Long Term Disability Attorneys
If you’re applying for a disability claim, through a private disability policy or through your employer sponsored disability insurance company, you can expect to receive some resistance. Private disability insurance companies in particular are in business to make money, and as such they try to avoid paying out on as many claims as possible, which often means looking for any reason to deny a claim. However, if you and your physician thoroughly document your condition, you’ll give yourself a much better chance of having your claim accepted or, be able to successfully appeal in the event it is denied in the first place. Here are five ways in which you can thoroughly document your condition and use it to benefit your claim.
Medical Records
If an insurance company doesn’t know how your condition is affecting you, they’re probably going to deny your claim. So, the first evidence you should acquire is a copy of your medical records, starting from the very first time you saw a professional about your symptoms. Doctor’s visits, check-ups, prescription lists, tests, assigned treatments, specialist visits, and more are all valuable information to have, particularly because they’ll show how severe your condition is.
Physician’s Opinions
When it comes to your health, the best resource for information beyond your own experience is that of your primary care physician. Who else knows your condition better than someone whose job it has been to track your condition, advise you on treatment, and help you heal? A physician’s opinion and office notes are essential to successfully obtaining disability benefits. The more detailed the physician is about the effects of the condition(s) on your ability to function, the better.
Medication History
Treatments can also include taking medication, and your medication history is also of interest to both yourself and to your insurance company. Before awarding a long-term disability claim, insurance companies often want to know that you’ve tried every reasonable option available to you to resolve your condition, and this includes what medications you’ve taken. What medications you’ve taken and for how long can also show the severity of your disability, especially if the amount of medication you’ve taken has led to little improvement in your condition.
Employer & Colleague Testimony
Disability often means losing the ability to work in a gainful capacity, and in this regard your employer or co-workers may actually prove to be a valuable resource. Someone who you work closely with will be able to discuss and demonstrate how your ability to work in your position has been impacted or hindered due to your condition(s), and therefore support your claim that you should be granted disability benefits. The more evidence you have to support your inability to work, the more likely it is your claim will be accepted.
Attorney’s Assistance
If your claim is denied, attorneys who specialize in this type of law can be vital in successfully appealing the denial. While you know your condition(s) and how it impacts your life better than anyone else, Robert Rosati, an ERISA attorney, knows the ins and outs of ERISA law and how to meaningfully apply to your specific situation. He knows how to use the insurance company’s actions against it to strengthen an appeal for the denial of your long term disability benefits.