To file a long term disability claim in Durham you need to know how to read complicated insurance policies and deal with companies that put their profits ahead of your health. We have helped many people who thought their insurance company would help them when things got tough only to have their claims denied or delayed. When you can’t work because of a disability the stress gets worse when the money you were counting on suddenly goes away. At Longo Lawyers we know how tough things are for you and are committed to helping you get the benefits your policy promises.
Long term disability insurance is a contract that protects your income if you can’t work because of an illness or injury. But insurance companies don’t always follow these agreements without a fight. Their business model is based on collecting premiums and making as few payouts as possible which means even valid claims are closely looked at. They hire groups of adjusters, lawyers and medical reviewers whose job it is to find reasons to deny or cut benefits. We use our experience and knowledge to make sure your rights are protected and your insurance company does what it says it will do. Personal Injury Lawyer Fabio Longo is dedicated to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve with professionalism, integrity, and proven results.
To make a successful claim you need to know exactly what your disability policy says. These contracts use technical language and exact definitions that have a big impact on whether or not you get benefits. The definition of disability is different among various policies. Some say you can’t do your own job while others say you can’t do any job you’re reasonably suited for. This difference is very important because it changes what you need to show to get benefits. We read your policy to figure out which standard applies and come up with a plan that fits your coverage and situation.
Medical records are the most important part of any disability claim but getting the right evidence is more than just getting a doctor’s note. Insurance companies want detailed reports that explain your diagnosis, treatment history, current symptoms, functional limitations and most importantly how these things stop you from doing your job. It’s not enough to just say you can’t work. We help you work with your doctors and nurses to get detailed medical records that answer all of your insurance company’s questions. This often includes functional capacity evaluations, consultations with specialists and reports that clearly show how your medical problems affect your ability to do certain tasks at work.
Claims involving psychological injury are hard to prove because mental health conditions are often hard to test objectively. Insurance companies are especially skeptical of these claims and many policies have limits on benefits that only pay for psychological conditions for 24 months or less. We read the policy language to see if these limits apply to your case and fight back when we think they shouldn’t. We also try to show that mental illnesses often have physical effects that go beyond just mental health problems. Your mental health condition is just as real and disabling as any physical injury and we fight to make sure insurance companies know this.
When you apply for long term disability benefits you need to pay attention to every detail and meet strict deadlines. You need to fill out the forms completely and correctly with clear descriptions of your job duties, medical condition and any limitations on your ability to do things. Small mistakes or not answering all the questions can cause benefits to be denied or take a long time to get. We help with the whole application process to make sure everything is sent in correctly and on time. This planning is often what makes the difference between getting approved and getting turned down especially when the disability isn’t immediately clear to someone who doesn’t know your specific situation.
Most people don’t expect denials to happen as often as they do even for claims that seem clearly valid and well documented. Insurance companies may deny benefits for many reasons such as not having enough medical evidence, not agreeing with your doctors or saying you haven’t tried all the treatments available. A lot of denials happen because insurance company doctors review your case but never see you in person. These paper reviews look at your medical records from a distance and come to conclusions that are often different from what the doctors who treat you and know your case say. We fight against these unfair reviews by pointing out their flaws and stressing the credibility of doctors who know your condition firsthand.
There are strict time limits for the appeals process for denied claims. Most policies give you 30 to 90 days to appeal after you get a denial. If you miss this deadline you can never challenge the decision again. We make sure appeals are filed on time and include strong arguments backed up by more medical evidence. You can’t just disagree with the denial to win an appeal. You need to respond to each reason given and provide new information that shows you are eligible for benefits under your policy.
A lot of disability claims in Durham are for conditions that can’t be proven with objective tests. Insurance companies question the subjective symptoms people with chronic pain disorders, fatigue syndromes and cognitive impairments have. They might say your symptoms are worse than they are or that you could work if you tried harder. We have developed ways to present these cases by using detailed records of your symptoms, statements from people who know you well that back up your claims and medical opinions that prove your condition is real. Even if a blood test or imaging scan can’t show it, your disability is still real.
Insurance investigators often use surveillance as a way to look for inconsistencies in disability claims. Companies may hire people to follow you, watch what you do in public and check your social media accounts to find proof that goes against what you say you can do. This feels intrusive and makes you feel like you’re being treated like a liar instead of someone who needs help. We help you understand that having trouble doing some things doesn’t mean you’re not disabled. Just because you have to run errands, go to the doctor or go to family events doesn’t mean you can work full time. We make sure any surveillance footage is clearly explained and not misrepresented to make it look like you’re recovering.
When you can’t work and your disability claim is still open the financial pressure can become too much. It might seem like you can’t afford to hire a lawyer right now. We only charge you legal fees if we win your long term disability case and get you benefits. This way everyone can get good legal help no matter how much money they have right now. We only do well if you do well so our interests are completely aligned with yours.
We want you to be able to 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 plain language to explain what’s happening and we’re always here to answer your questions. You should never be unsure about where your case is at or what’s going to happen next. Regular updates and honest explanations can help calm people down during a very stressful time.
Your doctors who are treating you are very important to your claim but they may need help figuring out what exact information insurance companies need. Doctors are more interested in diagnosing and treating illnesses than in writing down disabilities for insurance purposes. We work with your medical team to get detailed reports that cover your functional limitations, work restrictions and prognosis. Sometimes this means asking for extra evaluations or setting up specialized tests that give objective proof to back up your claim.