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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 Unum denied or terminated your long-term disability (LTD) claim, an internal medical review (sometimes referred to as an Appeals Physician Written Review) was likely part of that decision. This is Unum’s version of a peer review report, and understanding how it’s structured can help you build a stronger response before your appeal deadline passes. …
Many claimants expect that at some point during a long-term disability (LTD) claim, the insurer will schedule an independent medical examination (IME). When that call never comes, it’s tempting to read it as a good sign, but that is not always the case. Here’s what’s actually happening when an insurer skips the IME. What Does …
Even after a long-term disability (LTD) claim is approved, an insurer can spend months quietly building the file it needs to justify cutting benefits off. Certain patterns in how an insurer communicates and requests information can signal that a claim is heading toward termination, and recognizing them early gives a claimant time to respond before …
Mary Rose Tobin stopped working as an account executive after she woke up with what she called the “worst headache of [her] life,” a pain that never resolved. The court delivered a split decision: it found she could not perform her own demanding occupation, but it agreed with Unum Life Insurance Company of America that …
If your primary care provider is a nurse practitioner, you may be wondering whether their opinion carries the same weight as a physician’s in a long-term disability (LTD) claim. It does not — but there are steps you can take to strengthen a nurse practitioner’s opinion significantly. Why Does the Source of a Medical Opinion …
When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to evaluate your eligibility. Step four of this process is where the Past Relevant Work (PRW) rule comes into play—and it’s a common reason claims are denied. What Is Past Relevant Work? Past Relevant Work refers to any …
Many people assume you do not need a disability attorney until you are preparing for a hearing before an administrative law judge. That assumption is wrong — and it can cost you. Attorney involvement at the earliest stages of a Social Security disability claim can meaningfully increase your chances of winning. What Are the Three …
The Social Security Administration (SSA) added 14 new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list on August 11, 2026, bringing the total number of qualifying conditions to 314. The CAL program fast-tracks disability approvals for people whose diagnoses are severe enough to meet Social Security’s disability standard with minimal medical documentation. For claimants and families …
If you are receiving long-term disability benefits and feeling worn down by constant monitoring, requests for updated records, and ongoing scrutiny, you may have considered asking your insurance company to buy out your remaining benefits. Before you do, there are serious risks you need to understand. What Is an LTD Buyout, and How Does It …
Not all disabilities look the same every day. For people living with dynamic or fluctuating conditions, symptoms can vary in severity over time. One day might bring debilitating fatigue or pain; the next might be relatively manageable. This variability makes it uniquely challenging to secure disability benefits, both through Social Security and private long-term disability …
If you’re unable to work due to a serious illness or injury, understanding your options for disability benefits is a key part of maintaining financial stability. Two common sources of income in this situation are Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). While these programs serve a similar purpose, they work very …
If you are collecting long-term disability (LTD) benefits and thinking about forming an LLC, you need to understand how insurance companies investigate claimants — and why LLC registration can become a problem. This is not a theoretical risk; it has come up in real cases. Why Would an Insurance Company Care If You Form an …
On July 21, 2026, the Social Security Administration announced a group of enhancements to My Social Security accounts that give disability claimants expanded online access to their case status, their hearing notices, and three hearing-level forms. For claimants who have spent months wondering whether anything is happening with their case, the added visibility is welcome. …
Apple is one of the most desirable employers in the world, offering competitive salaries, innovative work environments, and a comprehensive benefits package. Part of that package typically includes long-term disability (LTD) insurance through Lincoln Financial Group — a policy designed to replace a portion of your income if you become too sick or injured to …
Carl Weiss claimed that long COVID left him unable to work and sought both short-term and long-term disability benefits. The District of Vermont ruled against him on every issue, finding that the medical record did not support a disability during the relevant period and that key evidence in his favor was unreliable. Case at a …
Being neurodivergent doesn’t automatically disqualify you from long-term disability (LTD) benefits — but it does make the claims process harder. Insurance companies routinely deny or terminate benefits for conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and sensory processing disorders, often arguing that these are pre-existing, manageable, or not severe enough to prevent work. If your …
A Manager at BAE Systems, Inc. became disabled following a traumatic brain injury that left him with seizures, migraines, and debilitating neurological impairments. Despite more than 1,000 pages of medical records supporting his claim, New York Life denied his long-term disability (LTD) benefits — relying on a paper review riddled with factual errors and selective …
Learn how key ERISA disability laws, including 29 CFR § 2560.503-1, ERISA Section 503, and Section 502(a), protect your right to a fair claim review and your ability to sue for denied benefits.
Having years of medical records feels like a strong foundation for a disability claim—but older documentation alone rarely wins a case. The Social Security Administration cares far more about what your condition looks like right now and whether you have been consistently receiving care throughout. What Medical Records Does the SSA Actually Want to See? …
If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability benefits and received a notice scheduling you for a consultative examination (CE), you may have been surprised to find that the exam doesn’t match your primary condition. Claimants with severe back pain get sent to a mental health evaluator. People whose main struggle is depression or anxiety get …
When a long-term disability (LTD) insurance company gathers new evidence against your claim while reviewing your appeal, you do not have to find out about it in a denial letter. A 2018 Department of Labor rule gives claimants the right to see that evidence first—and to respond to it before the insurer makes its decision. …
If you’re filing a long-term disability (LTD) claim for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another mental health condition, you may have heard that these claims are harder to win than physical ones. The reality is more nuanced — and more hopeful — than that common assumption suggests. The 24-Month Rule You Need to Know Before diving …
When you apply for or receive Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must decide how those benefits will be paid. In some cases, the SSA determines that a beneficiary should not receive payments directly and instead appoints a representative payee. A representative payee is a person or organization chosen by the SSA …
Waiting on a Social Security Disability claim can feel endless — and for good reason. The process is genuinely slow. According to the SSA’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 report, applicants waited an average of 231 days just for their initial determination nationwide. From there, reconsideration typically takes around 2–6 months, and ALJ hearing waits stretch …