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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.
Nick Ortiz is a disability attorney specializing in long-term disability appeals, disability insurance lawsuits, and Social Security Disability claims. Since 2005, he has dedicated his career to advocating for disabled individuals. Nick is admitted to practice in multiple courts, including the U.S. District Court – all California, Florida, and Texas Districts – and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Eleventh Circuits. He and his team of experienced paralegals are committed to providing exceptional legal service and achieving outstanding results for his clients nationwide.
When financial pressures mount due to a medical condition, it’s natural to look for ways to stay afloat. Many people receiving or applying for long-term disability (LTD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits wonder: “Can I work part-time to make up the difference?” Unfortunately, that approach can backfire. Disability benefits are not designed to …
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) denied our client’s long-term disability claim after cancer treatment, relying on a date in a form that didn’t reflect when she actually became unable to work. We clarified the true onset date with a treating-physician letter and a detailed oncology record—then resolved a “missing records” issue by resubmitting the file. Here’s what went …
If your employer goes out of business, the future of your long-term disability (LTD) insurance depends on how your policy is structured. Here’s a breakdown of what typically happens: Employer-Provided Group LTD Policy If your LTD coverage was part of a group plan provided by your employer, it’s likely that: RELATED POST: Is Your LTD Claim …
When facing a long-term disability (LTD) denial, it is important to understand the concept of the “burden of proof.” Simply put, this means the responsibility is on you, the claimant, to prove that you are disabled under the terms of your insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know. It’s not the insurance company that …
You’ve been diagnosed with a serious medical condition. You can’t work. You’ve done everything the insurance company asked—filled out forms, submitted medical records, and followed your doctor’s orders. Still, your long-term disability (LTD) claim was denied. It feels like a punch to the gut. And unfortunately, it’s a situation many people face, especially those with …
When you’re fighting for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, one of the most important people on your team is your disability lawyer. But it’s not enough for them to know the law. They also need to understand your disabling conditions. That insight makes all the difference in your case. Here are a few key reasons why …
Long-term disability (LTD) benefits can last anywhere from a few years to retirement age, depending on the specific terms of your policy. Understanding how long benefits might continue—and what might cause them to stop—is key to planning for your financial future. Here’s what you should know: Policy Terms Determine Duration Every LTD policy is different. …
Medical evidence is the foundation of any successful long-term disability claim. Whether you’re filing for benefits or appealing a denial, your medical records must tell a clear story about your condition, your treatment, and your ability (or inability) to work. In this post, we’ll walk through the types of medical evidence that matter most and …
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it’s essential to understand what factors the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider. Certain aspects of your health and daily functioning play a role in determining eligibility, but there are also factors the SSA will not consider. Knowing what is or is not important can help claimants …
Are you considering applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? One of the first questions on your mind may be, “How much will I receive each month?” Understanding your estimated benefit amount is important for financial planning. Here’s how to find your estimated Social Security Disability Insurance benefit. Pro Tip: It is best to …
Living with chronic illness is hard enough, but it is even more stressful when disability benefits are taken away. That’s what happened to one of our clients, who hasn’t been able to work because of several mental and physical health conditions. What started as a hopeful application for LTD benefits turned into a difficult fight, …
Getting (and keeping) long-term disability (LTD) benefits isn’t always easy. Recently, New York Life Insurance Company (the parent company of the underwriting company Life Insurance Company of North America) unfairly denied a claimant’s LTD benefits. Thankfully, we were able to turn things around on appeal. Our client has Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS), a serious condition …
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, like many other disability insurers, frequently denies or terminates long-term disability (LTD) claims based upon “independent” physician reviews. These reviews play a significant role in the claims process and are often used to justify claim denials. Understanding how Reliance Standard conducts these reviews and how to respond effectively can make …
Yes, volunteering can affect your long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim. Even unpaid work might suggest that you are capable of performing job-related tasks. This could jeopardize your benefits. Before volunteering, it’s important to understand the risks and speak with your doctor. How Insurance Companies View Volunteering When you’re approved for LTD benefits, it’s because you’ve …
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list by adding 13 more medical conditions that now qualify for expedited disability benefits processing. This brings the total number of CAL conditions to 300. The Compassionate Allowances program identifies people whose medical conditions are so severe that they clearly meet the SSA’s definition …
Minnesota attorney Ann Wessberg prevailed in her ERISA lawsuit against Unum after the insurer terminated her long-term disability benefits despite documented cognitive impairments linked to chemotherapy. The court found that Unum relied on flawed reasoning and non-expert reviewers, ignoring credible medical evidence. It ordered Unum to reinstate benefits and pay attorney fees and interest.
Long COVID has left millions of people struggling with debilitating symptoms that disrupt every facet of their lives. Despite its recognized impact, disability insurance companies often attempt to deny claims by misclassifying the condition to trigger a mental or nervous limitation or citing a lack of objective diagnostic evidence. Claimants are labeled with Somatic Symptom …
Krueger filed for long-term disability benefits after developing POTS. Reliance Standard denied her claim, arguing it was a pre-existing condition based on earlier treatments for migraines and tachycardia. The court disagreed, finding Krueger’s symptoms and diagnosis were distinct and not properly excluded under the policy. It ruled in her favor and ordered Reliance to pay LTD benefits.
Ziegler filed suit after Sun Life denied her long-term disability claim for lupus and related conditions. Despite support from her treating physician, Sun Life relied on three independent rheumatologists who found insufficient objective evidence to support disability. The court upheld the denial, ruling that Sun Life did not abuse its discretion under the ERISA plan.
Dr. April Halleron, a Kentucky physician, filed for STD and LTD benefits due to disabling symptoms from POTS. Reliance Standard denied both claims, citing a pre-existing condition exclusion for STD and lack of evidence for LTD. The court found both denials procedurally flawed and arbitrary, especially for failing to consider her treating physician’s opinion. The case was remanded for a full and fair review under ERISA.
Our client’s life changed drastically in June 2022, when he suffered cardiac arrest that led to an anoxic brain injury. As a result of his condition, he could no longer work. He filed a claim for long-term disability (LTD) benefits with Mutual of Omaha, and the insurance company initially approved the claim, paying benefits for …
When Reliance Standard terminated Christine Ward's benefits in 2022, citing insufficient evidence, Ward challenged the decision. The court found Reliance failed to properly evaluate her cognitive limitations and lacked substantial evidence to support its decision.
If you’re unable to work because of an illness or injury, you may be eligible for more than one type of benefit. Two of the most common are long-term disability (LTD) insurance and workers’ compensation (WC). While it’s possible to get both, it’s important to understand how these benefits work together and how one can …
Being approved for short-term disability (STD) does not automatically mean you’ll be approved for long-term disability (LTD). While the two benefits are often linked, especially if they’re offered by the same insurance company, there are important differences in how they’re evaluated. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Separate Applications and Reviewers Even if you’re …