Question
If I attempt to return to work with restrictions due to injury and am still in pain, how do I handle my claim with Reliance Standard?
I’m 48 and work as a warehouse manager. The job requires heavy lifting 30-40% of the time. I had low back surgery and have been on “Matrix/Reliance” employer paid short term disability for about five months now. I’m still not 100% and should be able to receive long term disability benefits when the STD runs out. My question is: Should I try to return to work with restrictions from my doctor? (no lifting, bending etc.) If I do try and find that I’m still in pain, will I need to reapply for ST/LT disability benefits, reopen my existing claim or can Matrix/Reliance deny me all together? Will I need representation?
Answer
Ben, if you are not physically able to work then only you can make the decision about attempting to return to work. STD and LTD policies contain recurrent disability provisions that would allow you to effectively re-open your claim if you attempt to return to work but cannot due to your condition. I would suggest you obtain copies of your policies to see how they define recurrent disabilities. Additionally, there is no guarantee that Matrix/Reliance won’t try to deny the claim under either circumstances. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your claim in further detail.
