Many insurance companies improperly deny long-term disability claims. If this happens to you, you need to go through the appeals process and, in some cases, ultimately pursue a claim in court to get the benefits you need.
When you receive your denial, you may be wondering if you need an attorney to help. While you are not required by law to have a lawyer, you will likely want to get one because the stakes are too high, and you could end up jeopardizing your right to benefits without one.
The good news is, there are compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys out there who are ready to fight for you. Julie A. Rice Law has decades of collective experience fighting for those whose insurers improperly denied their claims, and we will bring our extensive knowledge of ERISA laws and other laws protecting policyholders to your case.
Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with an Atlanta long-term disability denial lawyer after your insurer refused your claim, so we can get to work on your case before deadlines are missed and your denial becomes a permanent one you can’t undo.
Why you need a lawyer to appeal a long-term disability denial
There are many reasons why hiring legal help makes good sense and why it is so important to have an advocate on your side. Here are some of them:
- The law is complicated. If your long-term disability plan is an employee benefit, ERISA should govern your claim. Unfortunately, the process of making an ERISA claim is complicated, as there are specific rules for evidence presentation and internal appeals before you can turn to the federal courts. There are also strict timelines to comply with. Failing to follow these regulations could affect your ability to make a claim.
- There are multiple stages to the appeals process. You’ll typically need to exhaust internal appeals before you can pursue a remedy in court. This can make the process take longer, and there are multiple opportunities for missed deadlines and mistakes that affect your ability to get benefits.
- Insurers have advocates on their side: Insurance companies want to play as little as possible, so they often deny legitimate claims. They have legal professionals advising them, and you need your own advocate to protect you.
- The stakes are high: If you do not pursue your appeal properly, you could lose the chance to get disability benefits. This could leave you without the income you need to support yourself.
These are just some of the many reasons why getting legal help pays when you have a long-term disability claim that is denied. You or your employer have been paying premiums for your policy, and you both need and deserve the benefits that the policy is supposed to offer.
Getting help from a long-term disability lawyer
Choosing the right long-term disability lawyer is critical, especially as many attorneys are not familiar with ERISA claims and are not comfortable handling cases in federal court, where these claims often must be resolved.
Julie A. Rice Law has extensive experience representing clients who are covered by ERISA, as well as those with individual long-term disability policies. We know the law inside and out, we have a long track record of getting claims approved, and we will bring the knowledge and compassion to your claim that you deserve. Give us a call today to learn more.