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Dealing with a long-term disability can turn your life upside down. When an injury or illness prevents you from working, you expect your long-term disability (LTD) insurance or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to provide the financial support you need. Unfortunately, many claims are denied—even when you have strong medical evidence.
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we help Alabama residents fight for the benefits they deserve. Whether you need help with an initial application or are appealing a denial, we can guide you through the process. We know how insurance companies and the Social Security Administration operate, and we know how to fight back.
Helping Clients Throughout Alabama
Attorney Nick Ortiz has spent years helping claimants get the disability benefits they’re entitled to. While our office is not located in Alabama, you don’t need to hire an in-state attorney for LTD or SSDI claims. Because these claims are governed by federal law, we can represent Alabama residents no matter where they live—including Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, and beyond.
Long-Term Disability Claims in Alabama
Your insurer doesn’t have the final say— if your claim has been denied, you have the right to appeal or even sue the insurance company to recover your benefits.
Common Reasons LTD Claims in Alabama Are Denied
Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, including:
- Lack of objective medical evidence (even if your doctor supports your claim)
- Failure to meet the policy’s definition of disability
- Missed deadlines (strict time limits apply to both claims and appeals)
- Pre-existing condition allegations
How We Help Alabama Residents with LTD Claims
We help long-term disability insurance claimants with:
- Filing Appeals: We handle the administrative appeal process, ensuring that your appeal includes strong medical and vocational evidence.
- Filing Lawsuits: If your LTD insurer still refuses to approve your claim, we can file a lawsuit under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or applicable state laws.
Alabama Specific LTD Laws and Federal Court Jurisdiction
Long-term disability (LTD) claims in Alabama are governed by both state-specific insurance laws and the federal ERISA framework. While ERISA generally preempts most state laws, certain state-level rules—like those governing discretionary clauses—can still affect how your claim is handled. Understanding how Alabama law treats policy provisions—and where your case might be heard if you need to file a lawsuit—can help you better prepare for the road ahead.
Alabama’s Discretionary Clause Laws
Alabama allows disability insurers to include discretionary clauses in policies. This means that if a policy contains discretionary language, the insurance company’s decision to deny or approve benefits will only be overturned by a judge if the denial is found to be completely unreasonable—a high standard that can make pursuing a disability claim more difficult.
A discretionary clause places a significant burden on claimants. However, not all policies contain this language. Whether your policy has a discretionary clause can play a critical role in the outcome of your disability claim or lawsuit.
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we have the expertise to identify these provisions and are committed to challenging the insurance company’s interpretation of discretionary language. Our goal is to strengthen your case and help you secure the benefits you deserve.
Alabama Federal Court Jurisdictions for LTD Lawsuits
If your long-term disability appeal is denied, the next step may be to file a lawsuit under ERISA. These cases are handled in federal courts, and where you live in Alabama determines which federal district will hear your case.
If you need to file an ERISA lawsuit, your case will be filed in federal court. There are three federal judicial districts in Alabama:
- Northern District of Alabama: Covers Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding areas.
- Middle District of Alabama: Includes Montgomery, Auburn, Dothan, and nearby counties.
- Southern District of Alabama: Handles cases from Mobile, Baldwin County, and surrounding areas.
When decisions from these courts are appealed, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit hears the appeals.
Alabama Social Security Disability Claims
If you’re unable to work due to a medical condition, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits—but getting approved isn’t easy. Many applicants give up when their application is denied, but you have the right to appeal and submit additional evidence.
How We Help Alabama Residents with SSDI Claims
- Filing Initial Applications: We prepare strong applications with the medical evidence needed to improve your chances of approval.
- Handling Appeals: If your claim is denied, we challenge the decision and strengthen your case.
- Representing You at Hearings: If necessary, we will represent you at your ALJ hearing and present the strongest possible case for your benefits.
Do You Need a Local Lawyer for Your Disability Claim?
No! You are not required to hire an Alabama-based attorney for long-term disability or Social Security disability claims.
- SSDI claims and most LTD claims are governed by federal law—so we can represent clients all over the country.
- We handle everything remotely, so you don’t have to visit an office in person.
- We communicate via phone, email, and video calls to make the process easy and convenient for you.
Wherever you are in Alabama, we have the knowledge and experience to fight for your disability benefits.
Why Choose the Ortiz Law Firm?
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we are committed to providing personalized legal assistance to each client. Unlike general practice firms, our entire focus is on LTD and SSDI claims. Our disability attorney, Nick Ortiz, has decades of experience handling both LTD and SSDI claims, and has a track record of successfully recovering benefits for his clients. We believe that no one should have to face the legal system alone, especially when dealing with the stress of a disability.
Get a Free Case Evaluation for Your Alabama Disability Claim
If your LTD or SSDI claim has been denied, don’t give up. We’re here to help. Call (888) 321-8131 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. We will fight for the benefits you deserve!
