Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial
Many individuals think that a disability benefit claim approval means that the claim will remain approved as long the claimant wants. The disability company can deny a claim at any time and it doesn’t matter if you have been on claim for 6 months or 20 years. The reality is that the disability company is always looking for a reason to either deny a claim or deny benefit payments. Every month the disability insurance company employee assigned to your long term disability claim is required to review your claim and make a determination if you remain eligible for benefits.
We offer a flat fee monthly claim handling service in which our disability lawyers handle every aspect of your long term disability claim. For more than 20 years we have managed the disability claims for hundreds of individual’s nationwide receiving long term disability benefits. Our goal is to make sure your disability benefits continue for as long as you need them.
We have prepared several videos that provide tips for handling a long term disability claim and how we help claimants to prevent claim denial.
Benefits of Having a Disability Lawyer
We have created a checklist below to highlight the numerous advantages of having our disability lawyers manage your long term disability claim. Many claimants have told us that by having our attorneys manage their claim it is like “insurance on top of insurance”.
- All communications to our office only
- No random calls with you and company
- No unannounced visits from the company
- Complete all claimant statements with you
- Help prepare all attending physician statements
- Make sure benefits are paid timely every month
- We regularly review your medical records
- Guidance for information that must be in your records
- Prepare you and attend any interviews with company
- Make sure you are satisfying the policy requirements
- Limit the scope of insurance company request
- Prepare you for insurance company medical exams
- Prepare your doctor for any disability company call
- Offer advice as to what you can or cannot do
- Alleviate the stress of dealing with disability company
- Insurance companies won’t play games with us
- Prepared to take legal action if claim was denied
Our Experience With Your Disability Company
We have handled LTD claims against every disability insurance company and we have become the number one resource on the internet for information about every disability company. Please select your company to learn about your disability company and our experience in helping people with a claim similar to yours.
Once approved for disability benefits, most disability insurance policies require a claimant to submit monthly claim forms in order to prove continued eligibility. Additionally, some carriers will require an Attending Physician Statement on a monthly basis from the claimant’s treating doctor.
Attorneys Dell & Schaefer provide on-going legal representation for individuals that have been approved for long term disability, in which we are the exclusive point of contact between the disability insurance carrier and our client. The carrier sends all written correspondence and any request for documentation to our office. It is our responsibility to make sure that all claim forms, attending physician statements, medical records, financial documents, or any other documents are provided in a timely manner to the insurance company, so as to protect our client’s disability benefits.
Furthermore, our representation ensures that a claimant always has a lawyer backing them up and ready to take legal action if the disability insurance company tries to deny benefits. Disability insurance companies will jump on any opportunity to deny a claim, therefore it is important that every document sent to the insurance company is reviewed and scrutinized. A mistake as simple as checking a box saying that you can lift 15 pounds instead of 5, could be a reason for the insurance company to deny your claim. The medical records of your own doctor also need to be closely reviewed as there could be detrimental information in your records from a recent office visit.
Disability insurance companies frequently deny claims when a new claims examiner takes over the handling of your claim. For example, we recently received a call from a claimant that Prudential insurance company denied their claim after paying for 18 years. The woman had a brain injury, and Prudential felt that she was better because she could go to the mall and go shopping with her husband.
For most of our clients, we understand that your long-term disability insurance payment is your only source of income. Most clients that hire us for the application process will continue to have us represent them throughout the duration of their claim. Please contact us if you would like more information about our monthly claim handling services.
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
(656)
Showing 8 of 656 Reviews
Sedgwick
Don't trust them, they like to play games
They suck the life out of people that need help. They falsely advertise for helping people that they care. Sorry to tell you it's all about money, they do not care for any... read more >
New York Life
Lyme Disease Disability Claim Denial
I have had repeat claims for genuine medical leave and they have repeatedly been denied by NY Life. I have even been diagnosed with Lyme and going through treatments and t... read more >
New York Life
Disappointed with NY Life Disability Excuses
I am beyond disappointed with NY Life Disability Insurance’s handling of my father’s claim. My father, a 66-year-old man who has suffered two strokes and continues to ... read more >
New York Life
New York Life is a joke!
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 ****
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
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
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 >
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(1)
Showing 1 of 1 Answered Questions
Q: Would any new disabling conditions be considered by Metlife when considering whether or not to continue my benefits?
A: The change in diagnosis will likely lead to denial so please explain the situation to your treating doctor. Me... Read More >
Helpful Videos
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Showing 9 of 908 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(331)
Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips
Can a disability attorney manage all aspects of my long-term disability insurance claim?
What amounts to a business decision for your disability insurance company is a life decision for you as a disability benefit recipient. Your disability insurance company views you as a piece of paper, some medical documents, a persistent headache, and a drain on their bottom line. Your monthly disability payment is your home, your groceries, your health care - your livelihood; and you don't trust your disabili... Read More >
If I am already receiving long-term disability benefits, what actions can I take to help prevent denial of disability benefits?
In order to help avoid denial by a disability insurance company here are a few actions a claimant can take:See your treating physicians at least once every 3 months;Make sure your treating physician is documenting all of your restrictions and limitation in detail. It is not enough for your doctor say that you cannot work. Your medical records should be reviewed regularly.;Complete any diagnostic t... 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 >
Dell Disability Cases
(375)
Showing 8 of 375 Dell Disability Cases
Nearly Three Years Later, Sedgwick Finally Pays Walgreens' Pharmacist's STD and LTD Claim
After three long years of struggling with no income due to Sedgwick's failure to approve her benefits, the claimant is finally awarded the disability benefits she was rightfully owed. The claimant worked for Walgreens for approximately 11 years and was a dedicated employee who loved her profession. In early 2011 she began to feel fatigued and experienced pain in her muscles and joints. She was very concerned f... Read More >
Lincoln Reversed Decision to Deny Benefits of Project Manager Suffering from Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicranial Cluster Headaches
Attorney Rachel Alters filed an appeal after Lincoln denied long-term disability benefits to a Project Manger suffering from chronic paroxysmal hemicrania/hemicranial cluster headaches, cervicalgia, and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint bilaterally, which prevented her from being able to perform with reasonable continuity each of the main duties of her regular occupation. It was evident from review... Read More >
Principal Approves Long Term Disability Benefits for Surgeon
Our client was a highly successful Podiatric Surgeon who was suffering from severe neck pain due to two crushed cervical facet joints with resultant nerve impingement. Despite his best efforts to continue to work in his capacity as a surgeon the pain and associated numbness and weakness was making it increasingly difficult to effectively examine and treat his patients. The pain became so severe and his concern... Read More >
Cigna Reverses Long Term Disability Denial And Admits Denying Benefits To Attorney Stricken With Parkinson's Was Wrong
A disabled Attorney sought total disability benefits due to severe Parkinson's Disease with motor complications, secondary depression, drowsiness from medications, fatigue, right and left arm tremors and cognitive impairment which prevented him from being able to perform with reasonable continuity the material duties of his regular job as an Intellectual Property Attorney and partner at his law firm. CIGNA inc... Read More >
Metlife Admits Decision To Deny Ltd Benefits To Claimant With Chronic Fatigue Due To Congestive Heart Failure Was Wrong
MetLife terminated our client's LTD benefits even after receiving a neuropsychological report documenting deficiencies in her executive level functioning. According to the neuropsychologist, the claimant was not capable of performing the duties of her occupation as a Bank Examiner for the FDIC as a result of her cognitive deficiencies, fatigue, depression and anxiety.MetLife Ignored Neuropsychological Eval... Read More >
MetLife Long-Term Disability Denial Of Disabled Yamaha Motors Corporation Manager With Genetic Disorder Is Reversed Following ERISA Appeal
"The ability to perform with reasonable continuity the substantial and material acts necessary to pursue his usual occupation", was the definition of disability set forth under Yamaha Motor Corporation's Long-term Disability Plan, and the primary question in our client, Mr. B's, long-term disability claim. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife"), the disability insurance company which both administered... Read More >
MetLife Reinstates Benefits to Financial Advisor Suffering From Restless Leg Syndrome & Insomnia
Our client had been a highly successful financial planner who had spent his adult life working in a field he not only excelled in, but loved. For some time he had been suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome ("RLS"), which resulted in Insomnia, which in turn resulted in anxiety, depression and cognitive difficulties. Despite numerous attempts to adjust his work schedule, he found it harder and harder to be able t... Read More >
Hartford Admits Decision to Deny LTD Benefits to Claimant with Chronic Lyme Disease Was Wrong
Dell Disability Lawyers filed an appeal with Hartford for a 36 year-old claimant seeking total disability benefits due to Lyme disease and its related physical and cognitive symptoms, such as severe pain, post-infectious autoimmune neuropathy and dysautonomia. As a result of his tick-borne illness and related symptoms the claimant has been unable to perform one or more of the essential duties of his occupation... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(765)
Reviews from Our Clients
5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid
Get Your Disability Application Approved
Our goal is to get your application for disability insurance 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 long-term disability 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.
Our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement in more than 98% of our cases. 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 LTD 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 900 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.