Michigan Long-Term Disability Insurance Lawyer

Our Michigan long-term disability insurance (LTD) benefits lawyer file lawsuits against insurance companies that deny claims.

We handle both individual policies and employer group-based disability insurance policies.

However, we may determine your case would be better suited by an attorney outside of The Buckfire Law Firm that specializes in your case type. If so, our team will let you know and will be happy to make the referral directly for you if you wish. Our goal is to make sure you get the best legal representation for your specific needs.

Insurance companies frequently deny legitimate claims. They simply want to frustrate you and hope you will go away.

If you were denied insurance benefit payments, call us now. We take action to get those benefits paid.

What is Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Largest long-Term Disability Insurance Companies
Common Permanently Disability Medical Conditions
How to File Your Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim

What is Long-Term Disability Insurance?

Long-term disability insurance (LTD) is an insurance policy to protect a person from a loss of income in the event of a disabling illness or injury. Unlike short-term disability benefits, LTD insurance pays when the disability lasts for a long period of time.

Many people buy these policies on their own. Others receive this disability insurance as a job benefit. Your rights and obligations to pursue a disability denial can depend on who pays the premium.

The Largest Long-Term Disability Insurance Companies

There are many companies that write LTD policies. The largest in the U.S. are:

Cigna
Unum
Guardian
MetLife
The Hartford
Principal Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group
Prudential
Reliance Standard
Liberty Mutual
The Standard
Mutual of Omaha

Common Permanently Disabling Medical Conditions

Any permanent medical condition can qualify you for long-term disability insurance benefits.

The most common are:

Long term cancer;
Cardiovascular and other heart conditions;
Strokes and brain injuries;
Natural and acquired diseases;
Nervous system disorders;
Severe back and neck conditions;
Joint disorders;
Mental health disorders, like psychosis, anxiety and PTSD;
Injuries from an accident.

How to File your LTD Claim

If you expect a lengthy period of disability, you should file a claim for benefits.

It is smart to have your treating physician document your patient chart in detail regarding your condition.

The doctor should also specify why the condition is disabling and an expected return to work date. If you are permanently disabled from working, it should be noted in your medical records.

These are steps that you should take in filing your claim:

Review the policy. The language will detail the procedures for filing a claim. For example, it may provide a required waiting or elimination period before you can file for benefits.
File the claim with your insurance company. You will need to provide a job description, wage information, and medical information. The insurer may request pay stubs, tax records, and a disability script from your doctor.
Wait out the elimination period to see if you will be paid. If you receive a denial during or after that period, you should contact a lawyer immediately.

Who Should I do if my Long-Term Disability Claim is Denied?

There are very strict requirements for appealing a denial of your claim. These include time deadlines and other restrictions.

For most denials, it is smart to hire an experienced LTD attorney as soon as possible. Quite often, it is necessary to document your medical chart before a lawsuit is filed.

If your company provided a group disability policy for its employees (ERISA), there are even more special rules that must be followed. ERISA laws were designed to favor the insurance companies and make these cases difficult to win.

You need a long-term disability insurance lawyer familiar with the complex procedural requirements imposed by ERISA laws. It is essential to implement the strategies necessary to win your case.

Once your claim is submitted and denied, you should be aware of strict time deadlines for filing your appeal. If you fail to meet these deadlines, your claims may be ruined forever.

Keys to Winning Your Case

The key to winning your case is to submit the proper evidence supporting your case before the record is closed. The record is “closed” once all documentation is submitted for consideration.

Once the record is closed, it cannot be re-opened to submit more evidence. If you have not submitted the best supporting evidence, you could lose your case even if you are completely disabled.

An experienced lawyer will help you complete the record to give you the best chance of winning your appeal. You may unknowingly ruin your own case.

Filing a Lawsuit for Your Unpaid Claims

It will likely be necessary to file a lawsuit against the insurance company for your unpaid claims. The insurance company will likely argue that you do not meet the policy terms to receive benefits.

Common reasons for denying your long-term disability claims include that you are not disabled or the disability is not permanent.

The insurance company will like to submit a report from its hired gun doctor as an attempt to convince the judge you are not entitled to disability payments.

The trial judge will review your record to determine if you were wrongly denied benefits. If the judge agrees with you, a judgment ordering the insurer to pay your benefits is issued.

How Much do Lawyers Charge for LTD Cases?

Our law firm will represent you in long-term disability cases under our no-fee promise. This means that you will not be charged any legal fees whatsoever unless we obtain a settlement for you.

You have absolutely no obligation unless we win your case. If you do not win, you owe us nothing.