Have you applied to Long-Term Disability?

Have you been involved in a life-changing car accident or diagnosed with a serious illness or disease which has rendered you out of work? If you are covered by Long-term Disability (LTD) insurance at your workplace, you may apply for LTD benefits under the insurance policy to offset your financial loss from your time off work. A typical plan pays a portion of your monthly income.

LTD policies vary from insurance company to insurance company, as insurance companies use varying definitions of “disability” that determines whether or not you are eligible. Some common injuries and impairments that are often deemed as a “disability” include: brain injuries, back injuries, fractures, diabetes, cancer, PTSD, and issues relating to mental health.

LTD claims typically fall under two types of categories – “own occupation” and “any occupation”. In an “own occupation” policy, to be deemed “totally disabled” you must be unable to perform the essential tasks of your own occupation. In an “any occupation” policy, to fall under the category of “totally disabled” you must be unable to engage in the duties of any occupation that you are reasonably suited for in light of your education, training, work experience, and other factors.

It is important to carefully go through your LTD policy not only to assess your eligibility, but also to familiarize yourself with the claim making process. You should seek to understand the procedure for filing a claim, the documents you have to provide, deadlines for filing a claim and for appealing a denial.

In the event of you retain a lawyer, it is imperative that you keep all relevant documentation, including the LTD policy, a copy of your application package, all correspondences between you and your insurer, and all medical records pertaining to your injuries or illnesses.

If your LTD claim is denied, our team of lawyers at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LLPis here to help. We will assess the reasonableness of the denial and we will be ready to fight on your behalf. We believe that injured workers should be paid every penny that they are entitled to and are deserving of adequate legal representation. Contact us for a free initial consultation today.