If you are working on long term disability claims, you can’t make mistakes. If you make a mistake that could mean that you lose your claim and compensation connected to that claim. The various legal loops, you have to jump through, can cause unneeded stress and worry so if you are able to get an attorney that is a good idea.
Just because you have been paying money into your disability insurance does not mean that you are going to be able to get compensation. It takes more than you saying you are disabled for the insurance company or employer to pay you. You will submit your claim and an attorney should submit the forms with you. You do not want to miss out on monthly payments. You may also tale help from disability claims lawyers like ShareLawyers.com.
Every insurance company is different, so you need to make sure that you look over the terms of your policy before filing. You should request all LTD plan documents in writing. You will need to pay the most attention to the time limits, definition of disabilities, exclusions and limitations and waiting periods.
You need to make sure that you case is supported by medical evidence. Speak with at least one doctor and be fully examined so you will be able to have proof that you are disabled. Just because you feel disabled and feel the pain and inability to work does not mean that your insurance company will be sympathetic or want to approve you.
Once you have filed your claim, your insurance company will talk to your doctor and get your recent medical records. They will also ask for expert witness testimony as to what your limitations are. You should get the same records and make sure they are accurate and you should also confirm with the insurance company that they obtained all of the information they need. You should look for all hospital records relating to the disability, physicians notes, x-rays, lab results and MRIs. Anything that you see is inaccurate can be fixed by your doctor. The last thing you should do is ask your doctor to write a detailed report about your medical history and what limitations you have. This may be an extra charge, but could be what helps you win the case.
If your claim is denied then you have at least one or two levels of admin appeals. Anything that goes beyond this should be done with an attorney. Your attorney will make sure that your record is filled with as much favorable medical records as possible. This is known as “stacking the admin record,” and is what is needed since federal court does not often allow you to submit new evidence once you get started. Having everything in order before you go for your long term disability claims in federal court is a must.