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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 | Disability Law Blog

Disability Law Blog

Challenging a Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Denial: Understanding Independent Physician Reviews

August 20, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreChallenging a Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Denial: Understanding Independent Physician Reviews
Category: Medical Eligibility for Long-Term Disability Claims

Will Volunteering Affect My Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim?

August 15, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreWill Volunteering Affect My Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim?
Category: Long-Term Disability, Your Chances of Getting Approved for Disability Benefits

SSA Adds 13 New Conditions to Compassionate Allowances List in 2025

August 13, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreSSA Adds 13 New Conditions to Compassionate Allowances List in 2025
Category: News, Social Security Disability

Wessberg v. Unum – Minnesota Attorney Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit

August 11, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreWessberg v. Unum – Minnesota Attorney Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

When Disability Insurers Deny Long COVID Claims Due to Mental Health Limitations and Objective Evidence Requirements

August 8, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreWhen Disability Insurers Deny Long COVID Claims Due to Mental Health Limitations and Objective Evidence Requirements
Category: Long-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability Denials and Appeals

Krueger v. Reliance Standard – Illinois HR Executive Wins LTD Lawsuit Over Misapplied Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion

August 6, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreKrueger v. Reliance Standard – Illinois HR Executive Wins LTD Lawsuit Over Misapplied Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Pre-Existing Condition, Reliance Standard

Ziegler v. Sun Life – Court Upholds Denial of Disability Benefits for Missouri Ophthalmic Technician

August 4, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreZiegler v. Sun Life – Court Upholds Denial of Disability Benefits for Missouri Ophthalmic Technician
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Sun Life

Halleron v. Reliance Standard – Baptist Healthcare Physician’s LTD Claim Sent Back for Full Review After Flawed Denial

July 30, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreHalleron v. Reliance Standard – Baptist Healthcare Physician’s LTD Claim Sent Back for Full Review After Flawed Denial
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Pre-Existing Condition, Reliance Standard

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Denied LTD Benefits After Cardiac Arrest and Brain Injury

July 23, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Denied LTD Benefits After Cardiac Arrest and Brain Injury
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Mutual of Omaha

Ward v. Reliance Standard – Maryland Engineer Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit

July 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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.

Read moreWard v. Reliance Standard – Maryland Engineer Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

How Long-Term Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits Interact

July 18, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreHow Long-Term Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits Interact
Category: Long-Term Disability

Do I Automatically Get Long-Term Disability If I’m Approved For Short-Term Disability?

July 16, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreDo I Automatically Get Long-Term Disability If I’m Approved For Short-Term Disability?
Category: Long-Term Disability

Mercer v. Unum – Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Denied Long-Term Disability for Failure to Prove Continuing Disability

July 11, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Mercer filed for long-term disability due to chronic conditions including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Unum denied her claim, arguing she was not continuously disabled during the plan’s 180-day elimination period. Although Mercer submitted strong support from her doctors and a vocational expert, the court upheld Unum’s denial, finding …

Read moreMercer v. Unum – Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Denied Long-Term Disability for Failure to Prove Continuing Disability
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Case Study: Engineer with TBI Wins LTD Appeal with MetLife

July 9, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Our client, a senior principal electrical engineer, had dedicated his career to solving complex problems in a demanding technical field. However, after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and developed post-concussion syndrome, memory loss, and additional complications, including edema, a Factor V Leiden mutation, ADHD, and anxiety and …

Read moreCase Study: Engineer with TBI Wins LTD Appeal with MetLife
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: MetLife

Do Short-Term Disability Insurance Policies Have Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions?

July 7, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When shopping for or reviewing disability insurance, one important clause to understand is the “pre-existing condition exclusion.” This clause can significantly impact your ability to collect benefits if your disability is related to a medical condition you had before your coverage began. But here’s the key distinction: while …

Read moreDo Short-Term Disability Insurance Policies Have Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions?
Category: Long-Term Disability
Tags: Pre-Existing Condition

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

July 4, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read morePensacola International Airport Launches Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program: A Win for Invisible Disability Awareness
Category: News

Claiming Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits

July 2, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

If you’ve been seriously injured or developed a long-term medical condition that prevents you from working, you may qualify for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and workers’ compensation (WC) benefits. While you may be able to get both at the same time, there are important rules about how these benefits work together and how …

Read moreClaiming Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Category: Social Security Disability

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

June 30, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Hari Sami, a Florida shipping supervisor, sued Guardian after it terminated his long-term disability benefits without giving him an opportunity to respond to critical medical reviews. The court ruled that Guardian violated ERISA by failing to provide those reports in advance of its final denial. As a result, the case was remanded for further …

Read moreSami v. Guardian – Florida Shipping Supervisor Wins ERISA Remand After Guardian Failed to Provide Full and Fair Review
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Guardian

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

June 27, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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) …

Read moreHow Insurers Misinterpret Medical Evidence to Deny Long-Term Disability Claims
Category: Medical Eligibility for Long-Term Disability Claims

How to Get a Supportive Medical Statement for Your Disability Claim

June 20, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When you’re filing a disability claim for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Long-Term Disability (LTD) a supportive statement from your treating physician can make all the difference. But what happens if your doctor is reluctant to get involved? It’s a common hurdle, and one that can often be overcome with the right approach and the …

Read moreHow to Get a Supportive Medical Statement for Your Disability Claim
Category: Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability

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

June 18, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreStroke Survivor Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Wrongful Denial by New York Life
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: New York Life, Our Results

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

June 16, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

If you’re receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits from Unum, you may eventually receive a buyout offer, which is 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 …

Read moreShould You Accept a Buyout Offer from Unum on Your Long-Term Disability Claim?
Category: Additional Parts Of A Claim That Do Not Happen in Every Case, Long-Term Disability
Tags: Unum

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

June 13, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreCase Study: How We Helped a Digital Coach Secure Long-Term Disability Benefits After a Denial by Sedgwick
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Lincoln, Our Results, Sedgwick

Understanding Sun Life’s Independent Physician Reviews

June 11, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreUnderstanding Sun Life’s Independent Physician Reviews
Category: Additional Parts Of A Claim That Do Not Happen in Every Case, Long-Term Disability, Medical Eligibility for Long-Term Disability Claims
Tags: Sun Life
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Recent Posts

  • Challenging a Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Denial: Understanding Independent Physician Reviews
  • Will Volunteering Affect My Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim?
  • SSA Adds 13 New Conditions to Compassionate Allowances List in 2025
  • Wessberg v. Unum – Minnesota Attorney Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
  • When Disability Insurers Deny Long COVID Claims Due to Mental Health Limitations and Objective Evidence Requirements

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