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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.
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? …
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 …
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? …
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 …
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 …
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 …
When navigating the complexities of severance packages and long-term disability insurance benefit claims, individuals often face many challenging decisions and uncertainties. Particularly – what happens when you’re presented with a severance offer while simultaneously pursuing a long-term disability insurance claim? If you sign the …
It is not uncommon for a disability insurance company to order a peer review during the long-term disability appeal process. If your insurer has requested a peer review report, you may have received a letter that states something like: “We are writing to update you of the status of your appeal request for the above …
According to the Mental Health Foundation, nearly one in three people with a long-term physical condition also has a mental condition. Claimants with both mental and physical conditions may be concerned that their insurance company will apply a mental and nervous limitation to their long-term disability insurance claim. A mental health limitation …
Living abroad can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking if you’re relying on long-term disability insurance benefits to provide you with income. Fortunately, if you have an individual or group long-term disability insurance policy, you may still be able to collect benefits while living outside of the United States. …
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 …
Long-term disability insurance companies are well-known for hiring third-party investigators to put claimants under surveillance. They spend millions of dollars on surveillance to save billions in long-term disability claims. They want to “catch” you doing something you “shouldn’t,” like taking out the trash or enjoying your grandchild’s …
Social media has become how we share our lives with the world. Long gone are the days of printing and mailing pictures to family and friends. Now, with the click of a button, you can share photos or even live stream videos on social media, which creates a way for families to stay connected even …
In the context of this article, it’s important to distinguish between long-term disability buyout and settlement offers. A buyout offer is extended by the insurance company while you are actively receiving long-term disability benefits. A settlement offer, on the other hand, arises when you have been fully denied these benefits and …
Many claimants ask why the insurance company uses a vocational consultant when reviewing a claim. Isn’t the main issue whether you have a medical disability and you’re medically disabled under the policy? This is a very legitimate question. In this article, we discuss why a vocational assessment from a vocational consultant is a …