Dell Disability Lawyers Successfully Appeals Denial Of Benefits To Pre-School Teacher
Most group employer sponsored ERISA disability policies pay disability benefits for a limited period of time if you are unable to perform the duties of your own or regular occupation. An own/regular occupation definition of disability is the most favorable to claimants when filing a disability claim. However, it is important to understand that “occupation” is not synonymous with “job” and when reviewing a disability claim the insurance carrier does not always have to review the claimant’s occupation as it is performed for a specific employer. Instead, most group ERISA policies allow the carrier to consider how the claimant’s occupation is performed in the national economy.
The distinction between occupation and job is important to understand when filing a disability claim and we are frequently contacted by claimants whose claims have been denied even though they cannot perform the duties of their own “job”.
However, insurance carriers frequently get this wrong and so an essential part of the claims process is making sure the carrier properly classifies a claimant’s occupation.
Ms. M contacted our firm when her disability carrier, Madison National Life Insurance Company, terminated her claim after concluding she is capable of performing her “regular occupation.”
Before filing a disability claim, Ms. M was working as a Pre-school Teacher for a public school when she was injured carrying one of her students in early 2015. She suffered several spinal herniations causing muscle spasms and resulting pain. Upon receiving Ms. M’s claim, Madison National ordered an Independent Medical Examination performed by Dr. C. Gregory Kang. According to Dr. Kang, Ms. M’s lumbar disk herniations were functionally impairing and reasonable functional restrictions and limitations would include the inability to sit for more than 15 minutes before having to change positions, inability to stand or walk for more than 15 minutes without having to sit down or rest, and inability to lift greater than 15 lbs.
Relying on the IME results, Madison National performed a Labor Market Survey indicating that Ms. M would be capable of performing her regular occupation as a Teacher for other employers. As a result, Ms. M’s claim was denied.
We agreed to take on her case. Based on a review of the denial letter and a discussion with Ms. M, we recognized the error in Madison’s decision. Madison’s classification of Ms. M’s occupation as a Teacher was entirely too broad. There are many different types of teachers and it was unreasonable for Madison to classify Ms. M’s occupation as simply “Teacher.” According to Madison’s Labor Market Survey, a teacher is considered a sedentary occupation. Additionally, the Labor Market Survey listed several jobs that would be available for Ms. M, all of which were virtual schools and all of which provided education for grades K-12.
In preparing Ms. M’s appeal, Dell Disability Lawyers requested an independent Occupational Analysis. The analysis focused on the more specific classification of the occupation of a pre-school teacher rather than the general occupation of a teacher. Madison had failed to recognize that the US Department of Labor provides a specific classification of pre-school teacher which is classified as a Light duty occupation. Moreover, Madison failed to recognize that pre-school teacher is not an occupation that can be effectively performed online. There are therefore no viable options for Ms. M to perform her regular occupation online in a sedentary capacity.
Focusing primarily on the improper classification, Dell Disability Lawyers filed Ms. M’s appeal along with additional medical support. Madison had no choice but to reverse its decision and approve Ms. M’s claim.
This case is a perfect example of the importance of understanding how carriers review your own or regular occupation. An occupational description is not always clear cut and it is important to make sure the carrier does not misclassify your occupation when reviewing a claim.
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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.