Ni
ck Ortiz represents policyholders in individual disability, group disability, and ERISA long-term disability claims, individuals with disability policies covered by “self-funded” employer organizations, such as Solutia and UnitedHealth Group, and Social Security Disability claimants.
He assists clients in filing administrative appeals in their disability claims in an attempt to restore the benefits without the need to go to court and engage in litigation. However, if the insurance company does not grant the appeal and pay the benefits owed, then he will represent his clients in litigation against the insurance company.
Mr. Ortiz has handled LTD appeals and/or filed lawsuits against all of the major disability insurance companies, including Aetna, CIGNA, MetLife, The Hartford, The Standard, UNUM, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Principal, Assurant, Sun Life, and Prudential. The firm is dedicated to excellent client service and outstanding results.
Mr. Ortiz offers a free consultation to meet new client referrals. He routinely meets with disability policyholders to evaluate their claims and provides legal advice with respect to their potential actions against their individual (or group) insurance carriers.
He grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He first became interested in the legal profession after participating in his high school’s debate program. He also played a lawyer in a high school mock trial. These experiences led him to become a student in the art of persuasion and argument.
With this foundation, Mr. Ortiz went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University. He took two years off after college to work in Washington D.C. at the prestigious law firm Covington & Burling as a paralegal. He then went on to attend UCLA Law School in Los Angeles, California. While in law school, Mr. Ortiz participated in moot court and trial advocacy programs. He also participated in legal aid, assisting the poor and indigent in legal matters. He clerked for plaintiffs’ law firms during the summers between academic school years.
Following law school graduation in 2001, Mr. Ortiz stayed in Los Angeles. He passed the State Bar of California and worked as an insurance defense attorney. After only one year representing insurance companies, Mr. Ortiz confirmed he did not want to represent corporate entities. He wanted to represent individuals. He, therefore, joined a small law firm representing injury claimants.
By 2004-2005, the cost of living in Los Angeles was becoming outrageous. So, in 2004 Mr. Ortiz sat for the Florida Bar and passed. In 2005, Mr. Ortiz returned to Florida with his wife and practiced law with The Soloway Law Firm. While at The Soloway Law Firm, Mr. Ortiz broadened his practice from representing injury victims to representing injury victims and disabled workers. He learned how to handle a Social Security disability claim from beginning to end, and also how to handle long-term ERISA disability claims.
After seven years with The Soloway Law Firm, Mr. Ortiz decided it was time to branch out on his own as a solo attorney. On June 1, 2012, he opened The Ortiz Law Firm.
Mr. Ortiz is admitted to:
- The Florida Supreme Court;
- All Florida State Circuit Courts; and
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.