Long-Term Disability Lawyer Serving Colts Neck, NJ
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 benefits—typically 60 to 80 percent. This percentage can vary from policy to policy.
However, obtaining such benefits can be difficult as insurance companies routinely deny claims. This is not something you must do on your own.
A long-term disability lawyer serving Colts Neck, NJ from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can help you at any point in the LTD process. We will fight for your rights to get the benefits you need. Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.
Consulting with a Colts Neck Long-Term Disability Lawyer is Beneficial for Your Claim
The disability rate in Colts Neck, NJ between 2016 and 2020 was 3.5 percent. Those who develop disabling conditions may need long-term disability benefits if they cannot work for an extended period.
Some claimants may decide to handle their claim on their own, but this can lead to simple mistakes that can cost them their benefits. Long-term disability policies are often difficult to understand yet vital for a successful claim. A disability lawyer understands these policies and can help you make sense of your coverage and what you need to establish your LTD claim.
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick wants to lessen the burden that comes with filing for long-term disability benefits. We will help you understand your policy’s definition of disability and ascertain the best evidence to prove that your condition impairs you per this definition. We can submit this evidence on your behalf.
If you have a group policy through your employer, then you must be cognizant of ERISA—a federal law that governs such policies. ERISA is a complex law that further complicates the acquisition of LTD benefits. Our LTD attorneys are well-versed in this law and will ensure that your claim, or appeal, is compliant to ensure a fair review.
CCK Can Collect Supplemental Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim
Medical records are your primary source of evidence, but some claims require additional proof to prove your claim. The evidence you submit must illustrate how your condition impairs you per your policy’s specific definition of disability.
CCK utilizes various forms of evidence. We can collect this evidence for you. Such evidence includes:
- Specialized reports from your treating physicians: Your treating physicians have unique insights into your condition. They can focus on aspects of your condition that ordinary medical records do not. Thus, it is important to maintain an open dialog with them while receiving treatment so that they may write a thorough specialized report for your claim and/or appeal.
- Witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers: Others often see how your condition affects you—both at home and at work. Obtaining official witness statements can bolster your claim. Family and friends can attest to how your condition affects you at home, and coworkers can attest to how your condition affects you in the workplace.
- Additional evaluations from outside experts: Some conditions may require additional, third-party evaluations to prove your claim. CCK works with several outside experts who can provide objective evidence for your claim. Insurance companies prefer such evidence over self-reported symptoms. Outside experts can perform functional capacity tests, neuropsychological assessments, and vocational evaluations.
Let Us Alleviate the Stress of Dealing with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies should handle every claim neutrally, but this is often not the reality. Unfortunately, such companies prioritize their financial needs over all else, which can lead to numerous denials.
Insurers do not want to approve claims if they can help it, so they employ certain tactics to help them discover reasons for denials, such as surveillance tactics; independent medical exams (IMEs); social media monitoring; and more. Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick believes that you should not have to worry about this.
CCK can act as a point of contact between you and your insurer. In other words, all correspondence—through any medium—must pass through us first. This frees up your time to focus on your health. It also ensures that you do not miss any of your insurer’s requests, which allows you to submit everything on time.
We can also track all filing deadlines, collect and submit all documentation and evidence, review your claim file if you must file an appeal, and more. Further, we can handle your appeal and—if necessary—litigate in court to win your benefits. In short, we can help you at any stage in the process. We have over 30 years of combined experience dealing with insurance companies—we hold them accountable.
Call CCK Today for a Free Consultation
CCK understands how frustrating this process is and wants to help. If your condition is preventing you from performing the duties of your job, then you may qualify for long-term disability benefits. Moreover, if you were already receiving LTD benefits, but your insurer terminated them, we can help you appeal this decision.
Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation with a member of our team serving Colts Neck. We will evaluate your case and see if we can help.
Colts Neck Blog Posts
- The Value of Vocational Evidence in Long-Term Disability Claims
When filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, the burden of proof is upon the claimant. Thus, it is the responsibility of the LTD claimant to submit evidence that proves that their condition meets the definition of disability within their policy. Many claimants focus on the medical evidence they must supply, but the value of vocational […]
- Why ERISA Was Enacted And How It Should Benefit You Today
ERISA, or the “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” is a federal law. The U.S. House of Representatives enacted ERISA to implement rules and standards plan administrators must follow to protect individuals who have employer-provided benefit plans. These plans include pensions, retirement funds, welfare benefits, health benefits, and 401(k)s. It also covers most employer-provided […]
- Will Severance Affect My Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits can protect a person’s income when they are unable to work due to a debilitating medical condition. Often, an employer’s benefits package includes LTD coverage. Such policies are known as “group policies,” which are governed by the federal law known as ERISA. These benefits are necessary for many people, but what […]