What Conditions Automatically Qualify You as Disabled?
Jan 14, 2020 | Blog | ShareIf you’re living with a serious, chronic illness, it’s likely that someone has said, “You have that diagnosis?! You’ll definitely get disability benefits.” While you may appreciate your loved one’s confidence, you may question the accuracy of their statement. Disability insurance companies, like UNUM, Lincoln Financial, and The Hartford, are notorious for denying even legitimate claims for benefits. As a general rule, insurers look for any possible reason to deny, delay, or undervalue disability insurance claims. However, even though it’s rare, some private disability insurance policies automatically qualify people with certain conditions for benefits. This is a significant advantage and can streamline your long-term disability […]
Top Reasons Why UNUM Denied Your LTD Claim
Jan 9, 2020 | Blog | ShareIf 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 claims. In this blog, we explain some of the most common excuses its adjusters use to deny legitimate LTD claims. UNUM Earned Its Reputation Among the Worst Insurers in the U.S. In 2008, the American Association for Justice (AAJ) reported that, in its opinion, UNUM […]
Helpful Disability Claim Tips From Our ERISA Lawyers
Jan 9, 2020 | Blog | ShareFiling for disability insurance benefits can be a difficult decision, especially when you love your profession. However, when you’re unable to work due to an illness, injury, or chronic condition, short and long-term disability benefits can provide financial security and peace of mind. If you’re not sure where to start, Bryant Legal Group wants to help. In this article, we outline several ways you can strengthen your ERISA claims and streamline the application process. Don’t Minimize Your Symptoms When You Talk to a Doctor One of the most important tips is simple: always be honest with your doctors. Your doctor […]
When Should I Take a Disability Insurance Settlement or Buyout?
Dec 23, 2019 | Blog | ShareWhen you’re in the middle of a long-term disability (LTD) or ERISA dispute, the insurance company might offer you a settlement or buyout. While this offer might seem generous (and tempting) at first, you should be cautious. Insurance companies rarely offer a fair settlement in their first offer — and you could lose out on valuable compensation if you accept. In this article, Bryant Legal Group outlines the essentials of disability insurance settlements and when it’s best to accept a lump-sum payment. What Is a Long-Term Disability Settlement or Buyout? When the insurance company approves your LTD claim or a […]
Why Vocational Experts Can Make a Difference in LTD Claims
Dec 17, 2019 | Blog | ShareDuring 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 benefits. That’s why our experienced disability insurance lawyers frequently work with vocational experts. Why Does the LTD Insurance Company Care About My Work and Education? Disability insurance pays benefits when your medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries prevent you from working. There are two primary […]
What Is Health Insurance Bad Faith?
Dec 12, 2019 | Blog | ShareInsurance companies and their insureds do not interact on a level playing field. The balance of power favors big business. However, when these companies unreasonably deny healthcare claims, they can put you in a precarious and vulnerable position. That’s why insurers owe their policyholders a duty of good faith and fair dealing. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people when their health insurers deny legitimate claims, improperly delay benefits, or otherwise act in bad faith. In this article, we outline everything you need to know about health insurance bad faith claims. When Does a Health Insurer Act in Bad Faith? […]
HIV, AIDS, and Disability Insurance: A Claimant’s Guide
Dec 10, 2019 | Blog | ShareIf you’re one of the estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV and AIDS in the United States, you know that medical advances have significantly improved your treatment options and quality of life. However, even “manageable” HIV can seriously limit your ability to work and do the things you love. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people living with AIDS and HIV apply for disability insurance benefits. In this article, we discuss the essentials of HIV-related claims and suggest some simple ways you can strengthen your application for benefits. What Is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus […]
How Will the Court Review My Long-Term Disability Case?
Dec 5, 2019 | Blog | ShareUnlike 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 appeal will be easy. If an insurance company has denied your long-term disability (LTD) benefits in Illinois, you need to understand how the courts will assess your legal and factual arguments. To learn the essentials, keep reading this article. To find out how […]
Common Reasons for Denial of Short-Term Disability Benefits
Dec 3, 2019 | Blog | ShareIf you’ve filed a short-term disability claim, you might feel like the insurance company is giving you the runaround or mishandling your claim — and there’s a good chance you’re right. Insurers are fundamentally incentivized to deny, delay, and otherwise mishandle short-term disability claims so that they don’t have to pay out the benefits you deserve. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people throughout Chicago and Illinois with their short-term disability claims. With decades of collective experience, we’ve seen almost every tactic and strategy that insurance companies use against claimants like you. In this article, we will discuss some of […]
Watch Out for These 4 Tactics in Your Prudential Disability Insurance Claim
Nov 26, 2019 | Blog | SharePreparing your disability insurance claim with Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential) can be complicated, nerve-wracking, and essential to your future. Unfortunately, this process can go very wrong through no fault of your own. That’s because insurance companies like Prudential often use underhanded tactics to delay or deny valid claims. In this blog, we outline four common Prudential tactics to look out for. Prudential Insurance Has a History of Denying Valid Claims Prudential is one of the world’s largest insurance and financial services companies. In 2018 alone, the company earned more than $58 billion in revenue. The company often boasts […]
