Dentists and Long-Term Disability
Dentists, orthodontists, endodontists, and other dental professionals often purchase long-term disability (LTD) insurance as a safety net. Many of these providers have built thriving businesses, and they know that an unexpected illness, injury, or disability can endanger everything they’ve worked for. However, you may be surprised to discover that dentists, like many other professionals, have a hard …
UNUM Field Visits: How to Protect Your Privacy and LTD Claim
“It’s easier if we talk this over face-to-face,” says your UNUM claims adjuster. “We’ll drive to your home to go over the paperwork.” They suggest an in-person meeting. Unfortunately, UNUM’s field visits aren’t always designed for your benefit. Like many long-term disability insurance companies, UNUM uses these interviews as an opportunity to investigate claimants, and at times, …
What Is ERISA? We Answer Your Long-Term Disability Insurance Questions
It can be hard to find reliable, understandable information about disability insurance law. Online search engines often confuse disability insurance and Social Security, which can lead to confusion and bad advice. At Bryant Legal Group, we focus our practice on disability insurance claims, handling both ERISA and private insurance issues. In this blog, we answer …
How to Prove Long-Term Disability in an ERISA Claim
Before an insurance adjuster approves your disability insurance claim, they will investigate and look for reasons to deny or limit your benefits. You need to anticipate this investigation, which is why a successful long-term or short-term disability application includes more than your completed forms. A strong LTD claim also contains detailed evidence that documents your …
Can I Get Long-Term Disability Due to Coronavirus?
As of April 12, 2020, there have been more than 20,800 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois, with over 8,500 of those cases occurring in Chicago. Thankfully, in our state, only 3% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have died from the disease or complications. However, many survivors continue to face ongoing health issues related to the disease. We’re learning …
Is Someone Watching Me? LTD Claims and Surveillance
During a long-term disability (LTD) claim, it’s common to feel like you’re under intense scrutiny. The insurance company may ask you the same questions a dozen different ways. It may send you to a medical exam. The adjuster may even ask to visit you at home. However, the insurer may be going even further: you …
Top Reasons Why UNUM Denied Your LTD Claim
If you received a long-term disability denial (LTD) from UNUM, you’re not alone. Considered by many ERISA lawyers as the worst LTD insurer, UNUM sometimes uses aggressive and unfair tactics to reduce the number of disability insurance claims they pay out. The Bryant Legal Group team has been fighting UNUM for decades, and we understand how they approach their …
Why Vocational Experts Can Make a Difference in LTD Claims
During a long-term disability (LTD) claim, your medical records and history get a lot of attention. Your lawyer and the insurance company will pore over every diagnosis, test, and recommendation in your files. However, there’s more to an LTD claim than medical evidence. Your vocational experience and skills can also dramatically impact your eligibility for LTD …
How Will the Court Review My Long-Term Disability Case?
Unlike some states, Illinois law requires that federal courts apply a de novo standard of review in long-term disability (LTD) claims if the coverage was issued or offered in Illinois. Judges can weigh all the evidence in your claim and do not have to defer to the insurance company’s past decisions. However, that doesn’t mean that your …
Can the Long-Term Disability Insurance Company Take My Social Security Backpay?
If you’re on long-term disability (LTD), your insurance company might encourage you to apply for Social Security disability benefits. The company may even offer to connect you with a representative who will file your application and appeals. However, the insurance company isn’t doing this out of kindness — the company wants to reduce your LTD benefits and …