Collecting Bipolar Disorder Disability Benefits Is A Reality

Disability carriers often challenge a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. How can Disability Insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer assist you?

As disability insurance attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous long term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result of bipolar disorder. Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have an expansive understanding of the significant restrictions and limitations that a person with bi-polar disorder must live with on a daily basis. We have worked closely with top physicians in order to sufficiently satisfy a disability carrier’s threshold of evidence necessary to prove that a client is disabled by bipolar disorder is.

Not everyone suffering with bipolar disorder qualifies for long-term disability benefits, therefore the medicals records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim. You can contact us for a free initial consultation.

Attorneys Dell & Schaefer often battle with disability insurance carriers in determining whether bipolar disorder is a mental nervous condition or an organic brain disorder. In a long-term disability policy a mental nervous condition is usually limited to a maximum of 24 months of benefits; whereas a physical condition such as bipolar disorder would usually not be limited to 24 months if it is proven to be an organic brain disorder. Disability carriers will regularly challenge a diagnosis of bipolar as they are aware that it has been classified in the medical literature as an organic brain disorder. There are a variety of legal court decisions around the country that have classified bipolar disorder as an organic brain disorder. If a long-term disability policy does not include bipolar disorder within the mental nervous limitation clause, then a claimant should challenge any attempt to classify bipolar disorder as a non-physical illness. A skilled psychiatrist and psychologist are a critical component in appropriately documenting bipolar disorder.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is an organic brain disorder that causes remarkable shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and can hinder the ability for a person to accomplish everyday tasks. People who suffer from bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia, due to the appearance of psychotic symptoms. It should be noted that even individuals that display psychotic symptoms as a feature of their bipolar disorder, never meet the full diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.

Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. It usually appears between ages 15 – 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people who have bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder seem to have imbalanced amounts of neurotransmitters called dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which help control persons moods. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain which send messages to different parts of our brain to control various functions.

How the symptoms can affect you

People who suffer with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that are called “mood episodes.” An overly elated or overexcited state is called a “manic episode”, and an extremely sad or despondent state is called a “depressive episode”.

Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a “mixed state”. People with bipolar disorder may also be volatile and irritable during a mood episode.

Physical changes in a person that suffers from bipolar disorder can be equally incapacitating and can include talking faster, racing thoughts, insomnia and impulsive behavior.

Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people with the disorder need long-term treatment, including psychotherapy and medication, to maintain control of their symptoms.

However, sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally. Bipolar symptoms can result in damaged personal and professional relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Resources and information

There are many valuable sources of bipolar disorder information available. You can also access resources over the internet such as:

There are numerous charities dedicated to bipolar disorder research and treatment including:

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Disability Company Reviews
(653)
Showing 8 of 653 Reviews
New York Life

New York Life is a joke!

Reviewed by Heather on October 3rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
This company sucks when it comes to disability claims. They are slow at processing stuff, then they always say they didn't recieve the doctors information. You spend your ... read more >
MetLife

They FULL OF ****

Reviewed by KM on October 3rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
MetLife is what everyone on this review are saying. They don't contact you to let you know what's going on with your claim or to let know you need additional info. I had a... read more >
Sedgwick

Worst Company Ever

Reviewed by RobRob on September 23rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
If something happens to you at work you better hope you die, my son is going through HELL because this company is handling his work comp. NO RETURN PHONE CALLS, TEXTS, EMA... read more >
MetLife

MetLife for disability? Avoid the surgery unless it's life-threatening

Reviewed by Jeff on August 22nd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
The worst company I ever dealt with, never received a call from my claim manager.
Reliance Standard

Short Term Disability Claim/Inconsistent to NO Communication

Reviewed by GaKRN on August 22nd 2024   Verified Policyholder | June 2024 date of disability
When I did call & reach a live person they were kind & helpful. The person assigned to my claim left one phone message & I have not spoken to her since. Information she re... read more >
New York Life

New York Life said if I had gotten a knee replacement I would have been eligible for benefits. Sorry New York Life, my knee had to wait when I was in the hospital 4 times for my bipolar disorder

Reviewed by Deb on June 17th 2014   Verified Policyholder
Well, New York Life has done their Re-Eval, and it looks like it will be a “No.” I had two disabilities when I left my last job. Bipolar Disorder, and need of a knee r... read more >
Reply
Sent on June 17th 2014 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Deb, if New York Life does deny your appeal, please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist you in potentially bringing a lawsuit under ... read more >

MetLife

I’m not disabled in MetLife’s eyes, even though I cannot do daily tasks and am on over 5 medicines.

Reviewed by Jennifer on May 4th 2013   Verified Policyholder
I have worked for my work for over 4 years. During working for this company I learned I have bipolar, anxiety, and depression. I have gone out of work about 4 times for th... read more >
Reply
Sent on May 4th 2013 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Jennifer, You will need to file an appeal of your MetLife disability denial. Your disability policy should tell you the time frame within which you need to file an appe... read more >

Unum

I don’t understand how they can get away with this

Reviewed by Patti Welch on November 7th 2012   Verified Policyholder
I was living in Fairbanks, Alaska. And got very sick. Ended up in hospital for 2 days. Was told to get my own doctor, which I did. He refused to let me return to work and ... read more >
Reply
Sent on November 7th 2012 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Patti, Did you ever appeal the Unum denial of benefits? If you did, then you may still have time to sue Unum and seek reinstatement of benefits.

Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(10)
Showing 8 of 10 Answered Questions

Q: Would any new disabling conditions be considered by Metlife when considering whether or not to continue my benefits?

Answered on October 11th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: The change in diagnosis will likely lead to denial so please explain the situation to your treating doctor. Me... Read More >

Q: Bipolar on STD Hartford is LTD

Answered on June 6th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: I am sorry to hear what you are going through. It seems like you should easily be approved based upon your ext... Read More >

Q: Can Aetna deny my application on the basis of pre-exisiting condition? Do they discriminate against the mentally ill?

Answered on September 2nd 2020 by Attorney Steven Dell
A: Molly, unlike health insurance plans, a disability insurance carrier can deny application for coverage based o... Read More >

Q: Is 6 month reporting normal?

Answered on March 8th 2017 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Joe, six month reporting is very normal, and often New York Life requires monthly or every three months so the... Read More >

Q: Is it true that I can't go on STD again for the same reason as last time?

Answered on January 19th 2016 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Melissa, It depends on the language of the policy. If the policy will only ever cover a certain period of time... Read More >

Q: Does UNUM need to see an ever worsening series of physician reports to keep approving?

Answered on September 14th 2015 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Dan, all disability claims are as strong as the medical support. It takes a concerted effort with your doctors... Read More >

Q: How can Cigna use SSDI as an offset yet not accept me as disabled?

Answered on November 1st 2014 by Attorney Alex Palamara
A: Bethbug, The law is clear that receipt of SSDI does not guarantee the right to benefits under a private disabi... Read More >

Q: Should I add my physical illnesses to my exsisting STD claim or file a new claim?

Answered on September 2nd 2014 by Attorney Rachel Alters
A: Rodney, Yes. Disability insurance claims consider all conditions that may be resulting in your inability to wo... Read More >
Helpful Videos
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Disability Benefit Tips
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Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips

Should bipolar disorder be classified as a mental nervous condition and limited to 24 months of benefits?

Attorneys Dell & Schaefer often battle with disability insurance carriers in determining whether bipolar disorder is a mental nervous condition or an organic brain disorder.In a long-term disability policy a mental nervous condition is usually limited to a maximum of 24 months of benefits; whereas a physical condition such as bipolar would usually not be limited to 24 months if it is proven to be an or... Read More >

Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?

When it comes to securing your disability insurance benefits, it's vitally important that your disability insurance lawyer thoroughly understands the symptoms and impact of your disabling condition. Doctors can help you create strong medical records, but they're not accustomed to dealing with the rigorous documentation disability insurance companies require. Lea... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #5 – Your Medical Evidence is Weak

If you're seeking long term disability benefits from an insurance company, you may be concerned that you're facing an uphill battle. Fortunately, the stronger your medical evidence, the greater the odds that your claim will be approved. On the other side of the coin, one of the most common reasons for denial of long term disability benefits involves too-weak med... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company

When you're seeking disability insurance benefits, your medical records and treating physician's statement are two of the most important components of your claim. But because the insurance company has a vested interest in denying your disability insurance claim, it often will rely on tactics like ambushing your doctor with a phone call in an attempt to get them ... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance

One thing many disability insurance claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims review process involves video and social media surveillance. Disability insurance carriers often hire people to follow claimants around with a telephoto lens - or even send social media friend requests from fake accounts - to glean whatever information they can about the c... Read More >

How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?

Getting a denial letter from your disability insurance company is one of the ultimate insults. You are sick and not able to work, yet your disability insurance company is telling you to return to work. The disability insurance company has denied your disability benefit claim and is basically calling you a liar. When receiving a disability denial letter or a ph... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review

One of the top reasons for terminating a claimant's long term disability benefits involves the change in the disability insurance policy's definition of "disability." This definition change often happens in conjunction with a vocational review, or an analysis of a claimant's medical records that tells the insurance company which jobs the claimant should be able ... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME

At Dell Disability Lawyers, we've seen insurance companies give countless reasons to deny long term disability benefits. However, most disability benefit denials tend to fall into one of a few categories - and one of the biggest ones is the paper review and independent medical exam (IME). Learn more about what this review process entails and what your claim file... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(375)
Showing 8 of 375 Dell Disability Cases

Prudential overturned previous denial of long term disability benefits for Oregon Software Engineer

Our client, Mr. B, formerly worked as a Software Engineer for an International Software Corporation. In November 2014 a number of issues including chronic bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, short term memory loss, and obstructive sleep apnea forced Mr. B to stop working and submit his claim for disability benefits first under his employer’s self-funded short term disability (“STD”) plan administ... Read More >

CIGNA overturned previous denial of long term disability benefits for New Jersey Account Manager

Our client, Mr. W, formerly worked as an Account Manager for a large entertainment Company. In May 2015 a number of co-morbid physical and psychiatric conditions and ailments forced Mr. W to stop working and submit his claim for disability benefits first under his employer’s short term disability (“STD”) Policy then continuing under his employer’s Long-Term Disability (“LTD”) Policy both benefits w... Read More >

Senior Global Tax Director for billion dollar worldwide industrial company is again receiving disability benefits from MetLife after Appeal by Attorney Alexander Palamara

To say my client had an intellectually demanding job is an understatement. The corporation he worked for operates in 35 countries and employs over 12,000 people worldwide. As a Senior Global Tax Director, amongst many duties, he was charged with developing and coordinating the Tax Policy of the company to ensure timely international tax compliance filings and execution of tax strategies. It was certainly an oc... Read More >

After Appeal filed by Attorney Alexander Palamara, Cigna overturns its previous denial of long term disability benefits for Retail Clerk suffering from Bipolar Disorder and Chronic Pain

After receiving benefits for only 2 months, a retail clerk responsible for processing manufacturer returns was denied continued Long Term Disability Benefits by Cigna. Though she suffered from arthritis, chronic knee pain, chronic back pain, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, Cigna felt justified in its denial of her claim.In its denial letter, Cigna stated it relied upon reviews by its own employe... Read More >

After Aetna denied Ms. Garner's long-term disability claim, Ms. Garner filed suit against Aetna, and the Court overturned Aetna's decision and ordered it to pay Ms. Garner's disability benefits

In 2004, Sally took a leave of absence from her job as an import supervisor for a global shipping company to undergo surgery for an internal left knee derangement. During that time she had also been suffering from severe symptoms of depression following her son’s departure to college and the at-home environment changing. Her doctors diagnosed her with bipolar disorder II and placed her on depression and anxi... Read More >

After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Prudential overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for Pennsylvania Corporate Training Coordinator

Our client, Mr. T, formerly worked as a Corporate Training Coordinator for a large consumer product corporation. In October 2015 a number chronic psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder, major depressive affective disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic anxiety and bipolar affective disorder forced Mr. T to stop working and submit his claim for disability benefits, first under his... Read More >

Attorney Cesar Gavidia and Appeal Team at Dell Disability Lawyers Win Appeal Battle Against Unum to Reinstate Long-Term Disability Insurance Benefits to Disabled Software Engineer

Prior to disability Sam had a rewarding career as a software engineer for a large international corporation. Sam enjoyed solving complex problems for his employer through a language that few know as well as him, software engineering. Despite the love of for his job, Sam could not help but be affected by his battles with schizophrenia. For a long time it had been a constant struggle, but was more or less contro... Read More >

MetLife Reinstates Disability Benefits to Attorney on Appeal

Our client is an accomplished attorney working for a large international law firm who despite suffering from Bipolar Disorder was able to complete law school and excel in a highly competitive and stressful occupation. However, increasing hours and the start of a new family made it increasingly difficult for our client to perform all the duties of her occupation due to her condition. Instead of walking away fro... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(765)
Showing 8 of 765 Lawsuit Stories

After being denied disability benefits, Rabbi suffering from bipolar disorder sues CIGNA

An Indiana disability attorney recently filed a federal lawsuit against the Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (Cigna). The Plaintiff, by virtue of her employment, was covered by a monthly disability benefit plan with Cigna. When Cigna denied wrongly withheld disability benefit payments, the Plaintiff was forced to file a lawsuit.The Facts of the Case Against Cigna Life Insurance Company Of New York... Read More >

Prudential Insurance pays disability benefits for 12 years to former Prudential employee then denies claim

Robert Bankston worked for Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1988 to December 1997 as an insurance and financial services agent. Mr. Bankston became completely and totally disabled as a result of severe mental illnesses in 1998 which included: bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.Prudential paid Mr. Bankston long-term dis... Read More >

CIGNA's attempt to limit claimant to a maximum of 2 years of long-term disability benefits limitation for an organic brain disorder such as bi-polar is reversed by the District Court

Cigna attempted to deny lifetime disability benefits for a claimant suffering from a psychiatric organic brain disorder, but the district court of Colorado disagreed. Following a remand from the court of appeals, which ruled the district court had erred by considering evidence outside the "administrative record," the district court nonetheless reaffirmed its ruling in plaintiff's favor after carefully consider... Read More >

Former financial trader files lawsuit against Connecticut General Life Insurance (MetLife) seeking lifetime long-term disability benefits

Attorneys Dell & Schaefer has filed a long-term disability breach of contract lawsuit in federal court against Conneticut General Life Insurance Company ("Connecticut General") seeking lifetime disability benefits. Our client, a former floor trader on the American Stock Exchange, was disabled due to bipolar disorder, a sickness, from March 1995 until April 2006. In 2004, while our client was totally disabl... Read More >

Reliance Standard Disability Denial Upheld Due to Claimant's Lack of Strong Medical Record Support

In the case of Amy Wright v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (Reliance), Plaintiff was the vice-president of health information services at Integrity Health Care when she stopped working on August 7, 2017. She brought claims for benefits under an LTD insurance policy and a waiver of premiums under a life insurance policy.In order to be approved for LTD benefits, Plaintiff ... Read More >

Unum Wrongfully Terminated Disabled Lawyer’s Disability Claim of Depression and Anxiety Despite Improvement in His Condition

This Unum lawsuit and appeal in federal court is a great victory for all Unum disability claimants. This case supports all claimants that are disabled and claim that they cannot return to work as the requirements of their job will aggravate their symptoms and make them unable to work.Mark was a personal injury litigation attorney, when he began struggling with symptoms of... Read More >

Federal Court Overturns Aetna Denial Of Disability Benefits

In the recent case of Ferrin v. Aetna Life Ins. Co. a federal judge from the Northern District of Illinois determined that Aetna improperly terminated Ferrin’s claim for long term disability benefits and ordered Aetna to reinstate Ferrin’s claim and pay all past due benefits with interest. Prior to filing for long term disability Ferrin was an employee of Southwest Airlines. In 2008, while at work, she suf... Read More >

Court Finds Irregularities in Procter & Gamble Disability Insurance Benefit Denial

In ERISA cases filed in a district court asking for judicial review of a plan administrator's denial of benefits, the court is generally limited to considering only the administrative record that was before the plan administrator. The case of Robert Stallings v. The Proctor & Gamble Disability, Committee, et al., is an example of how plaintiffs with cases filed in a District Court that is under the jurisdi... Read More >

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Get Your Disability Application Approved

Our goal is to get your application for disability income benefits approved. Applying for disability insurance benefits can be a difficult process and the information you provide is critical. Most disability insurance companies look at your application in hopes of finding a reason to deny your claim. Your disability company will ask you to complete numerous forms, interview you, request lots of information, speak with your doctors and possibly request to have you examined by their "hired gun" doctor.

Through our experience of having helped thousands of disability insurance claimants, our disability insurance lawyers will guide you through the entire application process and give you the best chance to get your disability claim approved the first time.

Submit A Strong Appeal Package

If your disability insurance benefits have been wrongfully denied, then our disability insurance lawyers know exactly what it takes to get your disability claim approved. You only get once chance to submit an Appeal, therefore every piece of evidence that will support your disability claim must be included. The goal is to win your disability benefits at the Appeal level, but while preparing your Appeal you must consider how a federal judge will review your disability claim if your benefit denial is upheld.

Preparing a strong disability appeal package is an art that requires you to understand how the courts interpret your disability policy language, ERISA regulations / laws, and how to strategically present evidence in support of your definition of "disability". We encourage you to contact any of our attorneys for a free immediate review of your disability denial.

Sue Your Disability Company

98% of the disability insurance lawsuits filed by our law firm have resulted in either the payment of benefits or a lump-sum settlement agreement. Our disability insurance attorneys have filed ERISA governed and private policy long term disability insurance lawsuits against every major disability insurance company in state and federal courts nationwide and we love fighting for the "little guy" against the multi-billion dollar insurance company giants.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and we would like the opportunity to provide you with a free review of your disability benefit denial. There are many complex factors in a disability benefit lawsuit and the legal battle to win long term disability benefits can be fierce.

Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial

Approval of long-term disability is a continuous process as every disability insurance company will evaluate your eligibility for benefits on a monthly basis. You can never let your guard down and assume that your disability company will continue to pay your benefits for as long as you think you need them.

Our disability insurance law firm offers a reasonable flat fee monthly claim handling service in which we handle every aspect of your long-term disability claim and do whatever it takes to make sure you are paid every month.

Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

Let's discuss if a lump-sum settlement or buyout of your disability insurance claim is both available and makes financial sense for you. Our disability insurance lawyers have negotiated more than five-hundred million dollars in disability insurance buyouts and we know how to get you a maximum settlement. A disability insurance company is not required to offer a buyout and not every disability company offers them.

Questions About Hiring Us

Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?

We are disability insurance attorneys that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.

In more than 98% of our cases, our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement. Our disability insurance lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.

We offer disability insurance attorney representation nationwide and we welcome you to contact any of our lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 850 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

Our disability insurance attorneys help individuals that have either purchased a long term disability insurance policy from an insurance company or obtained short or long term disability insurance coverage as a benefit from their employer. We have helped individuals in almost every type of occupation with monthly disability benefit payments ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.

Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.

A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.

Do you work in my state?

Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability insurance lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.

What are your fees?

Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.

The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.

In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.

Do I have to come to your office to work with your law firm?

No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, or video conferencing sessions. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.

How can I contact you?

When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability insurance attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.

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