Long-Term Disability Lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK

Filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits can be confusing and frustrating — even more so if your initial claim has already been denied. At Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, our team of long-term disability lawyers is dedicated to helping disabled clients fight for the benefits they deserve.

Insurance companies frequently take advantage of those who have never sought LTD benefits. That’s why you need an experienced attorney to protect your rights and advocate on your behalf. We understand that suffering from a disability can completely upend your life. You shouldn’t have to fight with an insurance adjuster while you are trying to focus on recovering and rebuilding your life. Let us handle the details of your claim while you concentrate on other important matters.

Contact us today for a free consultation with an Oklahoma City long-term disability attorney at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons.

How to Apply for Long-Term Disability Benefits

Applying for LTD benefits is a complex process. However, you can set yourself up for success by following these steps:

  • Review your policy— You should determine how your policy defines a disability to ensure your condition meets the criteria. Some policies require policyholders to be fully disabled before awarding benefits. Others only require policyholders to be partially disabled. Review your policy’s time limits to determine how long you must file your claim.
  • Notify your employer— If your employer provides your LTD insurance, you must let them know you plan on applying for long-term disability. Depending on your provider, your employer might have to submit a statement to the insurance carrier.
  • Submit your employee statement— Most LTD policies require you to submit an employee statement. You will typically need to disclose basic personal details such as your occupation, place of employment, medical provider’s information, medical details, the reason for your disability, and other types of income or benefits you qualify for.
  • Get your employer’s statement— As a note, your insurance carrier may require a statement from your employer. This statement typically includes information such as your hiring date, wages or salary, your last date on the job, your job title, and the date your insurance coverage became effective.
  • Get a doctor’s statement— Another central element of your application is your physician’s statement. Doctors are typically asked to provide information about your condition. This information includes whether your disability is job-related, any treatments you received and the dates you received them, a rough idea of when you might be able to work again, and an assessment of your capacity to recover physically or with time.
  • Gather and submit supporting documentation— You must submit additional medical records, test results, and any other documentation you believe will strengthen your case.

An experienced attorney can guide you through each step of the LTD application process and ensure that you submit all the necessary evidence and paperwork promptly. It’s helpful to get a lawyer for long-term disability claims involved from the start to help you recover the money you need.

Picture of SSDI Lawyers in Oklahoma

Factors that Determine the Approval of a Long-Term Disability Benefits Application

You could be eligible for LTD benefits if you cannot earn an income due to a long-term disability. Some of the common factors insurance companies use to determine whether an applicant qualifies for benefits include:

  • Whether or not the disability meets the criteria outlined by the insurance policy
  • Other relevant details of the LTD insurance policy
  • Other types of benefits the applicant is eligible to collect, such as workers’ compensation
  • Whether or not the applicant could perform a different job

Don’t panic if you’re unsure whether you qualify for LTD benefits. Our attorneys will review your policy and explain the eligibility requirements in an easy-to-understand way. If you were denied benefits after applying, we can help you appeal the insurance company’s decision.

Talk to a Lawyer now for FREE 800.725.2222SCHEDULE A CALL

Why Long-Term Disability Applications Typically Get Denied or Terminated

Some of the most common reasons insurers deny or terminate LTD benefits include the following:

  • Failure to file by the deadline— Your LTD disability policy likely has a clause that establishes a time frame for submitting your claim to the insurance provider. The insurer might deny your claim if you fail to file it by the deadline. However, our attorneys may be able to help you reverse the denial depending on the reason for the delay.
  • Lack of communication with the insurance provider— Even if your claim was approved and you’re receiving benefits, you will still need to communicate occasionally with the insurance company. The insurance company must be able to assess whether you continue to qualify for benefits. They might want to interview you via phone or ask you to have an occasional medical exam. If you don’t communicate with the insurance company, they could stop your benefit payments.
  • Inadequate evidence of disability— To get disability benefits, you must provide medical evidence supporting your claim. The insurance company needs enough information to determine whether your condition meets the definition of a disability outlined in your policy. It’s vital to inform your provider about the length, consistency, and severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
  • Lack of objective evidence of disability— Certain conditions are challenging to confirm via traditional tests. While an imaging test could verify a spinal cord injury, disabling conditions such as fibromyalgia and mental illness can be difficult to prove through objective evidence. Insurance companies can use a lack of concrete evidence to justify denying your claim. However, there are numerous ways to challenge this type of denial.
  • Failure to attend an independent medical exam— Most of the time, LTD policies give insurance providers the right to have a claimant examined by a company doctor. Ironically, this is an independent medical examination (IME). The exam evaluates whether you are genuinely disabled and entitled to benefits. If you don’t attend your IME, the insurance company could deny or terminate your benefits.
  • .Failure to seek reasonable treatment— You must comply if your policy requires you to submit to affordable, traditional medical treatments to receive benefits. Otherwise, your benefits could be denied or terminated

Having your LTD claim denied can be crushing. But it is not necessarily the end of the road. Unfortunately, it is common for LTD insurance providers to deny legitimate claims. Whatever you do, don’t give up. You could still be eligible for benefits. Our attorneys will do everything we can to help you appeal the denial and pursue the benefits you must provide for yourself and your family.

Contact our law office in Oklahoma City now

What Can a Long-Term Disability Attorney Do for Me?

The long-term disability lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can counsel and support you through each stage of the claims process. During your initial consultation, we will thoroughly review your policy and determine how it defines a disability. We will then decide whether your condition qualifies under the policy terms. If it does, we will advise you on the types of evidence needed to prove your claim.

During the application process, our lawyers will verify that your claim includes all of the medical records and documentation you need to prove your disability to the insurance company. We will also cooperate with your doctors to secure supportive opinions about your inability to work.

Throughout the entire process, we will act as your advocates by:

  • Handling all communications with the LTD insurance provider
  • Compiling and submitting your initial application before the deadline
  • Attempting to negotiate a fair settlement
  • Filing a lawsuit, if necessary, to demand the benefits you’re entitled to

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) may apply to your claim if you obtain LTD coverage through your employer. ERISA regulates how LTD claims are processed, dictates the timeline for processing a claim, and specifies your rights if your claim is rejected. The complexity of this law makes it difficult for claimants to navigate disability claims independently. Therefore, a knowledgeable LTD lawyer to help you understand the particular rules and deadlines that apply to your ERISA-governed claim can be highly beneficial.

Talk to a Lawyer now for FREE

When Should I Hire a Long-Term Disability Attorney?

GLOVE BOX GUIDE

What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Accident

get your FREE guide
What to do after a car accident guide by Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons

Talk to a Lawyer now for FREE 800.725.2222SCHEDULE A CALL