It is an unfortunate fact of life that some of the companies we depend upon to help us through difficult times let us down when it comes time to deliver. A prime example of the disappointment and frustration insurance policyholders can face is a denial of a valid disability claim. If you’ve received a Liberty Mutual long-term disability denial, an experienced Ocala FL LTD attorney at CJ Henry Law Firm PLLC can help.
Despite the friendly advertisements, Liberty Mutual has a long history of consumer complaints. A report from the American Association of Justice lists the insurance company as one of the ten worst in the country.
There is no shortage of complaints from consumers about the tactics Liberty Mutual employs to avoid paying disability claims. These include delayed disability payments and wrongly denied claims based on claims that necessary paperwork was lost or never received.
Denying legitimate long-term disability claims is only one way Liberty Mutual tries to keep from paying benefits. The insurance company once violated New York state law when it opted not to renew coverage for people who had policies with several insurance companies.
In addition to charges that Liberty Mutual denied renewal coverage to some customers, the company was also charged with bid-rigging. Liberty Mutual received complaints from its own agents about their poor customer service and bad-faith practices. Agents and vendors protested against the company’s questionable practices which have resulted in lawsuits against them.
Here are some examples of reasons Liberty Mutual use to deny long-term disability claims:
The insurance company may claim that there is not enough objective evidence to grant the claim. Objective evidence includes test results such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ECTs. Basically, any test that will produce measurable results is considered objective. Liberty Mutual may make it more difficult to collect disability benefits for conditions that cannot be demonstrated using strictly objective tests such as sciatica pain or fibromyalgia.
Even if you are able to show objective medical evidence of your disability, Liberty Mutual may use another tactic to deny your claim. They may decide your claim doesn’t have enough evidence that you are actually disabled or have a “functional impairment.” For example, they may say that the information you provided doesn’t tell them what you can and cannot do, such as lift 20 pounds or stand for an hour.
It all boils down to the same thing: Liberty Mutual is looking for any reason they can find to avoid paying your disability claim.
Liberty Mutual may also deny your claim because they assert that you can still perform some of the requirements of your job.
For example, if your job involves sitting for most of the day, the insurance company may claim that based on your test results, you should be able to do your job. However, they are not considering all of the duties your job involves. In addition to physical functions, your job requires cognitive functions too. If your pain is so great that it interferes with your concentration or your ability to remember crucial information, you likely are unable to complete your job duties.
Another implausible reason Liberty Mutual may use is to say that since your doctor has stopped sending in written reports “you must not be disabled anymore.” But the reason your doctor has stopped sending written reports really has nothing to do with your disability diagnosis. It’s because the insurance company buries the doctor under forms every month, or they call regularly and ask the doctor to make comments about the report he or she wrote. In short, the insurance company makes it untenable for your doctor to do his or her job and keep up with the constant demands of the insurance company.
If you’re a Liberty Mutual policyholder and have received a denial of your long-term disability claim, don’t give up hope. With the help of a qualified disability attorney, you may be able to receive disability benefits you deserve. Insurance companies may use many tactics to avoid paying long-term disability benefits, but we are well aware of these ploys and know how to fight against them.
To learn more about how we can help you fight a Liberty Mutual long-term disability denial, speak to an attorney at CJ Henry Law Firm PLLC today.
