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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.
When facing a long-term disability (LTD) denial, it is important to understand the concept of the “burden of proof.” Simply put, this means the responsibility is on you, the claimant, to prove that you are disabled under the terms of your insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know. It’s not the insurance company that …
You’ve been diagnosed with a serious medical condition. You can’t work. You’ve done everything the insurance company asked—filled out forms, submitted medical records, and followed your doctor’s orders. Still, your long-term disability (LTD) claim was denied. It feels like a punch to the gut. And unfortunately, it’s a situation many people face, …
When you’re fighting for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, one of the most important people on your team is your disability lawyer. But it’s not enough for them to know the law. They also need to understand your disabling conditions. That insight makes all the difference in your case. Here are a few key reasons why …
Long-term disability (LTD) benefits can last anywhere from a few years to retirement age, depending on the specific terms of your policy. Understanding how long benefits might continue—and what might cause them to stop—is key to planning for your financial future. Here’s what you should know: Policy Terms Determine Duration Every LTD policy …
Medical evidence is the foundation of any successful long-term disability claim. Whether you’re filing for benefits or appealing a denial, your medical records must tell a clear story about your condition, your treatment, and your ability (or inability) to work. In this post, we’ll walk through the types of medical evidence that matter most and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 it’s …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …