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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.
This is a continuation from Long-Term Disability Policy Provisions – Part I. Long-Term Disability Insurance – The “Maximum Benefit Period” Almost all long-term disability policies stop paying benefits when you turn 65 years old, or when you reach the federal retirement age. This is often referred to as the “maximum benefit period.” Your policy …
Your long-term disability (LTD) insurance policy probably reads like most insurance policies, meaning that it is long, confusing and full of industry-specific terms of art that you will most likely have a hard time understanding unless you are a lawyer or insurance professional. In this article, I will explain some of the most important provisions …
A question we often hear is “Can I file for disability if I have a pending Jones Act Maritime Injury Case?” The short answer is – yes, you can apply for disability benefits while your Jones Act case is ongoing. Offshore workers can apply for disability benefits while a Jones Act claim is pending. Applying …
If you’re looking into long-term disability or individual disability insurance, you may have come across the term “elimination period.” This is an important concept to understand as it can affect when you will receive benefits if you become disabled. In this article, we will explain what the elimination period in a long-term …
You should not assume that the insurance carrier will continue to pay benefits indefinitely once your long-term disability claim is approved. Your disability insurance policy may state that benefits are payable until you reach retirement age. However, it does not guarantee that you will automatically continue to be eligible to receive benefits …
If you’re unable to work due to a disabling condition, you may be eligible for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. However, obtaining these benefits is often a complex and challenging process. One of the key factors that can affect your chances of getting approved for long-term disability benefits is the medical evidence that you submit with …
If you’re applying for long-term disability insurance, you may be required to apply for Social Security disability benefits along with your LTD claim. You may even be offered the services of companies like Allsup and Advantage 2000 to assist with your claim. However, as a knowledgeable ERISA long-term disability and Social Security disability …
When applying for disability insurance benefits, one crucial requirement is having medical evidence to support your claim. Your doctor may need to complete specific paperwork to support your claim, such as an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) or Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form. These forms detail your diagnoses, treatment, and any …
Not being able to earn an income can be scary. If you or a loved one cannot work due to an injury or medical condition, you have likely filed, or will soon be filing, an application for long-term disability insurance benefits. It is essential to know that your disability insurance company has certain obligations when …
According to the CDC, about 61 million adults in the United States have a disability. That means 1 in 4 adults have some disability, whether back problems, autoimmune disorders, heart diseases, vision impairment, or one of many other disabling medical conditions. Living with a disabling condition is tough enough on its own, but one of …
When applying for long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits, you must know that disability insurance companies deny many claims. Even if your disability insurance claim is initially approved, you need to know that your insurance company can terminate or cut off your benefits. If the insurance company decides you are no longer disabled, they can …
If you are a school board employee, you are likely covered by your county’s short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan. Disability insurance coverage is available to most individuals employed by public schools, such as teachers and janitorial staff, although certain requirements (such as working a certain number …
The gut-wrenching sound of a knee injury is a familiar sound for athletes. You may have witnessed a knee injury watching a professional basketball game. Knee injuries account for 50% of all injuries in athletes. But knee injuries don’t just happen under the lights in a large stadium. Knee injuries and pain are common in …
Your functional limitations are the most critical evidence for your long-term disability claim. Your insurance company is interested in how your disability affects your ability to work. The insurance claim examiner (and a judge if your claim goes to court) will look for you to provide detailed doctor’s notes on activity limitations. This …
You can still have a life that involves traveling when you have a long-term disability. The disability insurance companies may not like it, but being on long-term disability doesn’t mean you are on house arrest. Traveling can be a little more complicated when receiving disability payments, but it is doable with additional planning. The Do’s of …
The use of drones as a new way to gather information and decrease the costs of long-term disability insurance claim investigations is on the rise. Why Do Insurance Companies Use Drones to Spy? Insurance companies have the duty of investigating disability insurance claims. Most insurance claims are legitimate claims filed by truly disabled …
After you have exhausted your short-term disability benefits (usually a requirement), you can apply for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Knowing how the process will work before you apply is helpful. In this article, we walk you through the long-term disability process from application to award. Applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits Step …
Facing a Long-Term Disability Denial? Here’s How to Fight Back If your long-term disability (LTD) benefits have been denied, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face the appeal process by yourself. Insurance companies deny legitimate claims all the time, but you have the right to appeal and fight for the benefits you deserve. In …
Question: “My job is saying I must resign since I am filing for long-term disability and do not plan to return to work. Should I consider resigning due to a disability?” The simple answer is most likely “no.” In fact, if you resign, you will lose your long-term disability benefits altogether. Except for very few …
When you file a long-term disability claim, it is common for the insurance investigator to call you and ask casual questions about your health and daily life. Next, they will say, "We want to send someone to your home to meet with you to discuss your claim." This is called a field interview.
Note: This form is also known as an Attending Physician Statement (APS) or a Medical Source Statement (MSS). We will use these terms interchangeably throughout the rest of this article. What Is A Residual Functional Capacity Assessment? A residual functional capacity assessment evaluates your impairment(s) and any related symptoms, such as pain, …
In a perfect world, anyone who suffers from a physical or emotional disability would have the resources to seek treatment and provide for themselves without supplemental income. But since we live in the real world, many people struggle to make ends meet during a period of disability. Long-term disability insurance is supposed to provide …
The Definition of Disability One of the most important things to know is how disability is defined in your policy. Whether you have an employer-provided group policy or an individual policy, there are significant differences in the definitions of disability. Understanding these differences is crucial for filing successful long-term disability …
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 …