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If you are receiving LTD benefits and suddenly receive a letter from the insurance company that states you must meet the “any occupation” requirement, it may be confusing and seem unfair. After all, you've already met the qualifications for disability by proving you couldn't work. And you still can't work. So what is the insurance company talking about? Read below to learn more about the any occupation disability requirement and how to prove that you are still disabled. Understanding the Any Occupation Definition? Many LTD policies have a provision that defines total disability as being unable to perform the essential duties of: Your job or a reasonable alternative job offered by your employer for up to 24 months; and Any occupation…Read More
Narcolepsy is a condition caused by the brain’s inability to properly regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. People with narcolepsy often develop this neurological disorder in puberty, although it can take years for it to worsen to a point where other symptoms will manifest. But is narcolepsy a disability? Because narcoleptics may fall asleep at random or inopportune times, the disorder can be a disability if it significantly impact their ability to work. WHAT CAUSES NARCOLEPSY? While the cause of narcolepsy is unknown, studies show that many who suffer from narcolepsy don't have enough of the chemical hypocretin, which aids in sleep regulation and is responsible for making a person feel alert. People with narcolepsy may also have abnormalities in the parts of their brains that regulate REM sleep cycles. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY?…Read More
If your LTD insurance company denied your claim based on the assertion that you can still do sedentary work, what does that mean? And what is involved in proving you can't do sedentary work? What Is Sedentary Work? According to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), sedentary work is that which has a maximum physical demand that includes the ability to exert up to: 10 pounds of force occasionally (at least 1/3 of the time) and/or negligible force frequently (at least 1/3 to 2/3 of the time). Exerting force means pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving objects, including the human body. Most sedentary work involves sitting, but it can also include walking and standing briefly. What Must You Be…Read More
Is depression a disability? It can be, but getting a long-term disability insurer to approve a claim based on mental illness is an uphill battle. If you have a valid claim where your condition significantly impacts your ability to work, an Ocala FL LTD attorney can help. Clinical Depression and Bipolar Disorder While many people experience periods of feeling down, clinical depression is a mood disorder that is indicated by persistent feelings of sadness, isolation, and agitation. These feelings interfere with one’s daily life and can lead to fatigue, sleeplessness, changes in appetite, and other symptoms that make it impossible to work. Treatment often requires therapy and/or medication. People with bipolar disorder, often called manic-depressive disorder, also experience extreme depression that can affect their…Read More
Large insurance companies like The Standard are known for delaying and denying LTD claims. And the appeals process can be daunting and time-consuming. But with the help of an experienced The Standard Long-Term disability denial attorney, you can fight to get the benefits that you need. Who Is The Standard Insurance Company? The Standard is the fourth largest disability provider in the United States. They collect more than $1 billion in premiums each year for short- and long-term disability insurance. The Standard offers both group and individual plans, which range from basic to platinum options. Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company is the largest affiliate of the Securian Financial Group, and it partners with The Standard to provide disability insurance. Both…Read More
Whether you have a long-term disability plan through your employer or purchased one individually, you should be able to continue collecting a portion of your salary if you become unable to work. But what are long-term disability requirements for benefits eligibility? What hurdles do you have to clear in order to receive benefits? Where Can I Find the LTD Requirements for My Plan? If you are considering filing an LTD claim, you should look at the summary plan description for your long-term disability policy. If you don’t have one, ask for one from your human resources department or the insurance company if you have an individual plan. The plan should outline a precise definition of “disability.” In order to be…Read More
If you are receiving LTD payments, you may be eligible for a lump sum settlement that can help you financially or simply relieve you of ongoing LTD requirements. Whether your insurance company has approached you or not, you may be eligible for settlement. But is an LTD lump sum settlement right for you? What Is An LTD Lump Sum Settlement? A long-term disability lump sum settlement or buyout occurs when the insurance company make one large payment to you that settles any future claims against the policy. In exchange for that payment, you release the company from future liability for the current claim. If you accept a lump sum settlement, the insurance policy terminates and the company will not continue to…Read More
Epilepsy is a serious condition that affects your brain and can seriously impact your ability to work or perform daily activities. But is epilepsy a disability? What do you need to prove in order to qualify for long-term disability benefits? What Is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a common neurological condition affecting nearly one in 26 people. It is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. You may have epilepsy if you experienced more than one seizure that was caused by an unknown and/or irreversible medical condition. New cases of epilepsy are often diagnosed in children and people over age 55. Conditions such as strokes, brain tumors, and Alzheimer’s Disease can cause epilepsy, as well as traumatic brain injury. How Does Epilepsy Affect Your…Read More
You may have Colonial Life disability insurance through an employer plan, or an individual plan purchased to supplement employer-provided disability insurance. In either event, you likely rely on it to provide protection in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work. Unfortunately, many Colonial Life claims are denied or delayed in bad faith. If you've tried to collect benefits but have been denied, a disability appeals attorney can help. Who Is Colonial Life? While Colonial Life became a subsidiary of Unum in 1993, it continues to operate independently. It offers offers group disability insurance plans, which are covered by ERISA, as well as supplemental individual disability insurance policies. Employers are able to select terms for employee plans. Individual policies are…Read More
Substance abuse disorder can be severely disabling, affecting your daily life in serious ways. But many aren't aware that addiction can be a disease, and that if you are unable to perform the basic duties of your job because of it, you may be eligible for long-term disability benefits. Substance Abuse vs. Addiction vs. Illegal Drug Use A person who struggles with drug and/or alcohol addiction doesn’t become an addict overnight. Addiction may begin with a back injury or auto accident for which you were prescribed legal pain medication. The pain medication may consist of strong opioids — especially for injuries involving nerve damage, spinal injuries, or severe fractures. And in many cases, doctors may over-prescribe these medications instead of treating the injury with…Read More