New York Disability Insurance Attorneys

Our New York Disability Attorneys assist disability insurance claimants during all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. Since 1979, our disability law firm has represented disability claimants against every major disability insurance company. We have earned our reputation in both New York and Nationwide as aggressive, competent, and reliable disability insurance lawyers.

It is essential to hire 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. We have relationships with lawyers throughout New York and if we are not able to assist you with your disability claim, then we may be able to recommend a New York disability lawyer. If you have a disability insurance claim in either New York or any other state, contact our disability insurance attorneys for a free consultation.

New York residents that have had their disability insurance benefits denied can file a lawsuit in the Civil Curt of New York (NY City residents), NY County Courts (Outside NY City) or Supreme Courts under a limited set of circumstances. The NY Court system structure is different than any other court in the country. Click here to learn more about the NY court structure. New York’s highest court is called the Court of Appeals. If the disability claimant resides in New York 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 New York 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. New York has four Federal District Courts, which are the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western District of New York 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 New York Department of Insurance there are more than 1,600 insurance companies that sell insurance products in New York.

Do I Need To Come To Your Office In Order For Your Firm To Evaluate My Claim?

No. We are certainly available to meet with you at any of our satellite offices located in either New York or another state, however following a review of your disability policy 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 quick as possible; therefore we prefer to have an initial consultation via telephone.

Do I Have to File My Disability Denial Lawsuit in New York?

In the event 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 New York disability insurance attorney can usually file a lawsuit in any federal court in any state.

New York Courts, Government and New York Department of Insurance Information

FEDERAL COURTS

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.

Learn more

Sue Your Disability Insurance Company

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

Learn more

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

Learn more

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

Learn more

Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

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

Learn more

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
(1)
Showing 1 of 1 Answered Questions

Q: What exactly does Northwestern mean by “not gainfully employed in any occupation”? 

Answered on April 5th 2018 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: Carol, Gainful work would imply you are performing steady work for payment and getting paid $20 for baby sitti... Read More >
Helpful Videos
(729)
Showing 12 of 729 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(324)
Showing 8 of 324 Benefit Tips

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 >

Is UNUM a Good Insurance Company?

One common question the attorneys here at Dell & Schaefer receive comes from policyholder... Read More >

Don’t Ignore Disability Insurance. Here’s What to Buy.

Disability insurance is one of the most important insurance products, yet the vast majority of people working don’t have it. 35% of employer... Read More >

How To Get Long Term Disability Benefits Approved Due To Neck Pain

If you have a disability claim that involves neck pain, you might be wondering exactly how mu... Read More >

What is disability insurance? What type of disability income policy should you buy?

Disability insurance also known as disability income insurance is an insurance product that will pay a monthly benefit amount if you are unabl... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(349)
Showing 8 of 349 Dell Disability Cases

Prudential Overturns Disability Denial to Chiropractor

Our client, a chiropractor in a busy New York practice, ceased working at the suggestion and advice of his doctors due to his complaints of sh... Read More >

After Appeal Sun Life Finally Approves Disability Benefits for Data Engineer

Prior to filing for disability, our client was employed as a Manager of Data Engineering Analytics for Avanade. A job he loved and excelled at... Read More >

Hartford overturned previous denial of long term disability benefits for New York Consultant

Our client, Mr. M, formerly worked as a trade consultant for an international accounting firm. In May 2017 a large lumbar disc herniation forc... Read More >

Trinity Health Care Registered Nurse wins Cigna long term disability Appeal

After receiving Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits for two years due to severe back conditions, a Nurse who formerly worked at Albany Memoria... Read More >

After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Prudential overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for New York Financial Control Officer

Our client, Ms. L, formerly worked as a Control Officer for a large financial services institution. In May 2016 a number of medical issues, in... Read More >

Prudential Agrees to Reinstate Long Term Disability Benefits for an Employee of DRS Technologies who suffers from very severe back issues

Due to his previous employment at DRS Technologies where he worked as an Environmental & Health Safety Specialist, our eventual client was... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(764)
Showing 8 of 764 Lawsuit Stories

Court Denied American General's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

In Kelly Ann Tyler v. United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, et al., United States Life Insurance and America... Read More >

New York Federal Court Orders Aetna to Pay Long Term Disability Benefits

In Dunda v. Aetna, Aetna terminated plaintiff's long term disability benefits even though there was no medical evidence that her disabling con... Read More >

Do Not Sleep on Your Rights to Disability Benefits

In a recent case out of New York, the court found that the Plaintiff did not provide a good enough reason for failing to timely file his ERISA... Read More >

New York Court Recognizes Unum Insurance Company's History of Biased Claims Administration and Permits Discovery Into a Potential Conflict of Interest

One important aspect of ERISA cases that makes them different from other types of lawsuits and litigation, is that once the administrative app... Read More >

New York Judge's 168 Page Ruling Finds In Favor Of Hartford's LTD Benefit Denial In ERISA Lawsuit

The ERISA long term disability lawsuit filed against Hartford did not raise any issues out of the ordinary. The Plaintiff sought reversal of t... Read More >

Objective versus Subjective: Evidence Requirements in ERISA Disability Lawsuits

It is common when dealing with claims for short and long term disability benefits to have the disability insurance company request "objective ... Read More >

3 Ways Hartford Wrongfully Denied Long Term Disability Insurance Benefits to Claimant with MS

A New York claimant, Ms. Ingravallo, filed an ERISA lawsuit after Hartford determined that, after paying long term disability benefits for ove... Read More >

New York Federal Court Denies MetLife's Motion To Dismiss Lyme Disease Victim's Petition For Disability Benefits

In the case of Karen N. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company et. al, the United States District Court of New York, after hearing arguments f... Read More >

Reviews from Our Clients

Request a Free Consultation

Our Lawyers Respond Same Day

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.