Should I Hire a Long Term Disability Attorney?

If you are unable to work due to an injury or illness, you should consult a long term disability attorney to find out if you can obtain benefits. Filing an LTD claim can be complicated, and many claims are denied. A single error in your application or a missed deadline could jeopardize your claim. Work with a long term disability attorney to have a better chance of obtaining benefits quickly and avoid costly mistakes. Call CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today to find out how we can help you.

What Can a Long Term Disability Attorney Do to Help Me?

Prepare Your Claims File for a Lawsuit

Preparing a claims file for a lawsuit is important is crucial to maximizing your chances of success. In some cases, you will not be able to submit additional evidence once you file a lawsuit. It’s important to get all of the evidence into your file while it is still in the claims stage. This will require your long term disability attorney to obtain medical evidence, vocational information, and more. He will also submit it to the insurance company early in the claims process. By the time you take your case to court, all of the necessary evidence should already be in your claims file.

Work With Vocational Experts

One of the key factors in obtaining long term disability insurance is proving that you’re unable to work. Depending on your policy, that may mean that you cannot do your “own occupation” or “any occupation.” A vocation expert will likely be needed to prove that you cannot complete the duties and responsibilities of required occupations. Your long term disability attorney should obtain independent vocational experts to counter any testimony from the insurance company that you are able to work.

Serve as Your Representative

Your attorney will act on your behalf when dealing with insurance companies, employers, and court personnel. Although you may have to appear at hearings and other official meetings, your long term disability attorney can speak on your behalf and submit evidence for you. If you are unsure about how to answer a question or deal with a situation, your attorney can step in and help you.

Prep You for Hearings and Trial

Although your long term disability attorney can appear on your behalf, there are situations where you will have to attend meetings, hearings, or ultimately a trial. However, your attorney can help prepare you for those situations by explaining the legal process and your rights. Once you are aware of what should happen, you will feel more secure about attending hearings. If you have to speak during hearings or trial, your attorney can also prepare you by asking you anticipated questions and helping you develop answers. Your lawyer is familiar with the LTD process and can help you properly prepare.

When You Should Hire a Long Term Disability Attorney

If you are unable to work and are considering filing for LTD insurance benefits, you should consider hiring an attorney. An attorney can help you from the first step of filing a claim with the insurance company. You don’t have to wait until you get a denial or are seeking an appeal. It’s best to contact an attorney in the beginning of the LTD process so you can complete each step appropriately.

People who are not represented by a long term disability attorney often make mistakes when they qualify for LTD benefits. Common mistakes include:

• People often quit work and then file for LTD benefits. Once you quit your employment position, you are no longer covered by employer-sponsored long term disability insurance. Thus, you should not quit your job if you become disabled and unable to work.
• People often seek less demanding work that is lower paying. You may want to continue working for as long as you can by taking on a job that is not as demanding. However, if your job is “less strenuous,” it can be more difficult to prove that you’re unable to perform your job duties. Further, if your job is lower paying, you will lower the amount that you can get in an LTD claim.
• People often make mistakes on the claim forms. LTD claim forms can be complicated. They often request personal information about your medical conditions and job responsibilities. If you fail to provide all of the information requested, your claim may be denied.

Contact a Long Term Disability Attorney Today

By working with a lawyer who focuses on long term disability law and claims, you can give yourself the best chance possible that your claim will be approved. Call our long term disability attorney today at CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC.