can include a definition of disability, your benefits’ waiting period, how to appeal, filing deadlines, limitations and exclusions, and more.  By understanding this information, you ensure that your claim receives a fair review.

Moreover, if you receive your long-term disability policy through your employer, then you must be aware of ERISA.  This is a federal law that governs group policies.  ERISA has its own strict deadlines and regulations.  A long-term disability insurance attorney will ensure that your claim is compliant.  If it is not, you may receive a denial of your claim.

Additionally, if you must appeal, we can help you collect any necessary additional evidence to support your claim.  This is important under ERISA as the administrative appeal is the last time you may submit new or updated evidence.

CCK Can Collect Evidence that Demonstrates Your Need for LTD Benefits

Your policy’s definition of disability is important.  You must submit evidence to your insurer to prove that your condition meets this definition.  Medical records are often your primary source of evidence.  While may only need to submit medical evidence, others may need supplemental evidence to reinforce their claim.  CCK utilizes various forms of evidence for clients’ claims, including:

• Specialized reports from treating physicians: Your medical records often do not tell the whole story. Your doctor has unique insights into how your condition affects you.  Thus, it is important to maintain an open dialogue with your physicians while receiving treatment.  These specialized reports can highlight specific aspects of your condition that medical records do not.
• Witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers: Others often see how your condition affects you, both at home and at work. Witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers can illustrate how far-reaching and impairing your condition is.  Moreover, it can corroborate the information within your medical records and other reports.
• Additional evaluations from outside experts: Outside experts can provide objective, third-party evidence for your claim. Insurance companies prefer this type of evidence.  CCK works with several outside experts.  These experts can provide functional capacity, neuropsychological, and vocational evaluations.

We Can Alleviate the Stress of Dealing with the Insurance Company

Insurance companies are often difficult to deal with.  These companies often prioritize their financial needs, which can result in denials of claims.  Essentially, they do not want to pay claims if they can avoid it.

While these companies should handle every LTD claim neutrally, this is rarely the case.  For example, insurance companies routinely hire private investigators to surveil claimants.  If they find something that injects doubt into the claim, they will use it against them.

Other times, the insurance company will incessantly ask claimants for more information, which can be draining when they are trying to manage their condition.  Insurers may also request that claimants attend independent medical exams (IMEs).  These exams, however, are not truly “independent” as the doctors who perform them are often paid by the insurance company.

CCK understands the stress associated with dealing with the insurance company and wants to help alleviate it.  We can act as a point of contact between you and your insurance company.  In other words, all correspondence must pass through us, first.  This frees your time up to focus on your health.  Additionally, we can counter any claims made against your case and fight for your right to your benefits.

Our team can also determine, collect, and submit all evidence for your claim on your behalf.  You do not have to directly deal with the insurance company during this process.  If your claim receives a denial, the long-term disability attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can help you with your appeal.

Call CCK Today

If you suffer from a medical condition or injury that prevents you from working, you must consider filing for long-term disability benefits.  Whether you are filing an initial claim, appealing your insurer’s denial, appealing the termination of your benefits, or litigating in court, a long-term disability lawyer serving Somerset, Maryland from CCK can help.

Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation with a member of our team.  We will evaluate your case and see if we can assist.