Long-Term Disability Lawyer Serving Somers, NY
When you develop a medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible to work for an extended period, then you must consider filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. These benefits can protect a percentage of your pre-disability earnings — typically between 60 and 80 percent. However, obtaining these benefits is often difficult. A long-term disability lawyer serving Somers, NY from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can help.
Whether you are filing an initial claim, appealing a denial or termination of your LTD benefits, or litigating in court, CCK has the experience to assist you. Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case evaluation with a member of our team.
A Long-Term Disability Lawyer Can be Beneficial for Your Claim
The disability rate in Somers, NY between 2017 and 2021 was 6.3 percent. As such, many individuals face the reality of having to file an LTD claim with an insurance company, such as Unum, Liberty Mutual, or Sun Life. However, filing such a claim can be an arduous task, but it is not something you must handle on your own.
A long-term disability lawyer serving Somers, NY from CCK can help you at any LTD claim and appeal stage. Some claimants may decide to handle their claims on their own, but they are more apt to make mistakes, which could result in a denial of benefits. An experienced attorney can help you navigate this process and avoid these missteps.
For example, CCK can help you file your initial claim. We can track all filing deadlines and review your claim forms to ensure that everything is accurate and that your insurer receives everything on time. Moreover, our team can help you understand your coverage; advise you if you must attend an independent medical exam (IME); and determine, collect, and submit all evidence on your behalf.
CCK Can Collect All Evidence to Support Your Claim for Long-Term Disability Benefits
Your long-term disability insurance policy contains a definition of disability. You must provide your insurance company with proof that your medical condition or injury meets this definition to receive benefits. Thus, evidence is necessary to collect and submit. Most claimants rely on their medical records to demonstrate their need for benefits. Yet some claimants may also require supplemental evidence.
CCK can determine if your claim requires supplemental evidence. If so, our team can collect and submit this evidence on your behalf. Such evidence can include:
- Specialized reports from your treating physician: Your treating physicians have unique insights into how your condition affects you. They can write a specialized report that highlights key aspects of your condition that ordinary medical records do not. Thus, it is essential to maintain an open dialogue with all your doctors as you receive treatment.
- Witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers: Others often see how your condition impairs you — both at home and at work. Therefore, obtaining official witness statements from these individuals is important. Family and friends can vouch for how your condition impacts your private life, and co-workers can vouch for how your condition prevents you from working.
- Additional medical and vocational evaluations: Insurance companies prefer objective evidence, and CCK works with several outside experts who can provide your claim with such proof. Third-party experts can provide your claim with functional capacity tests; neuropsychological assessments; vocational evaluations; and more.
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick Can Help Alleviate the Stress of Dealing with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies should handle every claim neutrally. However, this is not always the reality that LTD claimants face. A long-term disability insurance attorney serving Somers, NY from CCK can help alleviate the stress that comes from dealing with the insurance company.
Our team can act as a point of contact between you and your insurer. Insurance companies often prioritize their financial needs and issue many denials every year to claims. Such companies may incessantly request more information from you through the claim process, which can become overwhelming. By acting as a point of contact, CCK ensures that all communication passes through us first so that you may focus on what matters most: your health.
Moreover, if you have an employer-provided group policy, then you must be cognizant of ERISA. ERISA is a federal law that governs most group policies and often benefits the insurance company and not the claimants. CCK will ensure that your claim is compliant with this law so that the insurance company fairly reviews your case. Additionally, if you do receive a denial of your claim, we can handle your appeal.
CCK can review your denial letter, request and review your claim file, and collect any additional evidence that may be necessary to reinforce your appeal. In some cases, litigation may also be necessary—our ERISA lawyers have experience litigating in court for LTD benefits and may be able to help you.
Call CCK Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Obtaining long-term disability benefits is often challenging, but it is not something you must do on your own. If you live in Somers, NY, a long-term disability lawyer from CCK may be able to help you.
Call us today at 800-544-9144 for a free case evaluation. A member of our team will analyze your case and determine if we can assist you.
Somers Blog Posts
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How to Get Long-Term Disability BenefitsNobody wants to think about becoming disabled. However, it is important to consider what to do if such an event were to occur. How would you pay your day-to-day expenses when you are unable to work? Getting long-term disability (LTD) benefits is key to managing your health while not worrying about your income. Many may […]
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Long-Term Disability Policies: Definition of DisabilityWhen an insurer denies an individual’s long-term disability (LTD) claim, they will often reference that the individual does not meet the policy’s definition of disability. To receive benefits, claimants must prove that their condition meets their policy’s specific definition. Often, this definition of disability changes after a set period. This article will explain what LTD […]
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Why Long-Term Disability Benefits May Be Terminated After Initial ApprovalIf you have a disabling health condition that keeps you out of work, you may be receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits. While it is a relief to be approved after the process of filing a claim, it is important to keep in mind that an insurance company can still find a reason to terminate your […]