The news stunned you. Your employer’s insurance company denied your application for long-term disability benefits. You counted on those payments to help you through this medical condition, allowing you to pay your medical bills and support your family. Now, you must...
What are common ERISA violations?
Many people suffer from a disability or illness that impairs their ability to work. Some of them can take advantage of long-term disability benefits offered by their employer. However, just because a company provides these benefits doesn’t mean the insurance company...
Former NFL player wins ERISA case
Michael Cloud played in the NFL from 1999 to 2006, including one with the 2004 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. While that win is undoubtedly a career highlight, Cloud adds another life-changing win to his resume. This one involves a federal judge in Texas...
Mental health disorders and long-term disability coverage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one out of every four Americans – 82 million - lives with a disability that impacts their life activities. The agency also says one in five currently live with a mental illness, and half of the entire population will...
5 mistakes that jeopardize ERISA disability claims
Long-term illnesses and injuries create tremendous physical and mental anguish for millions of American workers. Financial harm can also result when a person cannot work due to a health condition beyond their control. Many rely on long-term disability to relieve some...
Who and what is covered by ERISA disability protections?
The primary focus of ERISA – the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is regulating retirement plans of private employers. But ERISA protections affect many other employee benefits, including disability insurance plans. Workers should understand that ERISA...
Federal and State LGBTQ Protections Not Sufficient to Prevent Improper Denial of Termination of Benefits
Discrimination in health care impacts health outcomes. Research shows that one quarter of LGBTQ people who faced discrimination postponed or avoided receiving needed medical care for fear of further discrimination. In 2019, the Movement Advancement Project...
What should I do if my disability insurance provider denied my claim?
Insurance is supposed to provide a safety net, a helping hand when we are need. We may get coverage from our employer or with an independent policy but in either case we expect the disability insurance company to actually provide coverage when we have a claim....
Own occupation vs. any occupation in LTD benefit plans
If you are seeking long-term disability (LTD) benefits from an employer-provided plan, you may encounter the terms "own occupation" and "any occupation" in the course of your legal efforts. The meaning of these terms and the specific language in your plan could...
Public Employees And ERISA
ERISA – the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 – regulates most employee group benefits. But there are exceptions. The biggest exception is that public employer plans are not subject to ERISA. So, if you are a public employee, your group benefit plan...