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Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm
Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.
Receiving a denial from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can feel like the end of the road. But an ALJ denial doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of options. Many claimants go on to win their Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, either through an appeal or by filing a new application. The key is knowing what …
If you’re dealing with a long-term disability (LTD) claim, it’s important to understand the documents that govern your benefits. Two key documents you’ll likely encounter are the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and the policy (or full “Plan”). While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and carry different legal weight. What Is a Summary …
When Principal Life Insurance Company unfairly terminated our client’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits in early in 2025, we stepped in to fight back. Client Background and Initial Approval Our client became unable to work a few years prior due to serious medical conditions, including: She was right-hand dominant and relied on strong opioid medications to …
Our client was forced to stop working towards the end of 2022 due to a number of serious medical conditions. These included cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines, joint pain, GERD, multiple mental health conditions, and a complex history of back issues. Together, these conditions created significant restrictions and limitations that made …
When you’re approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your monthly benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. It’s not tied to how severe your condition is—and that means your benefit amount typically doesn’t increase if your health gets worse. Here’s what you should know if you’re experiencing a decline …
Navigating a long-term disability (LTD) claim can be overwhelming, especially when your benefits are unfairly denied. At Ortiz Law Firm, we recently helped a client successfully appeal a denial from Hartford and win a Social Security Disability claim, too. Here’s how it all unfolded. The Onset of Disability Our client stopped working in January 2024 …
If New York Life denied your long-term disability (LTD) claim, submitting the right evidence on appeal may change the outcome. You need to gather as much evidence as possible, as this could be your one chance to stack the record that a court may later review. The focus should be on documenting your functional limitations, …
Imagine making it nearly to the end of your short-term disability (STD) benefit period—only to have your benefits denied with just a couple weeks to go. It’s a discouraging situation that many claimants face. Not only does the denial cut off a vital source of income, but it can also create doubts about pursuing long-term …
If you’re pursuing long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may think that starting your own business is harmless—as long as it doesn’t make money. After all, you’re not back to full-time work, and your condition still limits what you can do. But insurers and the Social Security Administration (SSA) see …
Filing a disability claim—whether it’s for long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits or Social Security Disability (SSD)—is a complex process. When you’re dealing with a serious medical condition and the stress of being out of work, it might be tempting to look for quick, easy solutions online. AI tools like ChatGPT and other third-party apps can …
If New York Life denied your long-term disability (LTD) claim, you still have a path forward. The appeal is your chance to correct errors, close evidence gaps, and build the strongest possible case if you later need to file a lawsuit. Below is a clear, practical plan based on how we handle New York Life …
In a surprising but welcome move, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has withdrawn a controversial proposal that would have made it harder for older Americans to qualify for disability benefits. The decision comes after significant backlash from disability advocates and concerns raised within the Trump administration. The now-shelved plan aimed to eliminate or reduce age …
If your short-term disability (STD) claim was denied, you’re probably feeling discouraged—and maybe wondering whether it even makes sense to try for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. The truth is: you often can still pursue LTD, and in many cases you should. Denying an STD claim does not automatically bar a valid LTD claim. Why Short-Term …
If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability benefits, chances are you’ve spent some time checking the status of your claim through the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) online portal. And if you’re like many claimants, you may have found the information confusing, vague, or even unsettling. But here’s the truth: you shouldn’t panic over what you …
When you apply for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you’re asserting that you’re unable to work due to a medical condition. Many claimants don’t fully grasp what that means in practice—or how even minimal work activity can be used against them. Whether you’re running errands for a neighbor, doing a …
If you’re applying for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you know that working can put your claim at risk. But what about hobbies? Activities like painting, photography, gardening, woodworking, or volunteering may seem harmless—but depending on how they’re perceived, your insurer or the Social Security Administration (SSA) might see them …
When you apply for disability benefits, you’re making a statement- that you are no longer able to work due to a disabling condition. But if you’re still working, even part-time or in a reduced role, it can directly contradict that claim. Many applicants believe that limited work won’t hurt their case. Especially if it’s just …
If you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits and have an upcoming hearing, you’re not alone. Many applicants only win benefits at the hearing stage — but preparation is key. Below are some of the best attorney-tested strategies for increasing your chances of success. 1. Know What the Judge Is Looking For Administrative Law Judges …
Baptist Health Care is one of the major employers in Pensacola, FL and the surrounding area. If you work for Baptist Health Care or you’re employed through one of Baptist’s affiliated entities such as Baptist Medical Group, Baptist Medical Park Surgery Center, Baptist Urgent Care, Jay Hospital, or The Towers Pharmacy, you likely have access …
If you’re receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits through a group insurance policy, you may be wondering what happens if your employment ends or your group coverage is terminated. One potential option is a “conversion privilege.” How Conversion Works A conversion privilege allows you to convert your group LTD coverage into an individual policy under certain …
If you’re in the middle of a long-term disability (LTD) claim, you may come across the term MMI, or Maximum Medical Improvement. It’s a medical milestone, but it can also have major implications for your benefits. While that may sound like closure, in the world of disability insurance, it often marks a shift in how …
If you’ve applied for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may think that driving for Uber, picking up freelance projects, or selling crafts on Etsy is harmless. After all, it’s flexible, sporadic, and usually not a full-time income. But here’s the problem: gig work and part-time jobs still count as work, …
If you’re appealing a denied long-term disability (LTD) claim, you may find the insurance company asking for something unusual: the raw data from your neuropsychological testing. It might sound like a harmless request — after all, you’ve already given them the doctor’s report. But raw data is different, and sharing it without caution could put …
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance is meant to replace income when illness or injury prevents you from working. Many policyholders expect that, if approved, benefits will last until retirement age. Unfortunately, insurers are increasingly rewriting policy language to limit benefits to just 24 months for a wide range of conditions. What began as restrictions only for …
