The Advantages of Having a Long-Term Disability Lawyer on Your Side

Facing a long-term disability (LTD) can be one of the most challenging experiences in a person’s life. It often brings with it not only physical and emotional pain but also a cascade of bureaucratic and legal challenges. Whether you’re applying for disability benefits or appealing a denial, hiring an experienced attorney can maximize your chances of success. Here, we’ll discuss the advantages of having a long-term disability lawyer on your side so you can understand the very specific procedures and time limits when filing LTD claims.

Expertise in the Field

Long-term disability claims can be complex, filled with medical jargon, intricate policy details, and specific procedural requirements. Lawyers specializing in this area:

• Understand the Language: They can decode the legalese and medical terms that flood disability documents.
• Know the Law: They are familiar with federal and state regulations governing disability claims, ensuring your application or appeal meets the necessary guidelines.

Navigating Bureaucracy 

The process of filing a claim involves intricate paperwork, deadlines, and specific criteria:

• Detailed Documentation: Lawyers can guide you in gathering comprehensive medical evidence and ensuring that every ‘i’ is dotted and ‘t’ is crossed.
• Deadlines: Missing a deadline can be costly. A lawyer ensures the timely submission of all necessary documents.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters whose goal is to minimize payouts or find reasons to deny claims. Having a lawyer allows you to:

• Level the Playing Field: You have someone knowledgeable to advocate for your rights.
• Protect Your Interests: A lawyer can push back against unjust claim denials or underestimations of your benefits.

Valuation of Your Claim

It’s challenging for an individual to assess the full value of their disability claim. Lawyers can:

• Calculate Current and Future Losses: This includes medical expenses, potential future treatments, lost wages, and other related costs.
• Maximize Your Benefits: A lawyer ensures that you get the full extent of the benefits you’re entitled to.

Higher Success Rates 

Statistics show that individuals represented by lawyers often have a higher success rate in both initial applications and appeals for disability denials. Their expertise, experience, and advocacy skills play a significant role in these outcomes.

Contingency Fee Basis

Many long-term disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your claim. This ensures:

• Affordability: You don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees.
• Shared Goals: Your lawyer is motivated to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

When Should I Hire an LTD Attorney?

It’s never too early to hire an attorney to represent you in your disability case. As soon as you cannot work, contact an LTD attorney to discuss how you should proceed. While many workers filing for LTD benefits wait until their claim has been initially denied to talk to an attorney, hiring a lawyer to help with your initial application can protect your interests, and it’s highly recommended.

If you’ve already filed your initial application and have been denied, hiring an attorney to help with your administrative appeals is critical. Both group and individual LTD policies contain strict timelines, often 180 days, to appeal a denial, so don’t delay.

Beyond the legal expertise, having a lawyer means having someone on your side. They can provide reassurance, guidance, and moral support. Knowing that an expert is handling your claim can offer peace of mind during a trying time, and they can provide counsel on the best steps to take throughout the process.

Your Disability Attorney in San Diego 

While it’s possible to navigate the disability claim process independently, it is much easier to do with some help. By enlisting the expertise of a long-term disability lawyer, you significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome, ensuring that you can focus on what’s truly important: your health and well-being. At Bonnici Law Group, we are here to assist you when you are applying for benefits or appealing a long-term disability denial. We aim to make the process as easy as possible and will advocate for you to get the benefits you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (619) 815-7790 or click here.