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Our Services
- Disability Application
- Individual or Group Disability Policy
- Business Overhead Policy
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- Third Party Administrators
- Monthly Disability Claim Handling
- Individual Disability Claim Denial
- Group / ERISA Disability Claim Denial
- Lump-Sum Disability Policy Buyouts
- Class Action Law Suit
- Total vs. Residual Disability Analysis
- Co-Counsel Nationwide
Nationwide Representation
Disability Info Center
- Disability Cases Nationwide
- Disability Insurance Companies
- Disabling Conditions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ERISA Statutes
- Disability Forms
- GROUP v. INDIVIDUAL Disability Policies
- TOTAL vs. RESIDUAL Disability
- Disability Policy Checklist
- Free Pain Journal
- Disability Law Blog
Disability Insurance Companies
- Companion Life Insurance Company
- Sedgwick Claims Management Services
- American United Life Insurance Company
- Assurity Life Insurance Company
- Dearborn National / Fort Dearborn
- HM Life Insurance Company
- Broadspire
- Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company
- Ohio National Life Insurance Company
- Reassure America
- Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Assurant
- Unum Disability, Life and Long Term Care Insurance
- Union Central Life Insurance Company
- Trustmark
- Sun Life Financial
- Standard Insurance Company
- Prudential
- Provident
- Principal Financial Group
- Paul Revere Corporation
- Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
- New York Life Insurance Company
- Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
- Monarch Life Insurance Company
- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
- Mass Mutual Financial Group
- Lloyds of London
- Lincoln Financial Group / Lincoln National
- Liberty Mutual / Liberty Life Assurance
- Jefferson Pilot Corporation
- ING / Reliastar
- Hartford Financial Services Group
- Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
- Great-West Life Assurance Company
- Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company
- CIGNA / LINA (Life Insurance Company of North America)
- Berkshire Life Insurance Company
- AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
- AIG (American General Life and Accident Insurance Company)
- Aetna
Disabling Conditions
- Insomnia Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Syncope Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Substance Abuse Disorder Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Chronic Pain Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Eye Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Hepatitis C Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Seizures (non-epileptic) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Neck / Cervical Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Ataxia Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Kidney Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Cerebral Atrophy Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Epilepsy Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Diabetes Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- RSD / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Vestibular Dysfunction Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Shoulder Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Knee Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Osteoarthritis Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- HIV / AIDS Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Sleep Apnea Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Stroke Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Speech Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Psychosis Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Back Disorders Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Macular Edema (Eye-Disorder) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Macular Degeneration (Eye Disorder) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Lyme Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Lupus Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Heart Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Hearing Impairment Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Meniere’s Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Headaches and Migraines Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Parkinson’s Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Epstein-Barr Virus Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Depression / Anxiety Disorder Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Fibromyalgia Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Cancer Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Bipolar Disorder Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
- Crohn’s Disease Disability Insurance Benefits Claim
In The Community
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer donate to Feeding South Florida
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer are proud supporters of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer renew their commitment to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer are proud to contribute to the MDA’s Lock Up Program
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer are honored to sponsor the Second Annual Rock The Race: A Kentucky Derby Bash presented by The Ann Storck Center
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer are proud to support The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Pembroke Pines
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer helped the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation raise thousands of dollars through the Walk To Cure Diabetes
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer contributed to the Great Strides fundraising walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer are proud to support Jeannie Trujillo and the “I Dream of Jeannie” team in the Take Steps for Chron’s & Colitis
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Support The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s Evening Of Hope
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Helps To Raise Over $100,000 For Boys & Girls Club
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Participate In The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Help To Raise More Than $11,000 For Best Buddies
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Volunteer In The City Of Hallandale Beach’s Adopt-A-Shoreline Program
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it important to have a disability attorney handle my ERISA disability appeal?
- Will a disability insurance company watch me on Facebook or other social media sites?
- Can a disability insurance company rely on a Functional Capacity Exam (“FCE”) to deny long-term disability benefits?
- Is it legal to limit disability insurance benefits to 24 months for mental nervous claims?
- How can a claimant exclude their disability insurance benefit payments from Federal Income Tax?
- Can a disability insurance company claim an overpayment for social security disability benefits payable to a child as result of the parent’s disability?
- Are Disability Insurance Benefits Taxable?
- Can Veteran Disability Benefits be deducted from my monthly long term disability insurance check?
- Can a disability attorney manage all aspects of my long-term disability insurance claim?
- Can my disability insurance policy be exempt from ERISA?
- What is the discretionary clause in a disability insurance policy?
- Does my disability insurance lawsuit need to be filed in State or Federal Court?
- Is my disability insurance company required to offer me a lump sum buyout of my disability policy?
- Disability Law and Video Surveillance
- Do disability insurance companies handle a claim differently when a lawyer is involved?
- Why is ERISA an unfair law for disability insurance claimants?
- How long does the disability insurance company have to make a claim decision once the application for ERISA long term disability benefits is submitted?
- Do I have to sign the Social Security reimbursement agreement requested by disability company?
- If I can not afford medical treatment can I still collect disability insurance benefits?
- Will the disability insurance company pay my doctor to complete an Attending Physician Statement?
- Do disability insurance companies deny all claims for disability benefits?
- How can one disability company approve my claim but my other disability company has denied my claim?
- Should I stop paying my disability insurance premiums even though my claim decision is pending?
- What should I expect when I attend an IME exam requested by my disability insurance company?
- What is ERISA?
- If I am physician claiming long term disability, can I treat myself?
- If I am approved for Social Security does that mean the disability insurance company must approve my disability claim?
- What can I do if the disability insurance company is delaying disability payments?
- What does it mean when a disability insurance company pays disability benefits under a “reservation of rights”?
- What are the most common disabling conditions for a long term disability claim?
- What type of doctor should I be treating with in order to claim long term disability benefits?
- Can a disability insurance carrier claim an overpayment if a claimant receives worker compensation benefits?
- What are my options if the disability insurance company does not respond to my ERISA appeal within 45 days?
- Can I earn money while I collect long term disability benefits?
- Why does the disability insurance company request my tax returns?
- What is a Functional Capacity Exam (FCE) and should I go to a FCE?
- How can the disability insurance company deny my claim if my doctor has not released me to return to work?
- If my disability insurance claim has been denied do I have to file an Appeal before I can file a lawsuit?
- Will the insurance company pay me long term disability benefits while my appeal or lawsuit is pending?
- How long is the disability insurance company required to pay once my disability claim is approved?
- If my disability insurance claim denial is reversed will I receive interest?
- Do I need to send the “medical authorization release” form to the disability insurance company?
- Will the disability insurance company pay my attorney fees and cost if I win my Appeal?
- Can I sue my long term disabilty insurance company for bad faith or punitive damages?
- Why should I hire a disability insurance attorney to submit my ERISA Appeal?
- How do I determine my date of disability?
- What are self reported condition limitations in a group long term disability insurance policy?
- Can my long term disability claim be denied for a pre-existing condition?
- What is a residual disability income claim?
- Can I do volunteer work while I am collecting long term disability benefits?
- Does Social Security always deny disability claimants the first time they submit a claim?
- Can the disability insurance company require me to have surgery in order to collect disability benefits?
- How often does the Social Security Administration evalaute a claimant’s eligibility for SSDI benefits?
- How often does the disability insurance company expect a disability claimant to treat with a doctor?
- How does the Social Security Administration determine if a person is eligible for social security disability benefits?
- What are the five most common reasons for a long term disability insurance claim denial?
- Does social security disability approve claims that are based on subjective medical conditions?
- How long do I have to be disabled before I can file a claim for social security disability benefits?
- What is the appeal process if my Social Security Disability Claim has been denied?
- Why should I have a disability insurance attorney participate in an interview requested by the disability insurance company?
- Does the claimant, after getting a request to a field interview, have to do it?
- What happens when a long term disability insurance company requests to do a field interview regarding your claim?
- Are the outside companies hired by disability insurance companies to locate IME doctors independent?
- Are independent medical examiners hired by a disability insurance company truly independent?
- What can I do to protect myself during an IME exam requested by my disability insurance company?
- Can my disability claim be denied if my disability company never conducted an IME exam?
- Will my disability insurance company give me a copy of the IME report?
- Why is my disability insurance company requesting an IME exam?
- Do I have to attend an IME exam requested by my disability insurance company?
- Is video surveillance of a disability claimant engaged in non-work related activities sufficient evidence for a disability insurance company to deny disability benefits?
- Do I have to sit home all day in fear that my disability insurance company will videotape me and then deny my disability benefits?
- When should a disability claimant suspect that their disability insurance company is doing video surveillance?
- Why do disability insurance companies conduct secretive video surveillance?
- Can a disability insurance company conduct video surveillance of a claimant whenever and wherever they want?
- How do I obtain a copy of my long term disability insurance policy or disability plan?
- Should I allow my disability insurance company to interview me in my home?
- If my long term disability claim is wrongfully denied will the insurance company pay my attorney’s fee if I win my case?
- Can I recover attorney fees if my long-term disability claim is governed by ERISA?
- Should bipolar disorder be classified as a mental nervous condition and limited to 24 months of benefits?
- Can a disability insurance company conduct video surveillance of me without my permission?
- If I am already receiving long-term disability benefits, what actions can I take to help prevent denial of disability benefits?
- Can a long-term disability insurance company claim an overpayment once a claimant is approved for social security disability income benefits?
- Why are disability insurance policies difficult to understand?
- Why is it important to have a disability attorney when applying for disability insurance benefits?
- Does having a disability insurance attorney raise a red flag?
- What is an “own occupation” definition of disability?
- What is an “any occupation” definition of disability?
- What time frames apply to an ERISA disability appeal?
- Who are the largest private and group disability insurance companies?
- How do I know if my disability policy is subject to ERISA?
- Are there any penalties if a disability insurance company violates ERISA?
- Why was ERISA created?
- How does an individual disability claim differ from an ERISA group disability claim?
- Why consider a lump-sum buyout of your disability insurance policy?
- How do disability insurance companies calculate lump-sum buyouts?
- What is a lump sum buyout?
- What types of medical conditions are most commonly challenged by disability insurance companies?
- How important is the support of my treating physician?
- Should I speak with an attorney prior to filing my long-term disability insurance claim?
- What are my options if my long term disability insurance claim has been denied?
- Do you need to suffer a loss of income to collect disability income payments?
- Can you work in a different occupation while collecting disability income payments?
Our Resovled Cases
- CIGNA denies benefits after paying for 10 years, but Disability Attorney Stephen Jessup wins benefits for 60 year old client with fibromyalgia
- Hartford reverses disability benefit denial after previously paying 62 year old sales rep for 6 years
- Standard Insurance Company reverses disability insurance denial for a disabled lawyer
- Disability lawyers win ERISA long term disability appeal against Hartford
- $140,000 in long term disability insurance benefits is recovered for disabled teacher
- MetLife approves disability insurance benefits for OB/GYN suffering from multiple orthopedic conditions
- Federal Insurance Company and former postal worker reach confidential settlement regarding lump-sum disability policy
- Unum issues disability insurance benefits to currency trader suffering from depression and chronic fatigue
- Berkshire and Liberty Mutual approve benefits to OB/GYN suffering from essential tremor
- Life Insurance Company of North America (CIGNA) lump sum settlement buyout offer obtained for former salesman
- $4.3 million in disability benefits for general surgeon following UNUM jury verdict
- Liberty Mutual reverses decision to terminate disability benefits
- Disability carrier denies disability benefits to chiropractor after paying for 8 years, yet Attorneys Dell & Schaefer file lawsuit and obtain lump-sum buyout
- Podiatrist with median nerve injury files lawsuit and obtains lump-sum buyout of disability policy
- A general surgeon and his legal team at Dell & Schaefer win disability insurance jury trial against Unum
- Berkshire approves total disability benefits for litigation attorney following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and multi-level fusion of cervical spine
- Reed group overturns its decision to terminate short term disability benefits to medical device sales representative and retired marine corp. officer suffering from post traumatic stress disorder
- Prudential reverses denial of long term disability benefits to engineering manager suffering from coronary artery disease
- Cameraman suffering from chronic knee problems receives long-term disability benefits from the Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company
- Lincoln Financial’s denial of long-term disability benefits is reversed following appeal submitted by attorneys Dell & Schaefer
- Disability insurance attorneys Dell & Schaefer resolve lawsuit against Unum on behalf of ophthalmologist suffering from bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome
- Unum approves long-term disability benefits for a general surgeon diagnosed with cervical degenerative disc disease
- $1,200,000 mental / nervous condition settlement for a practicing attorney
- $480,000 settlement for a dentist after insurance company’s bad claims handling are exposed
- A former podiatrist and current national judo champion and marathon runner collects long-term disability benefits
- Aetna approves disability benefits for dentist following brain surgery to remove a tumor
- Aetna’s denial of disability benefits to an OBGYN physician is reversed following an appeal submitted by attorneys Dell & Schaefer
- Attorney Dell & Schaefer prove dentist is totally disabled and not residually disabled
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer win long term disability insurance appeal against MetLife on behalf of engineer suffering from Parkinson’s
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer win benefits for client under a catastrophic illness policy
- Attorneys Dell & Schaefer win long-term disability trial against Prudential Insurance Company Of America on behalf of time-share salesperson suffering from cervical disc disease
- Attorneys Dell And Schaefer obtain lump sum buy-out of an Unum long term disability insurance policy for a drywall contractor
- AXA Equitable and Disability Management Services approves benefits for a chiropractor suffering from lumbar and cervical disc disease
- Berkshire Life Insurance Company approves long-term disability benefits for a dentist suffering from lumbar disc disease
- Chiropractor placed on claim despite an “any occupation” provision
- Chiropractor receives total disability benefits despite neck exclusion language in a Trustmark Insurance Company disability policy
- Cigna approves internal medicine doctor for long-term total disability benefits
- Cigna reinstates disability benefits for an accounting manager
- Dentist wins appeal and UNUM Provident pays disability benefits
- Dentist with hand tremor files suit and receives confidential settlement for past due and future long-term disability benefits
- Disability insurance carrier cuts veterinarian’s benefits after paying for 9 years
- ENT doctor receives $225,000 and continues to work in his same occupation while collecting disability
- Equitable pays total disability benefits to an attorney
- ERISA disablity insurance claim: pre-existing condition denial overturned for executive
- Executive assistant recieves confidential settlement from USAA Life for long-term disability policy
- Federal Express (“FEDEX”) thought their disability insurance plan was governed by ERISA, but attorneys Dell & Schaefer and the US Southern District Court of Florida disagree
- Former government bond trader and 9-11 survivor receives more than one million dollars in long-term disability benefits
- Former options trader receives confidential long-term disability settlement 10 years after his original claim was denied
- Hartford agrees to lump-sum buyout of long-term disability policy for account executive
- Hartford and Unum approve long-term disability benefits for disabled radiologist
- Hartford approves long-term disability benefits for teaching assistant with multiple sclerosis
- Lincoln Financial approves long-term disability benefits for financial advisor injured in car accident
- Mass Mutual approves long-term disability benefits in excess of $12,000 a month for a financial advisor suffering from musclar dystrohpy (FSHD)
- Mass Mutual attempts to deny disability benefits to OBGYN after ten years on claim
- MetLife approves long term disability benefits for senior sales manager in the medical supply industry
- Neurosurgeon awarded partial disability benefits
- Podiatrist receives lump-sum buyout at pre-suit mediation with long-term disability insurer
- Prudential pays computer system engineer’s ERISA disability benefits after 3 unsuccessful appeals by the insured and his previous attorney
- Prudential reinstates long-term disability benefits to sales specialist following appeal filed by attorneys Dell & Schaefer
- Prudential reverses denial on second appeal & pays $260,000 in past due disability benefits to OBGYN
- Psychiatrist receives $375,000 long-term disability insurance buyout
- Real estate agent recieves lump sum settlement from Unum Provident after appeal is filed
- The Standard Insurance Company’s denial of disability benefits is reversed on appeal
- Unum approves dentist for residual/partial long-term disability benefits
- Unum approves long-term disability benefits for a trial attorney suffering from diabetic neuropathy
- Unum approves opthamologist for long-term total disabilty benefits
- Unum challenges the long term disability claim of a blind salesman
- Unum Provident and Monarch Life Insurance Company pay total disability to dentist
- Unum Provident approves physiologist’s claim for disability benefits
- Unum Provident pays advertising executive total disability benefits
- Unum Provident pays total disability benefits to a chiropractor with breast cancer
- Teacher suffering from Sjorgen’s syndrome, fibromyalgia and other conditions receives lump-sum buyout following denial of long-term disability benefits
- Liberty Mutual reverses denial of short-term disability benefits and approves long-term disability benefits for advertising account manager
- Jefferson Pilot’s denial of long-term disability benefits to a quality control manager is reversed
Disability Cases Nationwide
- Tempur employee suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome sues Union Central Life for denial of disability benefits
- Wells Fargo disability claimants in Alabama and Florida file lawsuits against Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston for unpaid long term disability benefits
- Texas claimant takes Reliastar to task for denied disability benefits
- Duke University Doctor sues UNUM Life Insurance Company for long term disability benefits
- California Consultant sues Northwestern Life Insurance Company for unpaid disability benefits
- At least five lawsuits were recently filed in Florida District Courts against Prudential for non-payment of disability benefits to deserving claimants
- Electrical assembly worker for Northrop Grumman files a complaint against UNUM for denial of long term disability benefits
- CIGNA under fire in Minnesota Federal Court for termination of claimant’s disability benefits
- Question writer for Jeopardy/Sony Pictures files suit against Prudential
- New Jersey claimant files suit against New York Life, Unum and Paul Revere for miscalculated disability benefits
- New Jersey BankUnited employee files suit against Lincoln National
- Office Depot employee files suit against employer and Aetna for unpaid disability benefits
- Dental surgeon sues Paul Revere Life Insurance Company for wrongful denial of long-term disability benefits
- Bank of America, Boeing, and Cytec Industries employees file lawsuits against Aetna Life Insurance Company over disability benefits
- Northwestern Mutual sued by shareholder attorney for underpaying and denying long-term disability benefits
- CIGNA has three new lawsuits to deal with for unpaid disability benefits
- Employees of Wells Fargo, Heinz, and Otis Elevator sue Liberty Life for denial of ERISA benefits
- Registered nurse at Temple University Hospital denied disability benefits, sues Cigna
- Aetna Life Insurance Company sued by Bank of America and Huhtamaki employees for failing to provide ERISA benefits
- Disabled attorney forced to sue UNUM for her disability benefits
- Five disability lawsuits recently filed against UNUM in Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan
- Liberty Life faces disability benefit lawsuits in Florida and Maryland for denying disability benefits
- CIGNA/LINA sued by Lockheed Martin employee for unpaid disability benefits
- Radio personality files lawsuit against UNUM to recover disability benefits
- Liberty Mutual must consider disability appeal submitted 2.5 years after denial
- CIGNA denies disability claim and gets sued by neurologist
- Microsoft employee denied disability benefits by Prudential
- Five lawsuits recently filed in Florida Courts against Prudential for non-payment of disability benefits to deserving claimants
- General surgeon files lawsuit against Provident Life and UNUM for disability benefits award
- Two Yellow Book employees sue Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston for failing to pay ERISA disability benefits
- Microsoft employee forced to sue Prudential for denial of ERISA disability benefits
- Wyeth Pharmaceutical/Pfizer Senior Attorney suffering from disability sues Ohio National Life Insurance Company for denial of disability benefits
- Panasonic and Microsoft employees sue Prudential in Tennessee and Indiana for denying their disability claims
- Employees of Boeing and Bank of America sue Aetna for denying disability benefits under ERISA regulations
- Disabled Georgia man sues Boston Mutual for denial of disability benefits
- After being denied disability benefits, Rabbi suffering from bipolar disorder sues CIGNA
- Jury orders Unum Provident to pay lifetime long term disability insurance benefits to physician
- Prudential denies disability benefits to KPMG employee suffering from “sick sinus” syndrome
- Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston sued under ERISA in three different cases for denial to pay disability benefits
- UnitedHealth Group, Inc. Recruiting Manager suffering from depression and anxiety denied benefits
- Standard Motor Products Employee file an ERISA Lawsuit against Prudential Insurance for denied disability benefits
- Ohio National Life Insurance Company denies claim after 7 years of disability payments
- Ladenburg Thalmann Branch Manager suffering from injured back sues CIGNA for denial of disability benefits
- Disability attorney and client suffering from fibromyalgia and hypertension sue UNUM for unpaid long term disability benefits
- Nestle Waters employee sues Assurant for denial of disability benefits under ERISA
- Prudential Insurance Company of America recently sued three times under ERISA for denying disability benefits
- Delta Air Lines Customer Service employee files lawsuit against Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. for denial of disability benefits
- Life Insurance Company of North America sued under ERISA in three different cases for denial to pay disability benefits
- TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation financial analyst suffering from Type II diabetes and heart condition sues Prudential
- Disabled South Carolina doctor sues Berkshire Life for disability benefits