Long-Term Disability Lawyer Serving Washington, D.C.
When you develop a medical condition that prevents you from working it can be overwhelming. It may be necessary to file for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. These benefits can help protect your income when you cannot work.
Handling long-term disability claims on your own is not always the best option. LTD policies are often confusing, and if you do not understand something it can lead to mistakes, which may result in a denial of benefits. It is beneficial to contact a lawyer. A long-term disability lawyer serving Washington, D.C. from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help. Call us today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.
Contacting a Lawyer for Your Washington, D.C. Claim is Beneficial
The disability rate in Washington, D.C. between 2016 and 2020 was 8.2 percent. Moreover, according to the CDC, a resident of Washington, D.C. can expect to pay—on average—$27,839 in healthcare costs for their disability. For many, this is a staggering amount if they cannot work. Therefore, obtaining long-term disability benefits is vital for any professional who develops a debilitating condition.
Consulting an experienced LTD lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes with the claim and appeal process. Such mistakes can lead to denials of benefits. A lawyer understands the difficulties of the process and knows how to handle obstacles that may arise.
ERISA law governs most group policies, though there are exceptions (e.g., governmental jobs). ERISA is a federal law that has strict deadlines and stringent regulations you must follow. An ERISA attorney has expertise with this law and knows how to navigate it.
In short, our dedicated long-term disability team can track all deadlines and ensure that your insurance company receives all requests on time.
CCK Can Gather Evidence to Prove You Meet Your Definition of Disability
Medical records are often your main source of evidence. When you file for long-term disability benefits, however, you should not rely solely on such records. Instead, it is advantageous to submit supplemental evidence to bolster your claim. CCK utilizes various forms of such evidence to prove your disability per the definition of disability within your policy. Supplemental evidence can include:
- Specialized reports from your treating physicians: Your medical records often do not tell the whole story of your condition. A specialized report from your treating physician(s) can illuminate certain aspects of your condition and show how far-reaching and debilitating it is. It is crucial to maintain an open dialogue with your doctors so that they may accurately describe your condition and how it affects you daily.
- Witness statements from family, friends, and coworkers: Witness statements can show how your condition affects you in both your public and private life. For example, an official witness statement from a family member or close friend can show how your condition affects you at home. Likewise, a witness statement from a coworker can attest to how your condition prevents you from working.
- Opinions from outside experts: CCK works with various outside experts who can provide their objective opinion on your condition. These experts can conduct further evaluations to illustrate your need for LTD benefits. Experts can provide functional capacity, neurophysiological, and/or vocational evaluations.
CCK Can Alleviate the Stress of Dealing with the Insurance Company
At CCK, we believe you should not have to worry about filing for long-term disability benefits. Instead, you should focus on managing your condition. However, dealing with your insurer is not always easy. They request information frequently and may surveil you to find a reason to issue a denial. This added stress of the insurance company can be overwhelming.
Insurance companies routinely deny claims. These companies do not want to approve claims because they often prioritize their financial needs rather than the health needs of their clients. As such, if they can find a reason to not pay a claim, they will. A long-term disability insurance attorney from CCK serving Washington, D.C. can help you deal with these companies.
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can act as a point of contact between you and your insurer. This means we can handle all correspondence with them so that you do not have to directly deal with them at any point during the process. Further, we will submit all evidence, track all deadlines, and respond to any additional requests your insurer may have.
Moreover, should your initial claim receive a denial, our team is ready to assist you with your appeal. We can evaluate your denial letter, address specific issues therein, and put together a comprehensive appeal package along with updated evidence to send to your insurer.
Contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick for a Free Consultation
If you suffer from a medical condition that prevents you from working, you must consider filing for long-term disability benefits. This process can be daunting, and consulting with a long-term disability attorney is important. Likewise, if you are filing an appeal or facing litigation to get your benefits, CCK may be able to help you.
A long-term disability lawyer serving Washington, D.C. from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick is ready to assist you regardless of where in the process you are. Call us 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 help you.
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