ERISA Attorney in Lakeland

We Stand Up to Big Insurance Companies that Wrongfully Deny Benefits

Many disability claims clients are justifiably angry with their insurance companies as many of the leading disability insurance carriers engage in systematic strategies to deny claims.

If you have found us, you know by now that Insurance companies will do everything in their power to keep you from getting the benefits you deserve. They may tell you you're not disabled. They may engage in delay tactics or misrepresent the policy provisions to you. As an individual policyholder up against a powerful insurance company, you may feel like you are engaged in a hopeless battle. That need not be the case. You are not alone. 

Understanding the Intricacies of ERISA

Most attorneys are not familiar with the nuances and legal traps in ERISA governed claims. It is important to seek immediate legal help from a Lakeland ERISA claim attorney early in your claim.

Deadlines to appeal a denied ERISA disability claim are very short. In ERISA governed claims, the administrative appeal is critically important to the claimant, as this is generally the only opportunity for the claimant to submit critical evidence of disability.

A Lakeland ERISA claim attorney assures that the appeal takes into account all of the medical information and records, vocational information, statements of witnesses and all other legal concerns and arguments that affect the results.

Hiring a Lakeland ERISA Claim Attorney

Pursuing any claim under ERISA is complex and requires an in-depth understanding of federal statues and case law, as well as a familiarity with the strategies and tactics of insurance companies.

A mishandled insurance claim or appeal can put your benefits in peril. Contact an Indianapolis insurance law attorney online or by phone at 866-688-7775

Time Is Not on Your Side

If you have received a denial letter from your insurance company, you have a short time to appeal the denial. If you delay, you may lose your chance to appeal. Do not wait. Contact an insurance lawyer online or by phone at 866.688-7775. Your initial consultation is free.  More importantly, unlike other ERISA attorneys we do not charge our clients any money unless we get them a recovery from the insurance company.  You have enough to worry about without adding another unpaid bill to your problems.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND COMMON TIPS TO HANDLING YOUR CLAIM

1. File your claim promptly. The insurance company has the right to know about your claim or potential claim in a timely manner. A failure to promptly submit a claim can result in the insurance company denying your benefits.

2. Gather your medical records and review the records for accuracy. Make sure that if there are errors or inconsistencies in those records that either you or your healthcare professional explains the errors or inconsistencies.

3. Do not assume your treating doctor's opinion or a worker's compensation rating is enough to establish disability; you must establish "restrictions" and "limitations" to support your claim that you are unable to work. A two sentence letter from your treating doctor saying that you are disabled and cannot work is not enough

4. Be sure you submit vocational evidence demonstrating that you cannot do your job as it is described in the job description.

5. Follow-up all telephone communications with the insurer with a confirming letter. Never rely on oral communications. Try to interact with the insurer in writing as much as possible. The full-text of telephone conversations are not necessarily logged with 100% accuracy in the insurance company files.

6. The insurance case manager may seem sympathetic, however, the case manager's salary and bonus is paid by the insurer and not you. Watch what you say, because anything that remotely undermines your claim may be used against you.

7. Fill out claimant's questionnaires carefully. Try to avoid answering questions with simple "Yes" or "No" or "Never" answers. If you said you cannot drive, you better mean that. If what you really mean is that you cannot drive for more than 20 minutes, say so. If you say you cannot drive, and the insurer places you under surveillance, and finds that you drove 3 minutes to the pharmacy and 3 minutes back home, an insurer might accuse you of lying.

8. If an insurance company schedules an "independent medical examination," be aware of your surroundings days before and after the examination. Insurers often place claimants under surveillance during this time period.

9. "Independent Medical Examiners" are rarely independent. Too many of these examiners are dependent on insurers company's for their livelihood.   This is a good time to consult a Lakeland ERISA attorney.  We can arrange at our expense a videographer to document the exam to ensure our own physicians can later review the exam to see if it accurately portrayed the full extent of your injuries.

10. If the insurance company wants to interview you in person, this is a good time to contact a Lakeland ERISA attorney.  The insurance companies have been trained for years on how to deny your claim don't you want aggressive representation during this process to make sure it does not work.

If you have been wrongfully denied benefits, contact a Lakeland ERISA attorney at the firm for vigorous prosecution of your claim.