Collecting Chronic Pain Disability Benefits Is A Reality

Chronic pain is caused by hundreds of different disabling medical conditions. There is no medical device in the world that measures pain. Pain is subjective, which means that a disability insurance company will often argue that there is insufficient information to support the claim. It is not uncommon for a person to be suffering with chronic pain, yet the medical doctor cannot establish the cause of the pain. People suffering from chronic pain cannot perform their jobs as they used to. It physically prevents workers from performing certain tasks, and the pain can be so distracting that they cannot complete jobs that require focus and care. We recommend that all of our clients maintain a daily pain journal in order to properly document their medical conditions. We also advise claimants to seek treatment with pain management specialists such as physiatrist or anesthesiologist. It is important to obtain as much medical documentation as possible in support of your claim for either short or long term disability benefits. Disability insurance carriers will often rely upon video surveillance in order to challenge a claimant’s complaints of chronic disabling pain.

Our disability insurance attorneys have fought for claimants like you since 1979. We know this industry well, and we can give you your best shot of receiving benefits if you legitimately qualify for them. Contact us if you are considering applying for disability benefits, appealing a denied claim, or filing a disability lawsuit anywhere in the USA.

What Types Chronic Pain Are Most Common In Long Term Disability Claims?

Common forms of chronic pain include:

  • Back pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Severe headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Arthritis
  • Chest pain
  • Abdominal pain

Understandably, insurance companies need to see some evidence that your pain is so severe that you cannot do your job. Since pain is subjective, insurance companies require an extraordinary amount of evidence on the claimant’s part. Unfortunately, they will find any excuse they can to deny or limit your benefits. Many use in-house physicians to discredit your claims, even though they have never met you or physically diagnosed your symptoms.

It is very important to consult an attorney early in the process. If you fill out the application incorrectly or forget to include certain medical information, it could delay your benefits for months, possibly years. We can tell you all the information you need to know, including state regulations or specific industry guidelines, that could affect your benefits.

Our Experience with Chronic Pain

Disability Attorney Stephen Jessup wins benefits for 60 year old client with fibromyalgia
Disability lawyers win ERISA long term disability appeal against Hartford
Unum Provident pays total disability benefits to a chiropractor with breast cancer

We handle cases across the nation and we encourage you to review hundreds of our resolved cases and client testimonials. To find out how we can help with your disability claim, you can contact our disability insurance attorneys to set up a free consultation in person, over the phone or via a video chat.

Resources

To learn more about chronic pain, consult:

We frequently update this page with news about chronic pain disability benefits and new laws that could affect your disability. Check back for new information.

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Disability Benefit Denial Options
Submit a Strong Appeal Package

We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong appeal.

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Sue Your Disability Insurance Company

We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide.

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Protect Your Benefits
Get Your Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.

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Prevent a Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.

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Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.

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Disability Company Reviews
(617)
Showing 8 of 617 Reviews
Prudential

Prudential terminated my LTD, so now I have no income

Reviewed by Carlos M on June 10th 2022   Verified Policyholder
I was working at a shipyard at San Diego and hurt my back again while working. Hurt my back in the US Navy in 98 and had issues since then so I decided to get the surgery ... read more >
Reply
Sent on June 11th 2022 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Carlos, yes we may be able to help. Please email your denial letter to Rachel@diattorney.com and cc Amanda@diattorney.com. Thank you.

Lincoln Financial

Lincoln Financial made my life a living hell

Reviewed by Salyna D on June 1st 2022   Verified Policyholder
Lincoln Financial made my life a living hell. I went on medical leave from my job just to work for them basically. My mental health is worse than it was and I still do not... read more >
Reply
Sent on June 2nd 2022 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Salyna, I am sorry to hear about your experience. I wish I could say it is an anomaly, but it is an all too common occurrence. Depending on if the claim was ever approv... read more >

MetLife

They demanded an overpayment, stopped my claim, and lied about it

Reviewed by Diana R. on May 28th 2022   Verified Policyholder
Metlife over paid me. Stopped my Ltd claim. The overpayment were not done right. They lied and said they deposited money in my account.
Reply
Sent on May 28th 2022 by Attorney Alex Palamara

Diana, I am sorry to hear of this denial and the demand for an overpayment. Please contact us so that we can review your claim and see if we can get you back to receivi... read more >

Sun Life

Sun Life is a real pain

Reviewed by Chris K. on May 20th 2022   Verified Policyholder
Sun Life is a real pain. I just want them to buyout my long term disability policy, but they keep playing around and around. I just to be left alone and given my lump sum ... read more >
Reply
Sent on May 20th 2022 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Chris, you can contact me at Rachel@diattorney.com and we can set up a call to discuss your buy out options.

Unum

I feel like Unum is giving me the runaround!

Reviewed by Rachelle H. on May 11th 2022   Verified Policyholder
I have contacted UNUM multiple times since I’ve needed them. I feel like they are giving me the runaround! Please help!
Reply
Sent on May 11th 2022 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Rachelle, the law provides certain timelines and deadlines with which to provide information or decisions. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your situat... read more >

Cigna

Payment delays!

Reviewed by Kim W on May 7th 2022   Verified Policyholder | September 2021 date of disability
I have a Long term disability claim with Cigna. Approval process did not take too long and they did start my LTD just a few days after my STD ended. First check was mailed... read more >
Cigna

Cigna (NYL) denied my claim

Reviewed by Trapped in the cogs on March 7th 2022   Verified Policyholder | May 2021 date of disability
I’ve been an RN for 31 years. I lost 6 family members (3 of those to cancer) in 9 months and suffered a breakdown, I just couldn’t watch people die anymore. Cigna (NYL... read more >
Cigna

Hold up on payments!!!

Reviewed by A Crews on January 20th 2022   Verified Policyholder | July 2021 date of disability
I have had 3 people on my case since July 2021! This last person Amanda S drag her feet on my claims and payments. I literally have to go to my mom for help! When I contac... read more >
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(2)
Showing 2 of 2 Answered Questions

Q: How can I find out how much overpayment Reliance Standard will be able to recover from me?

Answered on December 8th 2012 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: Regina, Reliance Standard will be able to recover an overpayment for any period of time that Reliance paid whi... Read More >

Q: Can I hold Unum accountable for terminating my benefits after 24 months if I was physically disabled – not mentally – first and foremost?

Answered on December 1st 2011 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: Lisa, We have handled numerous cases against UNUM dealing with the 2 year mental nervous limitation. If you ha... Read More >
Helpful Videos
(730)
Showing 12 of 730 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(324)
Showing 8 of 324 Benefit Tips

Does a disability insurance company need to consider the side effects of my medications?

Disability insurance companies are notorious for ignoring the cognitive side effects that mos... Read More >

Is a Claimant's Complaints of Pain Enough to Qualify for Short or Long Term Disability Insurance Benefits?

The answer to this question applies to the vast majority of long term disability insurance claims that we handle on a daily basis. Pain is sub... Read More >

Can The Hartford Characterize Cognitive Impairment Due to Chronic Pain a Mental Condition?

Disability insurance attorneys Gregory Dell and Stephen Jessup discuss a Northern Illinois federal court case in which Hartford attempted to d... Read More >

Can my insurance carrier deny my benefits even if there is no change in my medical condition?

Insurance companies frequently terminate long term disability benefits after paying a claim for several years, even when the claimant's condit... Read More >

How to Apply for Reliance Standard Disability Benefits & Top 5 Reasons for a Claim Denial

At Dell & Schaefer we’ve handled hundreds of long term disability insurance claims against Reliance Standard, and have learned a few thi... Read More >

Applying for Standard Disability Benefits? Top 5 Claim Denial Reasons

At Dell & Schaefer, we've helped hundreds of clients recover long term disability benefit... Read More >

Guardian Disability Benefit Claim Handling Tips

When you finally receive a letter from Guardian Disability informing you that your claim for ... Read More >

Application Tips: Northwestern Mutual Disability Benefits - Top Denial Reasons

Every disability insurance policy is different, and whether your disability insurance claim i... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(349)
Showing 8 of 349 Dell Disability Cases

NY Life Disability Benefits Reinstated on Appeal Despite Independent Medical Examination

Our client, a former high level medical sales representative, suffered from chronic pain stem... Read More >

After Principal Denies Continued Disability Benefits, Attorney Alexander Palamara Gets Claim Reinstated for a Vienna Beef Employee

Our new client was a dedicate employee of Vienna Beef who worked as a Customer Service Representative (a sedentary occupation) since August 20... Read More >

After Two Appeals The Standard Insurance Approves Short & Long Term Disability Benefits for Nurse

Prior to filing for disability, our client was a Registered Nurse employed as a Senior Case Manager for United Healthcare. Our client was a de... Read More >

CIGNA Overturned Their Denial of LTD Benefits for Nevada Healthcare Coordinator

Our client, Ms. G, formerly worked as a Healthcare Coordinator for a large regional healthcare provider. For many years Ms. G suffered from ch... Read More >

MetLife Approves Long Term Disability Claim For Executive Assistant with Neck Pain

Our client, a former Executive Assistant at American Express, filed a claim with MetLife under American Express's short term disability policy... Read More >

Prudential Approves LTD Claim on Voluntary Appeal

Prior to hiring our office, our client, a former director for a large university tasked with ensuring securing donations and fundraising, file... Read More >

CIGNA overturned previous denial of waiver of life insurance premiums

Our client was the husband and beneficiary of Ms. S, who formerly worked as a registered nurse for a regional Healthcare System. In January 20... Read More >

Dell Disability Lawyers Successfully Appeals Metlife Denial of Benefits to Veteran

Mr. A contacted our firm after being denied benefits by his employer’s group disability carrier, MetLife. He had been working as a superviso... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(764)
Showing 8 of 764 Lawsuit Stories

NFL Disability Review Board Ignores Evidence of Disability and Appeal Court Reverses Lower Court Decision

In Darren Mickell v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan (Plan), Mickell spent nine years in the NFL as a defensive e... Read More >

Colorado District Court overturns denial of benefits by Life Insurance Company of North America

In Johnson v. Life Insurance Company of America, a Colorado District Court ruled in favor of the claimant finding LINA’s decision unsupporte... Read More >

Court Rejects Expanded Mental Illness Limitation to Coverage

In Jarillo v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., Judge Michael M. Anello of the United States District Court of the Southern District of Califor... Read More >

Federal Appeal Court Upholds District Court Order to FedEx to Pay Long Term Total Disability Benefits to Its Employee

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently agreed with a federal district court in South Carolina that the Federal Express Corp... Read More >

Tenet Healthcare Corporation employee sues UNUM under ERISA for wrongfully denying disability benefits by disregarding attending physician's medical opinion

A disability attorney recently filed a lawsuit at the District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against the Unum Life Insurance Comp... 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 te... Read More >

Court Finds Irregularities in Procter & Gamble Long Term Disability 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 limit... Read More >

Federal Judge Makes Companion Life Insurance Pay Long Term Disability Benefits

Companion Life tried to play games and deny long term disability benefits, but thankfully a New Mexico Federal Judge made them pay disability ... Read More >

Reviews from Our Clients

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5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid

Get Your Disability Application Approved

Our goal is to get your application for disability income benefits approved. Applying for disability 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 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 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 lawyers 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 lawyers 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 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 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 lawyers 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 lawyers have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement. Our 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 welcome you to contact any of our attorneys 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 700 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

Our lawyers 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 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, GoToMeeting sessions, or Skype. 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 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.