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Atlanta Long Term Disability Lawyer


A 20-year-old worker today has a 25% chance of becoming disabled before their normal retirement age, according to the Social Security Administration. That’s a one in four chance that a serious medical condition will arise that interferes with your ability to work and provide for your loved ones.

Disability insurance can provide a lifeline for those who become disabled. A short-term disability policy should ensure that a temporary but serious medical issue does not destroy your financial security, while a long-term disability policy allows you and those you love to maintain your standard of living even if the worst occurs.

Unfortunately, sometimes long-term disability insurance companies fail to fulfill the promise they made when accepting premiums. Unfair and unlawful denials happen every day, leaving those who are vulnerable and disabled with a serious legal and financial problem on their hands.

If you live in Atlanta, GA, or surrounding areas including Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Rockdale, Fayette, Forsyth, or Clayton counties, Julie Rice Law can help you if your disability insurer denies your claim. Give us a call as soon as possible after you get a denial so we can provide the help and support you need and deserve.

Common reasons for disability insurance denials

Both long-term and short-term disability companies have an obligation to fulfill the policy contract and to act in good faith when processing your claim. Unfortunately, sometimes these insurers fail to do what the law and their contracts require.

Insurance companies are allowed to deny claims, and they may do so as a result of:

  • Inadequate medical evidence
  • A disability that’s not covered by the policy
  • A failure to follow treatment guidelines
  • Your condition is pre-existing

However, insurers cannot use these or other justifications as a pretext for denying a legitimate claim.

Insurers must be reasonable in the medical information they demand, for example, and they can’t just keep asking for more and more documentation in an effort to bury you in paperwork and get you to give up your claim.

Wrongful behavior on the part of disability insurers

Unfortunately, many long-term disability insurers serving clients in the Atlanta metro area fail to fulfill the promises they made to policyholders. Insurers often want to pay as little as possible, so they may engage in dishonest tactics designed to improperly deny your claim or limit the money they pay.

Some common examples of wrongful behavior include:

  • Unreasonable delays in processing or paying your claim
  • Denying a disability claim when your condition should be covered
  • Attempting to pay you less than your policy says you are entitled to
  • Making unreasonable and burdensome requests for evidence that’s already been provided or that is not relevant to your claim
  • Failing to provide you with the required information about why your claim was denied or about your right to appeal

These are just some of the many types of improper behaviors encountered by past clients that Julie Rice Law has represented.

Our firm is focused solely on fighting for the rights of the disabled, so we’ve seen it all when it comes to big-name insurers acting improperly in the Atlanta area. We are not afraid to stand up to these insurers when they engage in these and other dishonest tactics.

The good news is, insurers are much less likely to try to avoid paying your claim when you have a trusted legal advocate fighting for you.

Your rights if your disability claim was denied

If you believe your insurer is treating you unfairly, you have legal rights. The specifics of your rights depend on whether your disability policy was a workplace plan covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or was an individual policy.

In general, however, you will have the right to:

  • Receive a timely decision on your claim
  • Receive all of the benefits promised in your long-term or short-term disability policy if you have a covered medical issue
  • Appeal a claim denial through an internal process or to the courts if internal appeals are unsuccessful
  • Be informed of the reasons for a claim denial as well as the specifics of your insurer’s appeal process
  • Take legal action through a civil lawsuit if your insurer breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing

It is up to you to protect and enforce those rights, which is why you need an advocate on your side.

An Atlanta long-term disability lawyer at Julie Rice Law knows the legal process and can help you navigate the appeals process as well as help you to take any legal steps necessary to get the benefits you are owed.

How can an Atlanta long-term disability lawyer help you?

An Atlanta long-term disability lawyer at Julie Rice Law can offer invaluable assistance throughout your disability claims process — especially after a denial. Our legal team can:

  • Work with you to understand your rights, including whether you can make an ERISA claim or what other legal avenues are open to you to make your insurer pay the benefits you are entitled to
  • Put together a strong appeal so you maximize the chances of getting the benefits your policy is supposed to offer
  • Stand up to the insurance company for you, making it more likely the insurer will take your claim seriously and pay your benefits as promised
  • Help you to get paid as quickly as possible when you are counting on your disability insurance coverage to make ends meet

These are just some of the many services that we can offer. We will be there for you at every step, from working to gather the right medical records to going the distance during the appeals process.

Getting help from an Atlanta long-term disability lawyer

Residents of Atlanta, GA and surrounding locations in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Rockdale, Fayette, Forsyth, or Clayton counties can reach out today to talk with Julie Rice Law.

Call today if you are interested in working with a dedicated Atlanta long-term disability lawyer who offers compassionate representation — and who will fight hard for you to get the money you need to cover vital expenses when a disability has affected your work options.