When Should I Call For Help?
Call us first. You may think that you can handle your appeal yourself, but you definitely need an attorney at the earliest possible time to help you with your disability case. You should consult with an attorney experienced in ERISA disability claims as soon as you file a claim. Too often we are contacted by people who have filed claims and exhausted their administrative appeal rights. If you must later file suit, a court may only review what is in the insurance company’s file. In EVERY case we have in which the client has applied for benefits and done the appeal himself, the record that the court will review lacks important information and documents that could have been provided. Remember, the insurance company KNOWS that your review in court is limited. Do you think the insurance company is going to fill the record with information favorable to you? We have never seen that happen.
Your attorney should be experienced in litigating disability income insurance claims and, if your insurance is through your employer, that attorney should understand how ERISA impacts the case. Ask the right questions. Attorneys should not dabble in ERISA.
If you have been denied long-term disability benefits, we can review that denial letter for you and suggest how you should respond. We have a variety of fee arrangements available. We want you to know your rights and understand the insurance company’s tactics. If you, or anyone you know has questions about claims against their insurance company, contact us for a free telephone consultation at (513) 891-8777.