According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 16.5% of the Cleveland, OH population under the age of 65 has a disability. Those who are unable to work may require financial assistance. If you suffer from an illness or injury that prevents you from working you should file a claim for disability benefits. You will have to prove that you are disabled in order to receive benefits, and the burden of proof rests on the claimant’s shoulders, so you may wish to talk to a Cleveland disability lawyer to discuss your options.
Our primary practice areas are long term disability claims with an insurance company such as Cigna, Unum, or Lincoln, or Social Security Disability claims the Social Security Administration. If you are struggling to obtain the benefits you deserve, our disability insurance and Social Security Disability lawyers are here to help. We offer a free consultation, as well as a no recovery, zero-fee guarantee, so you can hire a disability attorney to assist you with your case without taking any risk.
Our Cleveland Long Term Disability Lawyer Will Fight for the Benefits You Deserve
Employer-funded disability insurance policies (as well as those paid by the employee as part of a group plan benefit with the employer) may provide short-term disability benefits and long-term disability benefits. The requirements to receive disability benefits is outlined in the disability policy. Like most insurance policies, disability insurance policies typically have limitations and exclusions that allow the insurance company to deny or terminate claims under certain circumstances.
For example, most policies will only pay benefits for a mental illness claim for 24 months. We also see a pre-existing condition exclusion in most policies – which means the insurance company will not pay a claim for a condition if the claimant was already receiving treatment for the condition within a certain time frame. The insurance company may focus on a single condition that is excluded while ignoring the combined effect of the claimant’s other conditions.
Let’s say a claimant is out of work primarily due to a herniated disc, but the claimant also suffers from anxiety and depression. The insurance company may review the claim and determine that the claimant’s spinal problems are not severe enough to prevent the claimant from working, and since mental illness claims are only payable for a limited period, the insurance company could then terminate the claim even if the claimant’s mental health issues are disabling enough to prevent work activity.
We offer a free consultation to long-term disability insurance claimants whose claims were wrongfully denied or terminated.
We Represent Claimants in Cleveland, OH, and Nationwide
You may be wondering why you would hire an attorney based in Pensacola, Florida to help with your long-term disability claim in Cleveland. Most long-term disability claims (not all, but most) are governed by a federal regulation called ERISA, which makes it very easy for lawyers to help claimants across the country.
During the administrative appeal process, everything that we will need to do can be handled by mail, fax, and e-mail. Most of the work in a long-term disability claim is paper-driven, so you are free to seek out an attorney outside of your local area.
Even if we have to file a lawsuit, our location will not be a problem. Under ERISA, claimants do not have the right to a jury trial, and – in most cases – do not have the right to engage in extensive discovery. This means that it is highly unlikely that a court appearance will be required. As a result, we can handle a federal court case anywhere in the state.
Cleveland, Ohio Courts, Government, and Department of Insurance Information
Northern District of Ohio | United States District Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Official government website for the State of Ohio
Southern District of Ohio Case Summary
Court: Must Review Claim Under “Medium-Occupation” Standard
Cleveland Social Security Disability Lawyers
Social Security Administration has the federal Social Security Disability Insurance program that you have likely paid into over the years. Your medical condition must prevent you from working in order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Furthermore, your condition must last or be expected to last, a period of 12 months or longer.
Although we are based in Pensacola, Florida, we do handle Cleveland Social Security Disability claims and claims in the surrounding areas of Ohio. Whether you are just beginning to research how to file an application for benefits or you have a hearing scheduled with an Administrative Law Judge, a Cleveland Social Security Disability Lawyer at the Ortiz Law Firm will fight for the benefits you deserve.
How a Social Security Disability Lawyer at Ortiz Law Firm Can Help
A Social Security Disability attorney can assist you every step of the way, from the initial application process to the Federal Court level. The Social Security Disability attorneys at our office focus primarily on the administrative level of a claim, which includes the initial application, request for reconsideration, and request for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Claimants at any of these stages of the process are eligible to receive a free consultation with the new client advocate at our law office.
Cleveland, Ohio SSA Locations and Resources
Directions to the local Social Security Administration Offices
Information about the Cleveland Office of Hearing Operations / Office of Disability Adjudication and Review which processes Social Security Disability claims at the hearing level for claimants in Cleveland.
Top 10 Mistakes Social Security Disability Claimants Make
Call Today for a Free Consultation with a Cleveland Disability Lawyer
We assist disability claimants nationwide in claims with both disability insurance companies and the Social Security Administration. If the insurance company has closed your claim, or if you are fighting to obtain your Social Security Disability benefits then we can help. Our experienced team is ready to fight for the benefits you deserve.
You only have a limited time to appeal a wrongful denial or termination, so don’t wait too long to request a free consultation. Contact our office at (888) 321-8131 to schedule your free consultation with one of our disability insurance and Social Security Disability attorneys today.