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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.
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 …
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville DivisionInsurance Carrier: Unum Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Vanderbilt University Medical CenterClaimant’s Occupation: Nurse Practitioner and Instructor Disclaimer: Please note that this claim was not handled by the Ortiz Law …
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 …
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: …
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 …
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 one …
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 …
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) …
When you’re filing a disability claim—whether 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 …
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 …
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? …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Yvette Eggleston, a nurse from Florida, lost her long-term disability appeal against Unum after the insurer terminated her benefits based on social media activity and a reassessment of her chronic pain conditions. Despite support from multiple treating doctors and a functional capacity evaluation showing she couldn’t sit or stand for long periods, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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? …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …