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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.

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Home | Archives for Nick Ortiz | Page 10

Nick Ortiz

How To Prepare For a Disability Insurance Field Interview

April 9, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

When you file a long-term disability claim, it is common for the insurance investigator to call you and ask casual questions about your health and daily life. Next, they will say, "We want to send someone to your home to meet with you to discuss your claim." This is called a field interview.

Read moreHow To Prepare For a Disability Insurance Field Interview
Category: Long-Term Disability

Residual Functional Capacity Forms [Download Free RFC Form]

April 9, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Note: This form is also known as an Attending Physician Statement (APS) or a Medical Source Statement (MSS). We will use these terms interchangeably throughout the rest of this article. What Is A Residual Functional Capacity Assessment? A residual functional capacity assessment evaluates your impairment(s) and any related symptoms, such as pain, …

Read moreResidual Functional Capacity Forms [Download Free RFC Form]
Category: Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability

Senegal v. Reliance Standard – Court Remands Case For Further Review

January 7, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, Tommy W. Senegal (“Senegal”) had a long-term disability policy that was administered by Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”) as a benefit of his employment by Cequel III, LLC (“Cequel”). Senegal worked for Cequel as a field service engineer; his duties were specifically related to supervising cable …

Read moreSenegal v. Reliance Standard – Court Remands Case For Further Review
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Reliance Standard

Donlick v. Standard – Claim Denial Was Not Arbitrary And Capricious

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Marybeth M. Donlick (“Donlick”) was employed as a truck driver for Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”). Through her employment, Donlick received coverage for a long-term disability benefits plan, which was administered by Standard Insurance Company (“Standard”). On August 7, 2012, Donlick was in a motorcycle crash which caused her to have …

Read moreDonlick v. Standard – Claim Denial Was Not Arbitrary And Capricious
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Standard

Diaz v. Liberty Life – Court Rules LTD Claim Denial Was Supported

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, David Diaz (“Diaz”) was the district manager at JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (“JM Family Enterprises”) between September 2010 and October 2015. JM Family Enterprises’ had an employee benefit plan which covered long-term disability benefits. This plan was insured by Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston (“Liberty”). Under the plan, …

Read moreDiaz v. Liberty Life – Court Rules LTD Claim Denial Was Supported
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Liberty Mutual

Deroo v. Unum – Court Rules Job Suitable For Claimant Doesn’t Exist

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Carianne Deroo (“Deroo”) worked as an employee for Beaumont Hospital as a Clinical Nurse II. This role involved full-time work as a registered nurse which required patient care. Through her employment with Beaumont Hospital, Deroo was covered by a long-term disability benefits policy which was administered by Unum Life Insurance Company of America …

Read moreDeroo v. Unum – Court Rules Job Suitable For Claimant Doesn’t Exist
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Unum

Counts v. United Of Omaha – Court Rules United Of Omaha Must Pay Benefits

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Brenda Counts (“Counts”) previously worked as an employee of Denver Wholesale Florist-Flint as a flower sales specialist. Her job title was formally known as “Inside Sales Associate” which required “making sales calls, pulling product[,] and packing.” Through her job, she held a disability insurance policy with United of Omaha Life Insurance …

Read moreCounts v. United Of Omaha – Court Rules United Of Omaha Must Pay Benefits
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Mutual of Omaha

Conner v. Sedgwick – Court Finds Claim Denial Was Reasonable And Supported

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Lisa Conner (“Conner”) was a perioperative nurse at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Through her employment, she held a policy under the Ascension Health (“Ascension”) Long-Term Disability plan. Sedgwick administered this plan. The language of the plan explained that: On May 20, 2013, Conner was in a car accident that left her …

Read moreConner v. Sedgwick – Court Finds Claim Denial Was Reasonable And Supported
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Sedgwick

Benson v. Hartford – Court Affirms Hartford LTD Claim Denial

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Keyton Benson (“Benson”) was employed by Tower Hill Insurance Group. Through his employer, Benson was eligible for long-term disability benefits through a policy issued by Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company (“Hartford”). The policy language states that it will provide a policyholder with monthly payments if he has: In addition, the …

Read moreBenson v. Hartford – Court Affirms Hartford LTD Claim Denial
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Hartford

How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Long-Term Disability Benefits

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In a perfect world, anyone who suffers from a physical or emotional disability would have the resources to seek treatment and provide for themselves without supplemental income. But since we live in the real world, many people struggle to make ends meet during a period of disability. Long-term disability insurance is supposed to provide …

Read moreHow To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Long-Term Disability Benefits
Category: Your Chances of Getting Approved for Disability Benefits

Own Occupation vs Any Occupation In Disability Insurance Claims

January 5, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

The Definition of Disability One of the most important things to know is how disability is defined in your policy. Whether you have an employer-provided group policy or an individual policy, there are significant differences in the definitions of disability. Understanding these differences is crucial for filing successful long-term disability …

Read moreOwn Occupation vs Any Occupation In Disability Insurance Claims
Category: Long-Term Disability

Independent Medical Exams In Long-Term Disability Claims

January 5, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

What Is an Independent Medical Examination? An independent medical examination (IME) is an exam performed by a medical professional not currently associated with your case. However, we don’t like using the term “independent” when referring to a medical examination ordered by a disability insurance company.  The word independent is …

Read moreIndependent Medical Exams In Long-Term Disability Claims
Category: Additional Parts Of A Claim That Do Not Happen in Every Case

Why Are Long-Term Disability Denials So Common After Two Years?

December 28, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Many people on long-term disability worry about whether they will continue to receive benefits beyond the two-year mark, and for a good reason: Long-term disability denials are common after two years because most disability insurance policies change the definition of disability or will no longer pay benefits for certain conditions after benefits …

Read moreWhy Are Long-Term Disability Denials So Common After Two Years?
Category: Long-Term Disability Denials and Appeals

Why Most Long-Term Disability Appeals Suck!

October 1, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

When most people file a long-term disability appeal, it is a really basic, one or two-paragraph appeal letter that says, “Look, long-term disability insurance company. I really think you got this one wrong. I think there is more than enough evidence to support my long-term disability claim. I want you to go back, take another …

Read moreWhy Most Long-Term Disability Appeals Suck!
Category: Long-Term Disability Denials and Appeals

Start The Investigation Of Your Personal Injury Case As Early As Possible

July 23, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The number one way that an attorney can make a difference in your personal injury claim is by starting the investigation of your case as early as possible. It is critical to explore the individual facts and circumstances of your case as early as possible. One of the most important things that needs to be done at …

Read moreStart The Investigation Of Your Personal Injury Case As Early As Possible
Category: Personal Injury

An Attorney Can Help Locate All Defendants In An Injury Case

July 23, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

An experienced attorney can help you locate all defendants in the case. What do I mean by that? Sometimes, there is one defendant who was driving the car, who owned that car. There’s no one else responsible for the accident, so there’s only one person to identify. But, in some circumstances, there may be more than one …

Read moreAn Attorney Can Help Locate All Defendants In An Injury Case
Category: Personal Injury

An Attorney Can Help Find All Appropriate Insurance Coverage

July 23, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Most accidents are covered by insurance, because the reality is that most of the time the person who hit you, or who’s responsible for an accident, probably doesn’t have their own assets or enough money to fully compensate you for your injuries from the wreck. That’s why you really want to make a claim against the …

Read moreAn Attorney Can Help Find All Appropriate Insurance Coverage
Category: Personal Injury

Should I File An Optional Long-Term Disability Appeal?

July 23, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

If your disability insurance company has denied or terminated your long-term disability claim, you should review your insurance policy to familiarize yourself with your appeal rights and requirements. Specifically, you should determine how many appeals you have the right to or are required to file before you can file a lawsuit against your insurer. …

Read moreShould I File An Optional Long-Term Disability Appeal?
Category: Long-Term Disability Denials and Appeals

What The SSA Won’t Tell You About Applying For Social Security Disability

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (DIB, also called SSDI or RSDI), Social Security does not tell you that you can (or should) hire a Social Security disability attorney to assist you in your claim. You Have The Right To Representation From The Beginning Many claimants know they can hire an attorney …

Read moreWhat The SSA Won’t Tell You About Applying For Social Security Disability
Category: Social Security Disability

A Closed Period Of Benefits In Social Security Disability Claims

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

A “closed period” of benefits may be appropriate in Social Security disability claims where the claimant’s impairment has lasted for a continuous period of at least 12 months but improves to the point where the claimant is no longer disabled at the time the claim is ultimately decided (in other words, at the time of …

Read moreA Closed Period Of Benefits In Social Security Disability Claims
Category: Social Security Disability

Understanding The Treating Physician Rule In Social Security Disability Claims

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Previously, the “Treating Physician Rule” provided that substantial weight should be given to the impairment opinions given by a treating doctor in a Social Security Disability Insurance claim. However, starting March 27, 2017, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer prioritize the opinions of your personal doctors. …

Read moreUnderstanding The Treating Physician Rule In Social Security Disability Claims
Category: Social Security Disability

The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process Social Security Uses To Determines Disability

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled. These rules apply to you if you file any of the following applications for Social Security disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, child’s insurance benefits, and …

Read moreThe Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process Social Security Uses To Determines Disability
Category: Social Security Disability

Submitting New Evidence To The Appeals Council

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The Appeals Council is the final level of administrative appeal following an unfavorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in Social Security disability claims. Sometimes, evidence may not reach the ALJ before your hearing. Fortunately, you can still submit new evidence to the Appeals Council, provided the following conditions are …

Read moreSubmitting New Evidence To The Appeals Council
Category: Social Security Disability

Speaking Engagements

July 21, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Currently Scheduled Speaking Engagements Nick Ortiz is not currently scheduled for any future speaking engagements. If you would like to contact Mr. Ortiz about giving a presentation to your group or organization, please contact the Ortiz Law Firm at (888) 321-8131. Previous Speaking Engagements “Handling A Social Security Disability Case”, March …

Read moreSpeaking Engagements
Category: News
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