MetLife is a gigantic disability insurance company that sells both short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefit policies. You may not realize that each policy is different. This means that your best shot at avoiding a denied disability claim, and of being approved without needing to go through an appeals process, is to have the help of a disability insurance law firm.

At Dell & Schaefer, the first thing we do is review your policy. We determine exactly the definition used in your policy for disability and work from there. Often, for the first 24-months of receiving disability, you must show that you are unable to perform the material duties of your own occupation. After that, the definition may change and require you to show you are unable to perform the duties of any occupation for which you have education or training.

Whatever the definition of disability is in your policy, or whether you are applying for STD benefits or LTD benefits, at Dell & Schaefer, our experienced disability attorneys have found that the following is required in order for your claim for disability benefits to be approved.

You Must Have Strong Documentation of Your Medical Condition

In order for you to get approval of your claim for your disability insurance benefit, you must have strong documentation of your medical condition. This means you need to have more than just one visit to your primary care physician. Depending on your medical condition, you may need to see a specialist. Perhaps you need, for example, a statement from an orthopedist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, or pain management doctor.

You may have been working for years with this same medical condition. The company will say, “What changed? Why can’t you work now?” We have to show the insurance company what has changed and why you can no longer perform your job duties.

When we help you with your claim, we make sure you have seen the appropriate specialists and have the strong documentation of your disability. MetLife will have your medical records reviewed by its own medical specialists who are looking for any reason they can find to deny your claim.

We want you to have your claim approved the first time you submit it. We know what documentation MetLife is looking for. For example, in addition to making sure you have physician statements from the proper specialists, we also know when the company requires certain test results, like an MRI, CT scan, or blood tests. We work with your doctors to be sure they are on board with your need for disability and will provide the documentation we need to support your clam.

Presentation of Your Occupational Duties is Critical for Claim Approval

Once you have established a diagnosis, you must show how that disease or condition prevents you from performing your job duties. You cannot rely on your employer’s definition or what the employer puts on the general form MetLife provides.

We help you prepare a detailed description of your job duties. This must include everything you do each day and describe how your medical condition makes it impossible for you to perform those job duties.

Dell & Schaefer Can Help

The first step is for you to call us at 800-411-9085 or contact us online. We will ask you to provide us a copy of your policy for our review. After a disability insurance lawyer has reviewed your policy, we will tell you whether we think we can help you and discuss with you your options. If you think your job is in jeopardy, you need to call us before you lose your job. It is difficult, sometimes impossible, to obtain benefits if you have been fired.

We explain to you that we generally do not charge any fees or costs unless we make a recovery for you. There is really no risk to you. We can help you wherever you live in the country. We appreciate you considering our firm and we look forward to speaking with you.