Long-Term Disability Lawyer Serving Franklin, MA

When your doctor diagnoses you with a condition that prevents you from working, you may need to need to file a long-term disability (LTD) claim with your insurance company.  This process can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to manage your health at the same time.  Your health should be your top priority but filing a claim can take up a lot of time and energy to complete.

Regardless of whether you are filing an initial claim or appealing a denial of your benefits, the long-term disability lawyers serving Franklin, MA from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to assist you.  You can call us today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation with a member of our team to see how we can help.

Why It Is Beneficial to Contact a LTD Attorney for Your Claim

Many claimants decide to handle their LTD claims on their own.  However, it is very beneficial to have a long-term disability lawyer assist you throughout the process.  Insurance companies are difficult to correspond with and oftentimes put their own financial needs above the health needs of their clients.  This can lead to wrongful denials of claims and other frustrating complications.

The legal team serving Franklin, MA from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick have over three decades of collective experience dealing with insurance companies.  We know how they operate and how to communicate with them effectively.  Moreover, we will serve as a point of contact so that you never have to directly deal with them.

Our team will thoroughly review your long-term disability policy and evaluate its definition of “disability” that you must prove you meet to receive your benefits.  We will use this information to determine the best evidence to gather to support your claim.

The LTD process has many strict deadlines, especially if you have a group policy provided by your employer.  ERISA law governs group policies and has its own set of stringent rules and strict deadlines.  If you miss even just one deadline it could result in a denial (or termination) of your benefits.  Our legal team tracks all deadlines and adheres to all ERISA regulations so that you may receive, or retain, your benefits.

Our LTD Lawyers Serving Franklin Will Gather the Best Evidence Your Case

Medical records are often your primary form of evidence for your long-term disability claim, but these records are rarely sufficient by themselves.  Therefore, it is important to gather supplemental evidence that will strengthen your claim and show why you need the benefits for which you are filing.  CCK’s LTD insurance attorneys utilize various forms of supplemental evidence, such as:

• Specialized reports from your treating physician: Obtaining a specialized report from your treating physician can significantly bolster your claim. Your doctor has insights that a normal medical report does not.  This specialized report can highlight aspects of your condition that prevent you from working.  It is important to maintain an open dialogue with your doctor so that they may know fully how your condition impairs you.
• Witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers: Often, the people who see you each day have insights into how your condition affects you—both at home and at work. Hence, witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers can show how impactful your condition truly is.  Witness statements from family members and friends can attest to how your condition affects you at home.  Witness statements from coworkers can vouch for how your condition affects you at work.
• Evaluations from outside experts: Obtaining third-party, objective medical evidence can be a vital component of your LTD claim. Outside experts can conduct additional evaluations that your normal doctor cannot ordinarily do.  CCK works with a variety of outside experts that can conduct functional capacity, neuropsychological, and vocational evaluations.

Physical and Mental Conditions that Can Qualify for Long-Term Disability Benefits

Some people mistakenly believe that only accident victims can claim long-term disability benefits for their injuries. However, the insurance covers a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. If you are not sure whether or not your illness qualifies, our lawyer can help answer your questions.

Common types of long-term disabilities include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly experienced by those who witnessed or survived a traumatic event. The condition is more common than you might think, as nearly 3.5% of Americans are diagnosed with PTSD.

Common symptoms, like pervasive memories of the traumatic event, can deeply affect the daily lives of those who were diagnosed. If you experience difficulty holding a job or forming relationships, you might qualify for benefits for PTSD.

Depression and Anxiety

Many people are unaware that they can claim long-term disability benefits for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Our lawyers believe in raising awareness about these issues and are honored to assist claimants in securing benefits.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. If you are unable to work because of your diagnosis, you may qualify for long-term disability benefits. Our attorneys can help you gather the proof you need to build a strong case. The benefits you receive can help you ease the financial burden on your family.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders can have debilitating symptoms that make it difficult or impossible to work. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases we have dealt with in long-term disability cases include:

• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disease
• Inflammatory arthritis
• HIV/AIDS

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a common inflammatory illness that occurs when granulomas build up in an organ. While the lungs are most commonly affected, the condition can affect any organ in the body. If sarcoidosis impacts your ability to work, you may recover benefits.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an irritation of a tendon commonly caused by injury or overuse. The areas most commonly affected by the condition include the knees, shoulders, and elbows. If your symptoms hinder your ability to work, you may qualify for long-term disability benefits for tendonitis.

Peripheral Neuropathy

The condition is caused by damage to the nerves outside of the spinal cord or brain. Common causes include autoimmune diseases, injuries, and infections. Patients often experience symptoms of numbness or pain in their hands and feet. 

If you were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, our lawyers can help you seek benefits to help rebuild your life.

Lupus

Lupus is an aggressive autoimmune disorder that can damage many of your body’s organs and systems. Those diagnosed with the condition often experience periods of wellness or recovery only to relapse.  This is one of the reasons why filing for benefits for lupus can be a challenge. However, our long-term disability benefits lawyers can guide you through the process.

CCK Will Alleviate the Burden of the Long-Term Disability Process

Our team wants to make the process of filing for long-term disability benefits as stress free as possible.  We believe that your primary focus should be on managing your health not worrying about the insurance company, disability evidence, or strict deadlines.  Therefore, we handle all these elements so that you may focus on your well-being.

It is beneficial to have an ERISA attorney guide you through the process if you have a group policy.  ERISA law is complex and, at times, frustrating.  You do not want to lose your benefits because of a slight misstep.  Our LTD lawyers serving Franklin, MA will ensure that these missteps do not occur.  We will handle all correspondence and all transactions efficiently.

Age has a great impact on recovering benefits, and so the elderly are at a clear disadvantage. If you suffer a long-term disability after age 65, you can typically receive benefits for a few months. This period will be outlined in your insurance policy. 

Our lawyers are ready to fight alongside our clients for their right to access benefits.

Even when your insurance company approves your long-term disability claim, we do not stop representing you.  Generally, insurance companies continue to ask for updated documentation and evidence while you are receiving disability benefits.  This can be frustrating and can lead to the wrongful termination of your benefits.  We will ensure that this does not happen by continuing our role as your point of contact.  We will continue to send your insurance company updated information on time, so you do not have to worry about it.

Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick Today for a Free Consultation

If you have a debilitating health condition or injury that is preventing you from working, it may be necessary to file a long-term disability claim with your insurance company.  Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help you.  We can guide you through this complex process.  Whether you are filing an initial claim or appealing a denial of benefits, we have the experience to get you the benefits you deserve.

Our long-term disability lawyers serving Franklin, MA are here to assist you so you can focus on your health.  Call us today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation with a member of our team.