When people first file for long term disability benefits in Brock, they don’t realize how hard it’s going to be. We’ve helped many people who thought their insurance company would help them because they paid for it but ran into problems at every turn. Not being able to work due to a serious health problem is hard enough but when the financial help you were counting on is taken away it gets even harder. We at Longo Lawyers know how frustrating and stressful it can be to fight for benefits while dealing with an illness or injury. That’s why we work so hard to get you the support your policy promises.
Long term disability(LTD) insurance is there to protect your income if you can’t work due to health problems. Unfortunately insurance companies don’t always make it easy to get these benefits. They hire teams of adjusters, lawyers and medical reviewers to protect the company’s money and keep payouts as low as possible. This isn’t fair because you have to fight for your rights while dealing with a serious health problem. We make it fair by using our experience and knowledge to make sure your insurance company keeps its promises and you’re treated fairly throughout the process.
To make a successful claim you need to know exactly what your disability policy says. The definitions and exclusions in these contracts have a big impact on whether you can get benefits and how long those benefits last. If you have own occupation coverage you only have to be unable to do your own job. If you have any occupation coverage you have to be unable to do any job. Some policies have limits on certain conditions especially mental health problems and only cover benefits for a certain amount of time like 24 months. We go over your policy very carefully to find out exactly what it covers and what you need to prove. This analysis helps us figure out the best way to build and present your claim.
Medical records are the most important part of any disability claim but most people don’t know that insurance companies want a lot more information. Your doctor may think you are disabled but that opinion alone is not enough for most insurance companies. They want detailed reports that explain your diagnosis, treatment history, current symptoms, functional limitations and how these things stop you from working in a specific way. We help you work with your healthcare providers to get all the medical evidence you need to answer all the questions your insurance company will ask. This often includes functional capacity evaluations, assessments by specialists and detailed reports that show how your medical condition is linked to your inability to do your job.
If someone is hurt in a slip, trip or fall accident and is left with a long term disability the case needs to be carefully documented to show how the accident caused the disability. Insurance companies may admit that the first accident happened but later they may say you should have healed or that your symptoms are worse than the injury. We get new medical reports, expert opinions and sometimes biomechanical assessments that show how your condition really affects you and why your limitations are still there. This thorough approach helps prove your disability is real and long lasting not just temporary or blown out of proportion.
The process of applying for long term disability benefits involves a lot of paperwork and strict deadlines that must be met at all costs. Forms ask for a lot of information about your job duties, medical condition and how your limitations keep you from working. If you make small mistakes or don’t answer all the questions you could be denied benefits or have to wait a long time to get them. We help with the whole application process to make sure everything is correct and complete. This includes helping you clearly explain your job duties, your limitations and how to submit all of your paperwork on time and in the right format. A strong first application makes it more likely you will be approved and less likely you will have problems later on.
Most people don’t expect denials to happen as often as they do even for claims that seem valid and well documented. Insurance companies give many reasons for denying benefits such as not having enough medical evidence or disagreeing with your doctors. A lot of denials happen because doctors hired by the insurance company review your files but never see you in person. These reviewers look at your medical records from afar and make decisions that often go against what the doctors who actually treat you and know your case well say. We challenge these unfair reviews by pointing out their flaws and stressing the credibility and direct knowledge of your treating doctors.
There are strict time limits for the appeals process that can’t be changed for any reason. Most policies only give you 30 to 90 days to file an appeal after being denied. If you miss this deadline you can never challenge the decision again. We make sure appeals are filed quickly and include strong arguments that address each reason given for the denial. To win an appeal you need to show more evidence, fix any problems with the original application and make legal arguments that show you are entitled to benefits under the terms of your policy.
Many disability claims in Brock are for conditions that are hard to test for objectively. Chronic pain syndromes, fatigue disorders, cognitive impairments and mental health conditions all depend a lot on subjective symptoms that insurance companies often question. These insurance companies might say your symptoms are worse than they really are or that you could work if you tried harder. We have developed ways to present these cases using detailed symptom journals, testimony from family and coworkers that backs up your condition and medical opinions that prove your condition is real. Even if imaging or lab tests can’t prove it your disability is real. Brain injuries can significantly impact a person’s physical abilities, cognitive functions, and emotional well-being, often requiring comprehensive rehabilitation and long-term care.
Insurance investigators often use surveillance as a way to find proof that goes against what you say your limitations are. Companies might hire people to follow you around, film what you do in public and look at your social media accounts. This feels intrusive and makes it seem like you’re being treated like a liar instead of someone who needs help. We help you understand that having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t do certain things. You can’t work full time just because you go to the doctor, buy groceries or go to family events. We make sure any surveillance footage is clearly explained and not twisted to make it look like you’ve gotten better.
When you can’t work and your disability claim is still open your financial stress gets worse. During this tough time the cost of hiring a lawyer may seem like an extra burden you can’t handle. We work on long term disability cases on a contingency fee basis which means you don’t pay us anything unless we get you benefits. This way everyone can get good legal help no matter how much money they have right now. Our interests are completely in line with yours because we can only do well if you do.
We want to make sure you can talk to us throughout your case. You should know what’s going on at every step of the legal process even if it’s hard to understand. We use simple easy to understand language to explain what’s happening and we’re always here to answer your questions. You should never be unsure about where your case stands or what will happen next. Regular updates and honest explanations can help ease anxiety during a time that is already stressful.
Your doctors are very important to your claim but they might need help figuring out what information insurance companies need. Instead of writing down your disability for insurance purposes doctors focus on treating your condition. We work with your doctors to make sure reports include specific information about your limitations, work restrictions and prognosis. Sometimes this means asking for extra assessments or setting up extra evaluations that give you objective proof that your disability claim is valid and make your case stronger overall.
Another problem we often run into is the end of benefits after they have been approved. Sometimes insurance companies will approve your claim at first but later decide you have recovered or can do other work. These terminations happen a lot without enough warning and may be based on bad medical advice or a misunderstanding of what you do. We fight against unfair benefit terminations by showing the person is still disabled with current medical evidence and by pointing out mistakes in the insurance company’s reasoning and decision-making process. Personal Injury Lawyer Fabio Longo is dedicated to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve with professionalism, integrity, and proven results.