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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.
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 …
A Minnesota trial attorney diagnosed with multiple myeloma, sued Unum after the insurer wrongfully terminated his long-term disability benefits. Despite medical records and expert testimony confirming that Hardy’s cancer-related symptoms prevented him from working full-time, Unum relied on file reviews by non-examining physicians to justify the …
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 …
Jason Seneca, an IT Administrator from Louisiana, filed suit after MetLife terminated his LTD benefits based on a shift to the policy’s stricter “any occupation” definition of disability. Despite support from a treating neurologist, the court upheld MetLife’s decision, finding that medical records in 2019–2020 supported functional ability and that …
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we understand how devastating it can be when a disability insurance company unfairly denies your claim for benefits. Recently, we had the privilege of helping a brilliant lead research scientist who was struggling with Lance-Adams Syndrome. This condition caused debilitating tremors, ataxia, and startle-induced myoclonus, …
Some hearings require more effort than others, and today’s hearing before an Administrative Law Judge was one of them. It was a case where I really had to work as the claimant’s attorney to help him win the claim, but the effort paid off. The Challenge: A Medical Expert Who “Missed” Key Evidence The hearing …
A California physician filed an ERISA lawsuit after Sun Life denied his long-term disability claim for chronic fatigue syndrome. Despite multiple medical diagnoses supporting his condition, the insurer cited psychiatric history and lack of conclusive evidence. The court stayed the case and remanded it for further review, ordering a neuropsychiatric …
When filing a long-term disability (LTD) appeal, many people ask: “How long will it take?” Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends.” There are two main phases to the appeal timeline: We’ll break down what happens in each phase—and why the entire process can take several months or more. Phase 1: Preparing the Appeal Under ERISA, …
When appealing a long-term disability (LTD) claim denial with New York Life, the employee reviewing your LTD claim may not be a medical professional, but they will likely consult with one. New York Life (NYL) will often ask an independent physician to re-evaluate a claimant’s medical condition and determine if it is consistent with the …
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms that persist or develop long after the acute COVID-19 illness. Estimates suggest that between 5% and 30% of COVID-19 survivors develop long COVID, representing tens of millions of people worldwide. Now, clear patterns are emerging …
When appealing a long-term disability (LTD) claim denial with Lincoln Financial Group, claimants often encounter an independent physician review. Lincoln, like many other insurance companies, uses these independent reviews to re-evaluate a claimant’s medical condition and determine if it is consistent with the reported functional limitations. Here, …
On April 1, 2024, The Standard announced the completion of its acquisition of the Life & Disability business of Elevance Health. Elevance Health is the parent company of Anthem. This move marks a significant expansion of The Standard’s presence in the employee benefits marketplace, particularly in the areas of life and disability …
Preparing for a psychological exam required by the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be stressful, but knowing what to expect can make a big difference in how you handle the process. Psychological consultative exams are often requested when the SSA doesn’t have enough information to determine the impact of mental health on your ability to …
In King v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, the insurer failed to issue a timely decision or seek an extension within the 45-day deadline for reviewing Megan King’s appeal of her terminated long-term physical disability benefits. Under the Department of Labor’s regulations, this failure allowed King to consider her claim “exhausted” and …
Working at Google offers many rewards, but it also comes with high expectations and unique challenges. Google employees are expected to be innovative, adaptable, and consistently deliver top results in a fast-paced environment. Whether you’re a software engineer, a project manager, or part of Google’s extensive support teams, these …
We recently had the privilege of representing a former claims adjuster for an insurance company who faced an overwhelming array of health issues. Her life was deeply affected by chronic severe pain and a series of debilitating conditions, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and complications following breast cancer, among others. Lincoln …
Cheryl Watson, a licensed clinical social worker and research coordinator at the Hektoen Institute, faced an uphill battle to secure long-term disability benefits. After years of enduring fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, and other symptoms, Watson stopped working in March 2013. Diagnosed with conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue …
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we recently had the honor of helping a dedicated Account Executive for UnitedHealth Group who was wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits by The Hartford. Our client had been unable to work for several years, due to numerous debilitating conditions, including ongoing pain from bilateral hip replacements, …
I recently had the privilege of representing a 53-year-old client who previously worked as a production meat packer at HEB, Inc. She faced many serious health challenges that made it impossible for her to continue working. Her medical conditions included kidney failure, chronic pain in multiple joints, neuropathy in both arms and legs, …
When filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, many individuals may assume they need to hire an attorney who is physically located near them. However, in today’s digital age, this is no longer necessary. One of the most significant changes in the Social Security Disability claims process is the shift toward telephone hearings with …
Lori Olah, a clinical research associate, was initially approved for long-term disability benefits following spinal surgery. However, Unum terminated her benefits less than a year later, citing medical reviews that claimed she could perform sedentary work. Despite Olah’s appeal and supporting evidence from her treating physician, the court upheld …
When a disability insurance company ignores your long-term disability (LTD) appeal, it can be both frustrating and legally problematic. The appeals process is designed to give claimants a fair chance to challenge a denial, and insurance companies are legally obligated to respond to these appeals in a timely manner under most LTD policies and …
When Guardian Life abruptly terminated one of our client’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits, we knew we had a fight on our hands. Her case illustrates the importance of challenging insurers who unfairly deny claims based on benefit limitations for mental and nervous conditions—and why having experienced legal representation can make all the …
If you have a disability insurance plan through your church or a religiously affiliated organization, you may be wondering if it’s covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Understanding whether ERISA applies to your plan is important because it can affect how claims are handled, your rights under the plan, and your legal …