Savvy workers understand the importance of having safety nets in place in case they become disabled and are unable to return to their jobs. Up to 25 percent of all workers who are currently in their 20s will be disabled by an illness or accident at some point during their careers. Long-term disability insurance can help by offering financial protection if workers are disabled. The experienced lawyers at Osterhout Berger Disability Law are dedicated to helping people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with their long-term disability insurance claims and appeals.
Appealing a Denied LTD Claim
Insurance companies often deny initial claims for long-term disability benefits. They do this so that they can maximize their profits. Your insurance company will send you a notice of denial letter if it denies your claim. It is important for you to carefully read this letter. In it, you’ll find a list of reasons that the company used to reach its decision. The notice will also contain information about how you can appeal the denial and the deadline for filing your appeal. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to later seek benefits from the company for your disability, so it is vital that you follow the process and meet the deadline as they are outlined in your notice.
What to Do and What to Avoid
When you are appealing a denial, it is important for you to understand what you should do and what you should not do. You should start by consulting with the experienced lawyers at Osterhout Berger Disability Law about your rights. You will also want to request a complete copy of your file from your company. It will contain all of the evidence that the company used to make its decision. Review your file and your insurance policy carefully, and bring them with you to our office.
It is important that you avoid firing off your appeal without first reviewing your file in a knee-jerk reaction. All communication between you and the company regarding your claim should be made in writing using return receipt, certified mail. Make certain to keep seeing your doctor and following all of his or her treatment recommendations. This helps to build the medical evidence that your long-term benefits are warranted.
Getting the Benefits you Deserve
When your experienced lawyer at Osterhout Berger Disability Law works with you on your claim or appeal, it is important for you to understand the responsibilities that you will hold. Your claim must proceed through your company’s internal process for appeals, and you must go through all of the internal levels of appeal before you can file a lawsuit against the company in court. Because you will only be able to use the information that is contained in your file at the company if you file a lawsuit later, we will work to help you with adding as much evidence that is favorable to your claim as possible. This means that your experienced attorney may want you to attend additional appointments for diagnostic and functional testing and to submit to medical examinations. It is also very important that you are completely honest throughout your claims process to the company, your doctor and your lawyer. If you are not, it may be much more difficult to win your appeal. Some people think that by exaggerating their symptoms they will help their claims, but doing so can backfire.
Long-term disability insurance can offer a vital financial safety net for you when you are injured and become disabled. One of the experienced attorneys at Osterhout Berger Disability Law will work closely with you to try to secure the benefits that you deserve. Contact us today to tell us more about your case.
