Shoulder Pain and Disability Insurance: A Claimant’s Guide
Nov 17, 2020 | Blog | ShareShoulder pain is incredibly common: about 18–26% of all adults will experience it in their lifetime. While some of us will recover relatively quickly, many people with shoulder problems experience chronic, disabling symptoms. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people with shoulder pain and dysfunction receive the disability insurance benefits they deserve. In this article, we explain the essentials of a disability insurance claim involving shoulder pain. What Causes Shoulder Pain? Your shoulder is one of the most complex joints in your body. Thanks to the shoulder’s robust structure and wide range of motion, you’re able to lift, push, pull, […]
Disability insurance companies frequently use video surveillance and other tactics, hoping to prove you’re exaggerating your symptoms. While no one likes the feeling of being watched, most surveillance is harmless. In this article, the experienced disability insurance lawyers at Bryant Legal Group outline common surveillance tactics and suggest ways you can protect your privacy and preserve your credibility. Why Do Disability Insurers Use Surveillance? When you file a claim for short-term or long-term disability benefits, your credibility is essential. Many disabling conditions, like chronic pain, fatigue, and depression, have a subjective component: you can’t prove someone’s level of anxiety using […]
What Are the Pros and Cons of Short-Term Disability?
Nov 3, 2020 | Blog | ShareAt Bryant Legal Group, we know how short-term disability benefits can provide much-needed peace of mind and financial security while you deal with a disabling illness, injury, or chronic condition. However, short-term disability insurance policies have their imperfections too. If you don’t understand your plan’s shortcomings from the beginning, you may have unpleasant surprises later on. Here, Bryant Legal Group’s team of respected short-term disability lawyers outlines the power and challenges of short-term disability coverage. Pro: Short-Term Disability Provides Monthly Income When You’re Ill or Injured Whether you have a self-funded or employer-sponsored short-term disability plan, the goal is the […]
Long-Term Disability for Nurses: Get the Benefits You Deserve
Oct 28, 2020 | Blog | ShareNurses and other healthcare professionals spend their days focused on other people’s health and wellness. However, when healthcare workers find themselves unable to work due to their own chronic health conditions, illnesses, or injuries, they often find themselves in unfamiliar territory, navigating the medical and disability insurance systems as a claimant and patient. It’s a lot to handle, but you don’t have to do it alone. Bryant Legal Group has served Illinois’ nursing and medical professionals for decades, helping them get the long-term disability (LTD) benefits they deserve. In this article, we outline key issues that every nurse should know […]
How to Apply for Disability Insurance: A Professional’s Guide
Oct 21, 2020 | Blog | ShareAt Bryant Legal Group, we get a lot of phone calls from high-income professionals, including doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, who need to file a long-term disability insurance claim. Many of these professionals are struggling with their decision to file. They’ve invested a lot of time and effort into building their practices, only to find that their health is suddenly making their life’s work impossible. In this article, our experienced lawyers explain how to apply for disability insurance. Keep reading to learn more about the application process, disability laws that may impact your claim, and ways you can improve your chances […]
Should I Take UNUM’s Disability Claims Settlement?
Oct 19, 2020 | Blog | ShareUNUM doesn’t want to pay out your long-term disability (LTD) benefits. UNUM is a for-profit company that’s much more interested in its shareholders’ happiness and profitability than your welfare. However, the company frequently offers disability claims settlements (sometimes called buyouts) to insureds. What gives? At Bryant Legal Group, we’ve made a career out of standing up to UNUM, and we’re very familiar with their tactics. Here, we explain why you should accept a UNUM buyout and when you should fight back. What Happens When You Settle a Long-Term Disability Claim With UNUM? A settlement ends your long-term disability claim. In […]
Can I Get Short-Term Disability for Alcohol Addiction and Substance Use?
Oct 15, 2020 | Blog | ShareSubstance use affects every social, economic, and demographic group. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 19.7 million people (aged 12 and above) struggle with some form of substance use, including addictions to alcohol, opioids, prescription medications, and illicit drugs. When substance abuse limits or eliminates your ability to work, many professionals turn to their short-term disability and long-term disability policies for help. However, these people often find themselves battling their insurance company rather than focusing on their recovery. In this article, Bryant Legal Group’s disability professionals explain how you can get the help you need. […]
4 Things Doctors Need to Know About Provider-Payer Disputes
Oct 6, 2020 | Blog | ShareOur healthcare environment becomes more complex every year. While your organization may feel comfortable handling some provider-payer issues in-house, many medical groups are discovering that the insurance companies and other payers are becoming more aggressive with cost-cutting tactics. Whether payers are reducing your payments under a “value-based care” model or disputing the necessity of care, you need an advocate who understands these complex disputes and your legal rights. At Bryant Legal Group, we help physicians and healthcare providers throughout Illinois with their provider-payer disputes. Here are some of the essentials that every healthcare professional needs to know. 1. Provider-Payer Disputes […]
Reporting Changed Circumstances to the LTD Company: When Is It a Good Idea?
Sep 29, 2020 | Blog | ShareIf you’re receiving long-term disability benefits, you may find yourself in a confusing situation. It’s not uncommon for disabled people’s conditions to improve (or ebb and flow). However, the disability insurance company may argue that you’re no longer eligible for monthly benefit payments based on your improved circumstances. What are you supposed to do? Disabled individuals typically must take steps to improve their condition. However, when you start gaining function, your LTD insurer may start scheduling medical examinations and asking tough questions. In this blog, our experienced disability insurance lawyers explain how you should handle this situation and what you […]
Long-Term Disability vs. Social Security: What’s the Difference?
Sep 22, 2020 | Blog | ShareWhen you’re unable to work due to a serious injury, illness, or chronic condition, you’ll get a lot of advice. “File for disability” is a common suggestion that doctors, colleagues, and loved ones may offer. But, you’ll quickly find that “disability benefits” come in various forms. Should you file claims with your private or group disability insurance plan or the Social Security Administration? Sometimes, the answer is “file both.” However, Social Security and disability insurance claims are very different, and you need to understand what each type involves. In this article, the experienced disability lawyers at Bryant Legal Group explain the differences between long-term disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. Please note that Bryant […]