Nick Ortiz represents policyholders in individual disability, group disability, and ERISA long-term disability claims. Mr. Ortiz also represents individuals with disability insurance 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 to restore the benefits without going to court and engaging in litigation. However, if the insurance company does not grant the appeal and pay the benefits owed, 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 New York Life, Lincoln, Reliance Standard, Prudential, The Hartford, The Standard, MetLife, Guardian, Unum, Sun Life, and Liberty Mutual. The firm is dedicated to excellent client service and outstanding results.
Mr. Ortiz offers a free case evaluation to meet new client referrals. He represents disabled individuals in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. He routinely meets with disability policyholders to evaluate their claims and provides legal advice concerning their potential actions against their individual (or group) insurance carriers.
For Social Security Disability claims, he assists clients in filing their initial applications for benefits. He will appeal a denial and represent you at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge if necessary.
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 of persuasion and argument.
With this foundtaion, 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 as a paralegal in Washington, D.C., at the prestigious law firm Covington & Burling. He then attended 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 of 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 to branch out 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;
- The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida;
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida;
- The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida;
- The United States District Court for the Central District of California;
- The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California;
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of California;
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
What Our Clients Say About Working with Nick
Attorney Nick Ortiz is the best disability attorney. After extensive research, I contacted Attorney Ortiz in reference to my denied LTD insurance claim. After working 30 years and becoming disabled due to TBI, it was a horrible ordeal being on $0 income. Attorney Ortiz is brilliant and compassionate, and he truly cares about getting you a winning result. Attorney Ortiz did an outstanding appeal and had my claim overturned without having to file a lawsuit in court. When I received the back paycheck, I cried because I felt safe having Attorney Ortiz as my advocate. Thanks to Attorney Ortiz, Alicia, and Dawn, I will have a joyous holiday season.
My only regret is that this review is about seven years overdue. I rarely write reviews and did the firm a disservice by not submitting any reviews of the great service I received from the Ortiz Law Firm back in 2013. If I recall correctly, he was the only attorney with the firm then. He and his staff were very deserving of a positive review. Today I was reminded of the EXCELLENT service received from Nick Ortiz while looking for an attorney for my VA disability claim, and decided to write the belated review that I should have at the time.
Nick succeeded in getting my Social Security Disability claim approved the first time through. I wasn’t getting very far in the initial filing of my claim for SSDI benefits, just spinning my wheels trying to navigate SSA’s requirements and gathering the necessary records. My physical and mental health had me really stressed out, and I was overwhelmed with just getting by day-to-day. I met with Nick O. for a free consultation. He impressed me with his ability to listen and understand my issues and with his track record dealing with the SSA. He had a very pleasant personality, and was easy to talk to. He accepted my case, and handled everything involving my claim.
About four to five months later, my claim was approved! No need to file an appeal or anything else. I was/am extremely pleased with the outcome. His fee was some of the best money I ever spent. He earned every penny of it and then some!
I would definitely recommend Nick Ortiz for any of his practice areas and have done so numerous times to friends and others dealing with the SSA.
I cannot say enough about this very knowledgeable, kind, and keen to help lawyer. He is very transparent about his strategy and ability to assist, very honest. I called for a consult and a call back was timely received. In addition, he listened thoroughly and compassionately. He took over an hour of his time on a Friday evening to give me excellent direction despite knowing I would not be able to retain him as a lawyer in my particular case. This should speak loudly to anyone considering him as a lawyer. As a nurse, I appreciate those who go the extra mile and practice the Golden Rule. Mr. Ortiz had nothing to gain from me, yet he made me feel extremely valued and regarded my struggle with absolute professionalism and dignity. You can trust you are in the best of hands with him. I am motivated to pay it forward by his kind example!!
When I was denied my second appeal for disability, I had to find an attorney to represent me. When I went online, I found dozens and dozens of attorneys that specialize in disability. So I read many reviews, and I selected Nick Ortiz. Selecting Nick Ortiz’s firm was one of the best choices I have ever made. Nick Ortiz’s law firm has an excellent staff. Sarah (one of the staff) has over 10 years of professional experience in the legal field, and she could answer my questions and put me at ease when I called. Tory, the paralegal assigned to my claim, has over 20 years experience. She was very empathetic to my situation and did a great job calming me down and gathering the records from the nine doctors I am seeing. Tory and Sarah were always accessible and patient no matter what questions I had. Nick is a no-nonsense man. My conversation with him put my mind at ease. They also have online courses called the Disability Academy that address everything you need to know before the hearing with the ALJ (the Administrative Law Judge). The veteran staff is there to answer all of your questions and treat you with compassion. I asked Nick what he thought my chances were, and he replied, “I have looked at your case, and I am in it to win.” And win, he did. I received full disability. I would highly recommend Nick Ortiz to represent you! The firm provides everything to help you prepare for your hearing.
My review is a little late due to illness. Nick Ortiz is the most honest, compassionate person I have ever dealt with along with Tory Nelson his senior paralegal. From start to finish I was treated like I really mattered. A refreshing difference from the way I was treated by my long-term disability company. Within a couple of months my benefits were reinstated!! Within six weeks after that a settlement was negotiated by Mr. Ortiz for a lot more than I expected. My disability company is now permanently out of my life!!!! Thanks to Nick Ortiz, Tory Nelson, and staff, I sleep much easier. Nick Ortiz, Tory Nelson, and the staff are all my heroes.
I wish I could give 10 stars. Experience was amazing from beginning to end. Attorney Ortiz and his staff were outstanding – organized, timely, kind, compassionate. They helped me through every step of the process. The video tutorials were such a big help. Tory was invaluable – telling me what I needed, how to get it, when to have it – and answering all my endless questions to make sure my case would be as strong as possible. I can’t say enough. I had previously applied for SSDI and been denied at the ALJ level (with different representation). At the recommendation of this firm I started over with a new application/case – and this time we won at the ALJ hearing level. Attorney Ortiz and his staff have a really good understanding of this entire process, and can help you put your strongest case forward.
Choosing the best law firm for my LTD was an easy choice. The Ortiz Law Firm has years of experience in helping clients win their LTD cases. The entire team has been great to work with, Tory Boliew is one of the best Senior Paralegal’s I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Clear communications, follow-up and always ready to answer questions. I was impressed when I received two books from Nick Ortiz on LTD and SSD. There is a lot of great information in these books. While it may not be typical, in my case once I hired the Ortiz Law Firm to help fight for my benefits, it was a quick decision and finally decided by the insurance company that I was indeed permanently disabled and they had to pay my back pay as well as going forward. I HIGHLY recommend the Ortiz Law Firm! They know all the legal tricks insurance companies use to deny claims, but with Nick Ortiz and his team, they responded with all the legal arguments and made me a happy client and I continue to have the Ortiz Law Firm represent me going forward to help protect my claim and benefits. Thank you Nick & team for giving me peace of mind and taking the huge burden off my shoulders. To say I am impressed is an understatement.
