Aug 29, 2025 - Disability Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance by Seltzer & Associates
Most people don’t even think about calling a lawyer until they’re facing a problem. But often, the services of an attorney are most helpful when you want to avoid a problem altogether. Think about it this way: it’s a lot faster to do something the right way the first time than to wait for a problem to occur and then figure out what needs to be done to fix it.
That is often the case when filing a claim for benefits under a disability insurance policy. An experienced Philadelphia long-term disability appeal lawyer can help prevent the need for an appeal because this type of legal advisor knows the evidence that insurance companies are looking for. By the same token, a Philadelphia insurance bad faith attorney knows the factors that can cause a disability insurance provider to act in bad faith when processing a claim, and how to sidestep potential problems by avoiding those trigger points. A disability insurance attorney who knows how to solve problems can also help you prevent them, and that could enable you to get benefits sooner and reduce the potential for early termination.
A Disability Insurance Attorney Can Help You Understand Your Policy
Insurance policies are written in specialized language that includes many terms of art. These terms have a particular meaning in the industry, and sometimes they are defined under state or federal law. The terms may also be defined within the policy itself. Those who are not used to reading insurance policies can miss critical requirements or misinterpret coverage details. One advantage to working with a disability insurance lawyer before filing a claim is that your legal advisor can explain your coverage and the requirements for obtaining benefits so that you don’t miss out on a benefit or waste your time applying for benefits that don’t apply in your particular case. Many policyholders spend months on a fruitless claims process, and then when they finally consult a Philadelphia long-term disability appeal lawyer, they learn that one simple step early on would have brought results immediately.
Private and Group Disability Insurance Policies
Many professionals have more than one type of disability insurance policy. Employers such as hospitals will often offer some form of group disability insurance as a benefit to physicians, nurse anesthetists, and other medical professionals on their staff. These policies generally offer limited benefits, so for full protection, many professionals will purchase private individual disability policies, particularly if they have practices to support.
It is important to get the full picture and consider all policies that could be used in your case. The insurance company may also require policyholders to file claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as well. A disability insurance attorney can help assess and manage policy requirements and application processes.
Short-Term and Long-Term Policies
In many cases, policyholders will need to file claims under both their short-term and long-term disability insurance policies. Even if the condition that leads to your disability remains the same, the standards for coverage may differ between these policies, and they require separate application processes. The terms of some long-term disability policies make it much more difficult to obtain benefits if a claimant has been denied benefits under their short-term disability policy. Working with an attorney during the application process can prevent potential difficulties with these types of terms.
Understanding Coverage
It can be challenging to understand when a condition is covered by a disability policy. For instance, some policies provide benefits when the policyholder is unable to work in their own profession, while others require the policyholder to demonstrate that they are unable to work in any occupation before they can receive disability benefits. Some professionals believe they have purchased coverage that provides benefits if they are unable to continue with their current practice, only to find out that they are mistaken.
It takes considerably more evidence to satisfy the “any occupation” standard for coverage, but a Philadelphia long-term disability lawyer experienced with appeals and claims knows how to gather and present the evidence to meet this high standard.
Prompt Action is Essential
When a physical or mental disability prevents you from practicing your profession, your primary focus is recovery. That’s as it should be. Unfortunately, disability insurance providers set deadlines that you need to comply with if you want to have any hope of receiving the benefits you’ve contracted for. When you work with a disability insurance attorney during the claims process, your legal representative can ensure that you meet every deadline. Allowing your attorney to manage your claim enables you to put all your energies into recovery.
Step-by-Step Assistance Throughout the Claims Process
The process of filing a claim for benefits under the disability insurance policy you’ve paid for should be straightforward. Unfortunately, insurance companies try to protect their bottom line by making claimants jump through numerous hoops, hoping that they will trip on a requirement or give up on the process so that the company doesn’t have to pay out.
It can be a lot to manage. When you work with an experienced attorney, however, your legal advisor can handle many requirements on your behalf and guide you through simple actions on a timely basis so that you only need to focus on one step at a time rather than trying to maintain awareness of everything at once.
One of the most critical steps in the process will be the preparation of a “statement.” The form provided by the insurance company usually only provides enough space to write a sentence or two, giving the false impression that you don’t need to provide much information in your statement. In actuality, the success of your claim may depend on the level of detail provided in your statement.
The statement provides your opportunity to explain the extent of your injury or illness and how it prevents you from performing critical aspects of your profession. You need to provide detailed explanations of the negative impacts your disability has on the performance of job duties. Your attorney can help you elaborate on the impact of your disabling condition so that insurers get the picture in no uncertain terms.
In addition, your attorney can provide guidance to your attending physician about the level of detail needed when the physician completes the paperwork necessary for your application. Then your attorney can determine what additional information should be provided to make your claim as strong as possible from the outset. Throughout the process, your legal advisor can also help you avoid saying or doing something that might give the insurance company grounds to deny the claim.
If your claim is denied, your attorney will be prepared to file a prompt appeal and understand whether the insurance company may be acting in bad faith, justifying legal remedies.
Find Out More About the Ways We Can Help with Your Disability Insurance Claim
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to filing a successful claim for benefits under a disability insurance policy. So, the best way to find out how a disability insurance attorney can help in your situation is to schedule a free consultation with the team at Seltzer & Associates. Although we are based in Philadelphia, we have decades of experience assisting professionals with insurance claims throughout the country.
If you are considering filing a claim for disability benefits or you’re in the midst of the claims process and want to know if you’re on the right track, give us a call at 888-699-4222 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.