If you’ve been disabled but denied your LTD benefits by the insurer, a San Francisco long-term disability attorney can help you assert your rights and collect the benefits you’re due.
Getting injured or falling ill to the point that you’re no longer able to work means that you could have the right to file a claim with your long-term disability (LTD) insurance policy. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly easy for these claims to get unjustly denied.
In fact, some LTD insurers seem to deny almost every single claim, likely hoping that you’ll be discouraged enough not to appeal the disability claim denial.
While it’s certainly possible to appeal a denial on your own, the insurer is much more likely to take your claim seriously when you work with an attorney. If your LTD claim has been denied, a San Francisco disability lawyer from Haffner Law can give you the best chance for winning the benefits you’re entitled to.
How Do I Qualify for Long-Term Disability?
Most people who have an LTD policy have them through their employer, although it’s also possible to obtain disability insurance privately through an individual plan. The definition of “disabled” that you must meet will depend on what your particular policy specifies.
Most disability plans fall under one of the following categories:
- You are disabled when your injury or disability prevents you from fulfilling the job duties of your own job.
- You are disabled when your injury or disability prevents you from fulfilling the job duties of any job.
If your policy falls into the first category, you become eligible for disability benefits when you cannot perform your current job due to your disability.
In the second category, you only become eligible for LTD benefits when you can’t perform any job. This means that if you’re a construction worker and suffer a leg amputation, you might still not qualify for long-term disability benefits if you could successfully switch careers, such as by taking a desk job that doesn’t require the use of your legs.
Appealing a Long-Term Disability Denial
Sadly, many LTD insurance companies will deny your benefits application even if you clearly meet the policy’s definition of “disabled.”
By working with a San Francisco disability attorney, you can challenge the denial and possibly get your claim approved for disability benefits.
When consulting with your lawyer, make sure to bring in a copy of your disability policy, the denial letter, and any medical records that detail the medical treatment and evaluations you’ve so far undergone. Any letters from doctors, friends, coworkers, and employers attesting to your disability can also greatly help your case.
If you’re currently missing any of this documentation, don’t worry—our firm will help you gather everything you need for your appeal and present it in the most compelling way possible.
Connect with a San Francisco Long-Term Disability Lawyer
Haffner Law has a long history of successfully challenging disability claim denials. We have in-depth knowledge of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the law governing disability claims and insurers, and we’ll apply the full wealth of this knowledge to your case.
To set up a free consultation with a San Francisco disability lawyer, just complete the contact form below or give us a call at 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637).
