Can You Work Part-Time and Collect Disability Insurance?
Jun 4, 2020 | Blog | ShareFor many people, returning to work after a serious illness or injury, even on a part-time basis, feels like an important milestone. Your role as a working person or professional is probably an essential part of your identity; getting back into the workforce can help you feel like you’re on the path to recovery. Some long-term disability (LTD) plans do allow people to attempt a return to work, but you’ll need to review your policy’s terms and conditions carefully. If you’re not careful, returning to the workforce may lead to termination of your benefits. In this article, the disability insurance […]
Is Lyme Disease a Disability?
Jun 3, 2020 | Blog | ShareLyme disease, like many so-called “invisible” chronic conditions, is often misunderstood. While many people quickly recover from the infection, others struggle with long-term fatigue, muscle aches, and cognitive difficulties. Lyme disease can make working and doing other things you love virtually impossible. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people struggling with Lyme disease and other chronic conditions get the disability insurance benefits they deserve. In this article, our short-term and long-term disability lawyers explain why Lyme disease is on the rise and describe what you can do to strengthen your disability claim. What Is Lyme Disease? Lyme disease is the […]
ERISA Claims and Exhausting Administrative Remedies: What You Need to Know
May 26, 2020 | Blog | ShareBefore you file an ERISA lawsuit, you must follow a very specific process, and a single mistake can have serious consequences. Unfortunately, many disabled people don’t fully understand how ERISA claims work. In this article, our experienced disability insurance lawyers outline the basics of an ERISA claim, how to “exhaust your administrative remedies,” and when you can file a disability insurance lawsuit. What Is the ERISA Claims Process? ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) applies to most employer-funded benefit plans, including long-term and short-term disability policies. Many claimants mistakenly believe that this administrative appeals process will be quick […]
Get Your Short-Term Disability Approved: 5 Ways to Improve Your Application
May 19, 2020 | Blog | ShareIf you’re unable to work due to an injury, illness, or chronic medical condition, you may be eligible for short-term disability benefits. However, applying for disability insurance benefits isn’t as simple a process as you might imagine; it takes precision and a comprehensive legal strategy. Our ERISA lawyers at Bryant Legal Group are here to help. In this article, our attorneys outline five ways you can improve your chances of getting your short-term disability approved. How Does Short-Term Disability Work? Short-term disability insurance is supposed to cover some of your lost income when you’re unable to work due to an […]
Denied Short-Term Disability? Follow This Appeal Checklist
May 15, 2020 | Blog | ShareNo one wants to get a letter from the insurance company that contains a denial of short-term disability benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not a rare occurrence. Many people with legitimate disability insurance claims receive a denial and then have to appeal their insurer’s decision. If you’re thinking about filing an appeal with your short-term disability carrier, you need to have a plan — otherwise, you may make mistakes that reduce or eliminate your benefits. If your short-term disability benefits are employer-funded, a federal law called ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) applies to your claim. This law sets out […]
How to Prove Long-Term Disability in an ERISA Claim
May 12, 2020 | Blog | ShareBefore 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 medical conditions, identifies your limitations, and shows that you meet the policy’s definition of disability. Building this evidentiary record isn’t a simple process. In this article, we explain how you can “stack the record” and prove to the insurance company or the courts that you’re […]
Can I Get Long-Term Disability Due to Coronavirus?
May 8, 2020 | Blog | ShareAs 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 more about the novel coronavirus every day. It’s becoming clear that the virus can damage many of our body’s organs, not just the lungs, and the effects may be permanent. This naturally leads to the question: Can I get long-term disability benefits for coronavirus complications? In this […]
Can Obesity Impact My Disability Insurance Claim?
May 5, 2020 | Blog | ShareOver the past decade, obesity rates have risen dramatically. Unfortunately, being overweight or obese can increase your risk for or worsen many other health conditions, including arthritis and heart disease. This has many disability insurance companies worried: how do they manage their costs as more and more claimants are filing obesity-related short-term and long-term disability claims? Obesity Is Increasingly Common and Can Lead to Disability According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), more than one-third of American adults have a BMI (body mass index) of at least 30, which classifies them as obese. Doctors calculate your BMI based on […]
How Does Short-Term Disability Insurance Work?
Apr 28, 2020 | Blog | ShareWhen you’re unable to work, due to an injury, illness, or chronic medical condition, you may be eligible for short-term disability benefits. Many people think that getting short-term disability is a simple process and are surprised when issues come up that lead to a denial or termination of benefits. If you’re considering applying for short-term disability, you need to be prepared. To give yourself the best chance at getting benefits without an appeal, you need to provide detailed information and substantial evidence. In this article, we’ll outline the essentials of a short-term disability claim. What Is Short-Term Disability Insurance? Short-term […]
What Does “Regular Occupation” Mean in an ERISA Plan?
Apr 16, 2020 | Blog | ShareMany people are surprised to discover that the definition of “disability” can vary drastically depending on the terms and conditions of their long-term disability (LTD) plan. Almost every Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plan defines “disability” as a medically-documented inability to work. Unfortunately, it gets a lot more complex from there. Depending on your LTD plan’s precise definition, you might have to prove that you cannot perform your own occupation, your “regular” occupation, or any occupation. While it’s easy to understand the difference between “own” and “any,” it’s not always clear what the difference is between your “own occupation” […]
