The popularity of social media has been a gift to insurance companies. Now, they can gather enough detail to deny your disability claim in just ten minutes of scrolling instead of a week or more of surveillance. Even one innocuous social media post can be ammunition...
Class-action lawsuit filed against Cigna for violating ERISA law
In the latest reminder that you should pursue questionably large medical bills, a group of patients and doctors have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Cigna, alleging underpayments of patient claims. The suit, led by the Litigation Center of the American...
Improving your chances of a victorious ERISA appeal
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...
Can an insurance company conduct surveillance on you?
It's understandable to think that insurance companies sending people to follow you while considering your ERISA claim only happens on TV dramas. In fact, it is surprisingly common. What kind of surveillance can they do? With today’s technology, surveilling people is...
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...
Frequently asked questions about ERISA disability claims
The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is in place to protect employees’ rights to receive disability benefits from private employers when they need them the most. But long-term disability claims are consistently denied by insurers for several...
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...