Nick Ortiz

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.

Pensacola International Airport Launches Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program: A Win for Invisible Disability Awareness

Starting June 2, 2025, Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is rolling out a new initiative that could make travel significantly more accessible for individuals living with invisible disabilities. The airport has officially joined the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a voluntary system that helps travelers who may need additional time, support, or understanding while navigating the …

Sami v. Guardian – Florida Shipping Supervisor Wins ERISA Remand After Guardian Failed to Provide Full and Fair Review

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of FloridaInsurance Carrier: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Contec, LLCClaimant’s Occupation: Shipping Supervisor Hari Sami was employed as a shipping supervisor for Contec, LLC in Florida when he suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or more commonly referred to as a “mini-stroke,” caused by a …

How Insurers Misinterpret Medical Evidence to Deny Long-Term Disability Claims

For many professionals, a disabling chronic illness brings more than just physical symptoms—it upends your career, your routines, and your sense of identity. You’ve spent years building your professional life, only to be sidelined by a medical condition that makes full-time work impossible. When you file a claim for long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits, you …

Stroke Survivor Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Wrongful Denial by New York Life

A 61-year-old former general manager for Chuck E. Cheese’s life was turned upside down when he suffered a serious stroke. The stroke left him with right-sided weakness (hemiparesis), clumsiness, sensory loss, balance problems, memory issues, near-syncopal episodes, and fatigue. These impairments made it impossible for him to continue working. At first, New York Life acknowledged …

Should You Accept a Buyout Offer from Unum on Your Long-Term Disability Claim?

If you’re receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits from Unum, you may eventually receive a buyout offer — a lump sum payment in exchange for giving up future monthly benefits. It may seem like a good deal on the surface, but there’s a lot to consider before you say yes. What Is a Long-Term Disability Buyout? …

Case Study: How We Helped a Digital Coach Secure Long-Term Disability Benefits After a Denial by Sedgwick

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we know that navigating the complexities of disability claims can be overwhelming, especially when insurance companies deny benefits due to a lack of so-called “objective evidence.” A recent case illustrates the challenges our client faced and how we stepped in to help her secure the benefits she rightfully deserved. The …

Understanding Sun Life’s Independent Physician Reviews

If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied by Sun Life, one of the most critical parts of the appeals process may involve an “independent” physician review. While this may sound like an objective second opinion, the process is often anything but neutral. In reality, these reviews can be a significant hurdle in securing …

Can I Collect Long-Term Disability Benefits If I Live Outside the United States?

In 2016, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimated that there were 8.7 million U.S. citizens were living abroad, and the Social Security Administration reported that more than half a million people living outside the United States receive some type of Social Security benefit, including Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Although disability insurance companies do not typically publish …

Eggleston v. Unum – Florida Nurse Loses Disability Benefits Appeal Against Unum Despite Years of Chronic Pain

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami DivisionInsurance Carrier: Unum Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical CenterClaimant’s Occupation: Clinical and Research Nurse Disclaimer: Please note that this claim was not handled by the Ortiz Law Firm. It is summarized here for educational purposes. From Providing Compassionate …

Can I Quit My Job While on Long Term Disability?

Many long term disability recipients remain “employed” with their employer, perhaps listed as an “inactive employee”. But let’s say there has not been a formal separation – either by resignation or termination. Can one “quit” the job while receiving long term disability (LTD) benefits? Yes, you can quit your job while on LTD benefits, but …

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Systems Engineer Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits from MetLife

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we recently had the privilege of helping a client who had been unfairly denied his long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Our client became disabled due to a combination of debilitating medical conditions, including long COVID syndrome with shortness of breath and dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic migraines, dyspnea on exertion, cervical …

Your Long-Term Disability Appeal May Be Your Only Chance to Submit New Evidence

Many people assume that if their long-term disability (LTD) appeal is denied, they can simply take the insurance company to court and present all the evidence they didn’t get to include earlier. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works under the law that governs most group LTD policies: ERISA, which is short for the Employee Retirement …

Understanding Long-Term Disability Reviews: Why Your LTD Benefits Aren’t Guaranteed Forever

When an insurance company approves a long-term disability (LTD) claim, many claimants assume that their benefits will continue indefinitely into the future. However, insurers are not required to approve benefits forever. Instead, they conduct periodic reviews to determine whether a claimant still meets the policy’s definition of disability. Understanding how and why these reviews occur …

Peer Review Reports in Long-Term Disability Claims and Appeals

If your long-term disability (LTD) claim has been denied, there’s a good chance that a “peer review report” played a role in that decision. Understanding what these reports are and how they’re used can help you make sense of the denial letter you received—and decide what to do next. What Is a Peer Review Report? …

Ortiz Law Firm Secures Reinstatement of Long-Term Disability Benefits for Client Denied by Lincoln National

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we fight for people who have been unfairly denied long-term disability benefits. Our recent success story highlights the importance of perseverance and strong legal advocacy when battling insurance companies like Lincoln National. Case Overview Our client, an airline operations agent, became disabled in March 2023 due to a combination of …

Why It Takes So Long to Receive a Decision on a Long-Term Disability Appeal

You’ve filed your long-term disability (LTD) appeal. You followed the instructions, submitted medical records, maybe even worked with your doctor or an attorney. Now comes the hardest part: waiting. You may be checking the mail or your inbox daily, wondering when the insurance company will respond. If it’s been several weeks—or even months—you’re not alone …

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits After New York Life Denial

Our client was forced to stop working due to a combination of disabling conditions, including essential tremor, chronic pain and neuropathy, and complications from right shoulder surgery. New York Life initially approved her long-term disability (LTD) claim and paid benefits during the 24-month “own occupation” period. However, after that period ended, the definition of disability …

What Does Disability Mean In A Long-Term Disability Claim?

When people think of disability, they often picture someone who can’t work at all. But when it comes to long-term disability insurance, the word “disability” can mean very different things—depending entirely on how it’s defined in your policy. Understanding the exact definition of “disability” in your plan is critical. It’s the basis for whether you …

New York Life Reverses Disability Denial for Navy Federal Credit Union Employee

I’m honored to share another story of how we helped a client recover the long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits she desperately needed after her claim was unfairly denied. This is a testament to the power of perseverance and expertise when it comes to fighting for our clients’ rights against large insurance companies like New York …

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Financial Manager Recover Wrongly Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we fight to make sure insurance companies live up to their obligations. Recently, we helped a Charles Schwab financial manager regain the claimant’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits after Lincoln National wrongfully terminated the claimant’s disability claim. Denial of a Valid Disability Claim Our client is disabled and unable to work …

Trial Attorney Wins ERISA Lawsuit Against Unum for Wrongful Termination of Disability Benefits

Court: United States District Court for the District of MinnesotaInsurance Carrier: Unum Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Geraghty, O’Loughlin & Kenney, P.A.Claimant’s Occupation: Medical Malpractice Trial Attorney Long-Term Disability Benefits Denied Despite Cancer Diagnosis Mark W. Hardy, a Minnesota medical malpractice trial attorney, filed a lawsuit against Unum Life Insurance Company of America after …

The Appeals Process for Mental Health-Related Long-Term Disability Claims

Navigating the appeals process for mental health-related long-term disability (LTD) claims can be particularly challenging. Unlike physical conditions that can be documented with imaging and lab results, mental health disorders rely on more subjective assessments that insurers often undervalue or dismiss. Insurers may also use various tactics to discredit claims, such as surveillance, relying on …