Have you filed a long-term disability (LTD) claim that has been wrongfully denied? If so, it is time to hire a long-term disability attorney. Your LTD insurance must cover you if you become disabled and cannot work.  As long as your condition belongs to the list of conditions that qualify for LTD in the United States, you have an increased chance of getting the compensation you deserve. When you decide whether or not to hire a lawyer for your initial claim filing or your appeals, consider the following:

Your Financial Interests

If you are disabled, you could go deeply into debt or be forced into bankruptcy if you don’t get your LTD benefits. And your only recourse would be Social Security disability if you have a permanent disability. By hiring an attorney, you will be sure to get the financial benefits you need.

How the Insurance Company May Respond to Your Claim

With so much money riding on your claim, the insurance company will try everything they can to deny your claim. Claims adjusters are known for scrutinizing LTD clams closely to find insufficiencies of proof or loopholes in the policy that might justify a denial. The adjuster may request information from you while making you believe they are processing your claim, only to use this information against you. If you work with an attorney, you don’t have to deal with the adjuster yourself. Instead, you can tell them to talk to your lawyer, ensuring they cannot take advantage of your situation.

Excluded Conditions

A lot of LTD policies contain exclusions for some diseases, workplace injuries, or conditions such as fibromyalgia that medical tests cannot prove. Also, policies may contain payment limitations on conditions because of alcoholism, mental conditions, or drug abuse. Your attorney will make sure the insurance company will determine the qualification of your condition and ensure the insurance company will not wrongfully deny your claim again if you have been denied before. This is also true when it comes to matters regarding pre-existing conditions. 

Filing Complexities

The word of your doctor alone is not enough to win approval for your claim. You need to present significant medical proof to get your LTD claim approved. This proof includes diagnostic testing; however, not all conditions can be proven through tests. Injuries and illnesses that produce chronic pain, fatigue, and vertigo must be verified by different experts. A skilled LTD lawyer can help you assemble the necessary evidence to prove your disability from your doctors and other expert witnesses such as vocational experts.