Long term disability attorneys Rachel Alters and Gregory Dell explain how disability insurance claims are often reevaluated when the definition of disability changes from “own occupation” to “any occupation.” During the first phase—typically the first 24 months under many employer-sponsored policies governed by ERISA—a claimant qualifies for benefits if they cannot perform the material duties of their specific occupation as it exists in the national economy. After that period, the definition becomes stricter: the insurer may terminate benefits if it believes the claimant can perform any gainful job consistent with their education, training, and experience, often defined as work that pays around 60% of their pre-disability income.Continue Reading Prevent a Disability Insurance Benefit Denial Due to a Change of Disability Definition

This discussion provides practical tips for people who are still working but considering filing for short or long-term disability. A key first step is getting a copy of the full disability policy (not just a short summary). For employer group plans, employees can request all benefit policies from HR under the guise of general financial planning if they don’t want to signal a pending claim. The most critical foundation of any claim is strong, consistent medical documentation. Claimants should seek treatment before stopping work when possible, have doctors document all symptoms and functional limitations in detail, and ideally obtain medical support for stopping work. Using sick leave while building medical evidence can help bridge the gap and show a consistent history of problems.Continue Reading Tips to Consider Before Filing for Disability Insurance Benefits

Long term disability attorney Greg Dell and Stephen Jessup discuss Davies (formerly Disability Management Services) as a third-party administrator that handles long-term and short-term disability claims on behalf of insurance companies.Continue Reading Davies Group and Disability Insurance Claim Legal Help

Long term disability attorneys Greg Dell and Alex Palamara discuss why disability insurers like Lincoln often deny appeals even when multiple treating doctors support a claimant’s disability. Greg points out a common pattern: claimants may have four or five supportive medical sources, plus objective testing such as functional capacity exams. Yet disability insurance companies routinely rely on a single doctor—paid by the company—who performs only a “paper review,” never examines the claimant, and highlights isolated normal findings to justify a denial.Continue Reading Who Makes the Final Decision in Lincoln Financial Disability Insurance Denials?

Disability insurance attorneys Greg Dell and Steven Jessup answer common questions about MetLife disability appeals, explaining that appeals can be won but require strong medical support, detailed documentation and careful preparation.Continue Reading Metlife Disability Insurance Appeal Tips

When your disability insurance policy’s definition of “disability” changes, many claimants are vulnerable to having their benefits denied. What should claimants do to protect themselves—and their benefits? Below, we’ll discuss what happens when the change of disability definition occurs and how claimants should respond.Continue Reading How to Prevent Your Disability Benefits From Being Denied

Anywhere from one to two years after your claim for short term disability benefits has been approved, your insurance carrier will begin to evaluate whether you qualify for long term disability benefits. Far too often, the answer is no—not because your condition isn’t severe enough, but because your medical records don’t quite connect the dots when it comes to your policy’s new definition of disability. Below, we’ll discuss when disability benefit denials tend to occur, as well as what you can do to shield your claim from denial.Continue Reading Do Disability Insurance Companies Deny All Claims?

Disability insurance companies like to see objective medical evidence to approve a long term disability claim. But so many disabling conditions are “invisible” – chronic pain, mental health ailments, and other conditions that don’t show up on an MRI or other diagnostic tests. Therefore, it’s crucial that your disability insurance attorney understands your condition and can work with you and your doctors to document it. Below, the attorneys at Dell Disability Lawyers will explain exactly what type of documentation you need to maintain disability insurance benefits.Continue Reading Why Does Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Need to Understand Your Disabling Condition(s)?