Our Disability Lawyers Help You Collect Disability Insurance Benefits in Michigan
If you are a resident of Michigan and would like assistance with your short or long term disability benefits claim, ERISA denial, long term care, life insurance or accidental death policy, there are several things you need to be aware of. Regardless of what stage of the claim process you are currently in, it’s usually best to consult a disability lawyer and carefully go through your options before you file a disability benefits claim, appeal, or a lawsuit. In addition, it’s important to have an experienced lawyer who deals specifically with Michigan law because there are certain state-specific aspects that may affect the case.
Michigan residents that have had their disability insurance benefits denied can file a lawsuit in the Michigan Circuit Court or District Court under a limited set of circumstances. Michigan’s state appellate courts includes the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. If the disability claimant resides in Massachusetts and the disability insurance company is located in a different state, and the amount of disability benefits payable is greater than $75,000, then the lawsuit can be filed in Michigan Federal District Court. If the disability insurance policy is an employer provided policy governed by ERISA, then the disability claim must be filed in federal court. Michigan has two Federal District Courts, which are the Eastern and Western District of Michigan Federal Courts. An ERISA governed disability claim denial lawsuit can usually be filed in any state that the insurance company conducts business. According to the Michigan Department of Insurance there are more than 1,600 insurance companies that sell insurance products in Michigan.
When seeking assistance from a disability insurance attorney in Michigan, it is important to consider how much experience your lawyer has in dealing with your specific disability insurance company. At the Law Offices of Dell Disability Lawyers, we deal with every major disability company on a daily basis. We know every action that they will take. We have earned our reputation in both Michigan and Nationwide as aggressive, competent, and reliable disability insurance lawyers. It is essential to hire an experienced attorney with a disability insurance law firm that has the resources, co-counsel network and experience to effectively represent disability insurance claimants against these nationwide disability insurance companies.
If you need attorney representation in Michigan, please contact us for a free phone consultation. We handle disability benefit claims at all stages: applications, appeal, and litigation of disability lawsuits. We are available to help you with any claim in the United States and you will not be required to come to our office. If we cannot assist you, we will try to refer you to someone that can. We encourage you to look around our extensive website and download our free E-brochure to learn more about our legal services.
What qualifies you for disability benefits in Michigan?
According to Michigan’s guidelines, an individual is considered to have a qualifying disability if the following conditions are met: they are unable to work and engage in substantial gainful activity due to their medical condition, or they are unable to perform their previous work or adapt to other work due to their medical condition.
In order to qualify for disability benefits, applicants must possess a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Under Michigan’s guidelines, individuals must have:
– A medical illness, injury, condition, etc. that significantly impacts an individual’s ability to perform basic job duties and participate in daily activities;
– A diagnosis from a qualified medical professional;
– Proof of the impact of the impairment on daily activities, such as difficulty standing, walking, sitting, lifting, remembering instructions, and other factors;
– Evidence that the individual’s condition is expected to last 12 months or longer.
Why work with a disability insurance lawyer in Michigan?
Most disability applicants get legal representation for appeals. A disability lawyer makes sure your medical evidence is accurate for the courts to review. They can explain your legal rights and options, guide you through appealing a benefits denial, and present your case effectively. This includes gathering evidence, filing paperwork, finding a favorable judge, and arguing your case well. A disability lawyer examines all evidence thoroughly and presents your case in an organised way. They can also explain unfamiliar legal terms and advise you on the appeals process. Having an attorney improves your chances of receiving benefits.
Do I have to file my disability denial lawsuit in Michigan?
In the event of an initial application denial of a disability claim denial, our disability attorneys will usually have the option of selecting one of several states to file the disability lawsuit. More than 80% of short-term and long-term disability insurance policies are governed by a federal law called ERISA, which means that a disability insurance attorney in Michigan can usually file a lawsuit in any federal court in any state. If the disability insurance policy is governed by a Michigan state law, then the lawsuit must be filed in Michigan.
Answers to Questions About Working With Us
I need a disability lawyer near me. Do you work in Michigan?
Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm with extensive experience and we are available to represent you regardless of where you live in Michigan or anywhere else in the United States. We have partner disability 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, and we deal with clients who have a wide variety of medical conditions or have experienced injury. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world, so please do not hesitate to give us a call for a free initial consultation.
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 clients to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible. The three available fee options are a contingency fee basis (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. Someone from our legal team is are certainly available to meet with you at any of our satellite offices located in either Michigan or another state. However, following a review of your disability policy, medical records, or any other pertinent documents and a free telephone conversation we are usually able to make a determination. It is our job to try to get our clients paid their disability insurance benefits as quickly as possible; therefore we prefer to have an initial consultation via telephone to review your benefits claim. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via telephone, e-mail, text or an online meeting tool. 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. Whether you need help with the initial application process, ERISA-governed policy issues, employer-sponsored Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance problems, insurance company denial, appeals, or litigation processes, we are happy to help remotely.
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. Because we have extensive resources, our lawyers and staff return all client calls the 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.
Reviews From Michigan Clients
Choosing a disability law firm to represent you in the application, appeals, or lawsuit stages is no easy task. You want to look for a law office with legal experts who have extensive experience in dealing with initial disability claims, appeals processes, and litigation, and have handled thousands of claims. It’s vital that your chosen disability lawyers of Michigan have extensive legal resources, a well-earned reputation, and a high client satisfaction rate. Be sure to browse some of the client recommendations to make the best decisions:
Tom N.
I’ve worked with the legal profession at large for over 30 years. I’ve found the elements of an “A-Team” to include not only legal knowledge and prowess, but also traits such as strategic planning, response time, structured information exchange, interpersonal relation skills and personal compassion.
I can say without reservation that I have had a wonderful experience with Mr. Symonds and his capable team at Dell Disability Lawyers. I’ve found the advice to be accurate and completely timely. The support staff, particularly Vanessa Arriaga, is also above par as to her prompt and professional service.
Navigating the complexities of the claims process can be intimidating, daunting and outright frightful to say the least. Not only can the materials requested become voluminous, but the entire process can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and somewhat alone… Mr. Symonds, Ms. Arriaga and others in this “A-Team” have alleviated much of the stress and burden of this process due to their compassion, intellect, professionalism and prompt response time… and most importantly; I’m not alone!
Michael P.
I had a very good experience. Rachel and Danielle were incredibly professional. They gave me a clear understanding of the process and timelines. I feel they are there fighting for me everyday. The process overall was very simple and enabled me to focus on my illness.
Howard F.
I just want to take a moment to tell you of the very positive experience I have had with Gregory Dell and his handling of my disability case. I am very pleased with the performance, support, professionalism and determination of Mr Dell every step of the way.
Throughout my case he has always been very quick to respond, made himself available during times that mist would consider after hours and was always patient in explaining the status and developments in my case. Every step of the way my case has been handled in an excellent way and I could not have asked fore more. I highly recommend Gregory Dell.
James J.
Dell Disability Lawyers has made my life much more restful in so many ways. They retrieved the appropriate paperwork from Medical Facilities and made all of the calls and faxes as to allow me to just rest. I know what it is like going through a rough time medically and need to handle all of the legalities that come with it. You can certainly count on this Law Firm, I am speaking from a standpoint from completely healthy to absolutely so sick I could not work at all. It can be devastating especially to people who have always been healthy, lived a great lifestyle and worked a fabulous position with a great company. Simply put things can happen that are frustratingly out of your control and when you need help then don’t hesitate to hire this law firm, they helped me greatly and they can help you too!
I would recommend Dell Disability Lawyers strongly and the main reason is the client service, the hard working staff of the Attorney and those that work together on a case like mine and communicate how the process works to me every step of the way!
Top 3 Disability Insurance Cases Resolved by Dell Disability Lawyers in Michigan
Lincoln Overturns Denial of LTD Benefits After Two Appeals — The client of Attorney Stephen Jessup was initially denied her disability benefits by Lincoln on the grounds that there was insufficient medical evidence to validate her claim. The denial letter from Lincoln only referenced her diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis and didn’t consider the potential impairment caused by her Multiple Sclerosis. To counter this, Jessup arranged a Functional Capacity Examination for his client and was able to present evidence that she could not meet the physical demands of her role as a Customer Service Representative. Despite the compelling evidence, Lincoln prolonged their review process and exercised a 45-day extension to complete it. Ultimately, Lincoln upheld their initial decision, forcing Jessup to prepare for a second appeal. Upon collecting additional medical records and expert opinions, Lincoln reinstated the client’s claim for benefits within 30 days.
CIGNA has reversed its previous decision to deny both short-term and long-term disability benefits for a senior personal banker in Michigan — CIGNA denied the disability claims of a senior personal banker, Ms. C. She filed a claim for disability benefits due to various medical conditions. CIGNA initially upheld the claim but later discontinued the benefits, stating that she no longer met the policy’s definition of disability. Attorney Jay Symonds represented Ms. C in appealing the denial and filing a claim under the LTD policy, both of which were initially denied. The appeals pointed out issues in the denial letters and discrepancies in the medical reviewer’s findings. CIGNA did not consider an independent Functional Capacity Examination (FCE), which confirmed the claimant’s inability to perform sedentary work. After reviewing the appeals and evidence, CIGNA reversed its denial and reinstated the client’s benefits. Attorney Symonds continues to represent Ms. C to protect her benefits.
Prudential Approves Disability Claim on Appeal — A physician with severe Crohn’s disease complications had his disability claim approved by Prudential initially because his condition required surgery. However, Prudential terminated the claim based on his doctor’s medical opinions about his physical abilities. Attorney Stephen Jessup argued that the termination was unjust and could compromise patient safety. Jessup prepared a statement with the doctor that refuted Prudential’s opinions and clarified the client’s work restrictions. After an appeal and examination, Prudential overturned the denial and granted past due benefits.
Michigan Courts, Government and Michigan Department of Insurance Information
- Michigan Court System Official Website
- Official Government Website of the State of Michigan — Information regarding the state of Michigan governmental entities resources.
- Michigan Department of Insurance — Regulates all insurance companies that do business in Michigan.
Federal Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals (6th Circuit) — This court has jurisdiction over appeals from United States District Courts located in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
- Eastern District of Michigan Federal Court
- Western District of Michigan Federal Court
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.
Sue Your Disability Insurance Company
We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide.
Protect Your Benefits
Get Your Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.
Prevent a Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.
Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement
Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.
Disability Company Reviews
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Showing 8 of 650 Reviews
MetLife
MetLife for disability? Avoid the surgery unless it's life-threatening
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
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 >
Unum
Unum Closed My Case Today
Unum will keep you around, if they pay you 100 a month. But as soon as have to pay more than 2700 a month, they will drop you. We will be going to the attorneys office fir... read more >
Prudential
Denied but Not Denied but I am Denied
I went out in Aug. 2022 for neck pain. After seeing a neurologist I had to get an ACDF C5-7, it was also determined I had carpal tunnel in my right hand and bulging disk i... read more >
New York Life
Claiming They Are Not Receiving Paperwork
After suffering from medical issues from my delivery in February, I had to have a colostomy bag placed. Now New York Life is trying to claim my condition was pre-existing ... read more >
Hartford
Truly Horrible and Immoral Company with No Customer Service
My experiences with Hartford have been nothing short of cruel. They started off by claiming that having Glioblastoma, which has an expected life span of about fifteen mont... read more >
Hartford
Sent my Direct Deposit to a Strangers Bank Acct
I went on short term disability and The Hartford put my direct deposit into someone else’s bank account. Somehow they messed up a number or two and they are refusing to ... read more >
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Helpful Videos
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Disability Benefit Tips
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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 >
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 things in the process. When you’re experiencing an injury or illness that makes it difficult (or impossible) to work, it can be tempting to file a claim as quickly as possible – but unless a claimant has all their ducks in a row, this could actually delay the ultimate r... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
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Showing 8 of 375 Dell Disability Cases
Prudential Approves Disability Claim on Appeal
Our client, an Emergency Room Physician, had a long history of complications due to Crohn’s disease, which stemmed all the way back to his childhood. Despite persistent, recurring bouts of distress and flare ups associated with the disease he was able to finish college, then medical school, followed by residency and ultimately finding himself in an extremely active emergency room for a major hospital system.... Read More >
CIGNA overturned its previous denial of both short term and long term disability benefits for Michigan Senior Personal Banker
Our client, Ms. C, formerly worked as a Senior Personal Banker for a large national bank, which required “light” work functional capabilities. In July 2016 a number of medical issues, including the debilitating co-morbid effects of Sternal Osteomyelitis, Arthritis, Depression and PTSD forced Ms. C to stop working and submit her claim for disability benefits first under her employer’s short-term disabilit... Read More >
Lincoln Overturns Denial of LTD Benefits After Two Appeals
After fighting for her disability benefits for over a year, Lincoln finally awarded benefits to our client following two levels of administrative appeal filed by Attorney Stephen Jessup. When our client first contacted our office she had been recently denied by Lincoln on the basis that the available medical information did not support a level of impairment that would prevent her from performing the material a... Read More >
Seven Surgeries and The Standard Still Denies Disability Insurance Benefits
Our client was employed with the State of Oregon as a Technical Support Representative. She sought disability through her employer provider LTD Policy with Standard due to low back, hip, and lower extremity pain. She had two hip, two knee and three back surgeries.After paying her for 1.5 years Standard hired a board-certified neurologist to perform a review ... Read More >
Sun Life Wrongfully Denies Disability After Paying For 23 Months
We represent a 57 year-old claimant who’s occupation was selling commercial vehicles for many years. Her job was very physical as it required her to climb in and out of semi-trucks multiple times a day as well as operate them which was very strenuous. She went out of work in due to ongoing and severe debilitating right hip, low back, and bilateral knee pain... Read More >
Nurse Denied Long-term Disability Benefits by Lincoln After the Definition of Disability Changed
Our client, a registered nurse for Dignity Health, found herself in a difficult situation after being diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis and left knee arthritis. She continued to work, however, struggled while attempting to work through chronic lower back pain and left lower extremity radicular symptoms on a daily basis. Sadly, her condition failed to improve and... Read More >
Lincoln Reverses Decision to Terminate LTD Benefits of Corporate Attorney after Dell Disability Lawyers Appeals the Decision
The claimant is an 64 year old former Corporate Attorney and at a prominent Florida business law firm who was forced to cease working in his highly successful and rewarding profession, job, and career on January 27, 2021, and to seek disability compensation under his policies with Lincoln due to severe symptomatology stemming from or following a viral COVID-19 i... Read More >
Transportation Manager with Brain Injury Wins Unum Disability Benefit Appeal
Unum unjustly terminated our client’s disability insurance claim after it had approved and accepted liability for six months. Unum unreasonably concluded, without any evidence of improvement, that the claimant had resumed the sustained work capacity to perform the material and substantial duties of her high level occupation as a Transportation Division Manage... Read More >
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Reviews from Our Clients
