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According to Cornell University’s 2017 Disability Status Report for Tennessee, 15.5% of the state’s population lives with a disability. Nashville is the most populous city in the state of Tennessee with an estimated population of 670,820 and is home to many disabled individuals. Those whose conditions are severe enough to prevent them from earning an income can apply for disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or long-term disability insurance benefits, to help cover the cost of living and medical treatment. If your claim for disability benefits has been denied, you likely need help from a Nashville disability lawyer.
Many of Nashville’s largest employers, such as HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and Vanderbilt University offer disability insurance benefits to their employees, and most Nashville workers contribute to the Social Security disability program in the form of payroll taxes. The requirements for a successful Social Security disability claim are very different from those for a disability insurance claim, but a skilled lawyer can guide you through the process of proving that you are disabled.
At the Ortiz Law Firm, our lawyers are experienced with claims for disability insurance and Social Security disability benefits. We represent disability claimants in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. If you are a resident of Nashville, Tennessee, and can no longer work due to injury or illness, call us at (888) 321-8131 to see how we can help you obtain disability benefits.
Nashville Disability Lawyer for Long-Term Disability, ERISA, and Disability Insurance Claims
Almost everyone contributes to the SSD benefits system through payroll taxes, but you need a disability insurance policy in order to receive long-term disability insurance benefits. Most disability insurance policies are part of a group or employer-sponsored plan, or you may have obtained an individual disability insurance policy from an insurance agent. If you aren’t sure whether you have a group or individual policy, contact a lawyer. You will need to know whether you have a group or individual policy so that you can be sure that you are following all the necessary steps as you pursue your claim for benefits.
For example, an individual policyholder may not have to go through the administrative appeal process if their application for benefits is denied. Instead, the claimant can proceed directly to filing a lawsuit against the insurance carrier. If you have a group or employer-sponsored disability policy and your claim is denied you will be required to go through the administrative appeal process. If you do have to file a lawsuit, the process for an individual policy is very different from the process for a group policy.
Nashville Courts, Government, and Department of Insurance Information
- United States District Court | Middle District of Tennessee
- United State Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Government website for the State of Tennessee
- Tennessee Department Commerce and Insurance
Denied Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims
If you have been denied long-term disability benefits and are looking for help in Nashville or the surrounding area, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced disability lawyer. Although our law office is located in Pensacola, FL., most long-term disability cases are governed by federal ERISA law, so we can help claimants not only in Tennessee but nationwide. We conduct any meetings with our out-of-state clients over the phone, and our attorneys and staff will also maintain contact via email.
We help long-term disability claimants with the administrative appeal process and, if necessary, our attorneys will file a lawsuit against the insurance company. We understand that you are under enough stress simply trying to adjust to life with a disability, and we believe that you should be focused on your health, not fighting for your denied disability benefits. Let the Ortiz Law Firm fight for you.
Nashville Social Security Disability Lawyer
You do not have to have a disability insurance policy in order to receive disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has benefit programs to assist those who are unable to work as a result of a disability: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A Nashville Social Security disability lawyer at the Ortiz Law Firm can help you determine whether you could qualify for SSDI benefits, SSI, or both.
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income
In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have accrued the required amount of work credits for your age and be unable to work in any occupation for a full 12-month period. To be eligible for SSI you must meet be unable to work in any occupation for a full 12-month period and meet strict household income requirements. The non-medical requirements are very different, but the medical requirements are the same.
Although we are based in Pensacola, Florida, we help Social Security disability claimants in Nashville, TN., and the surrounding area. We help eligible claimants apply for Social Security disability and will appeal a claim denial up to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The SSA has been conducting hearings over the phone and via Microsoft Teams, so it is not necessary for your Social Security disability lawyer to appear in Nashville, TN., for a hearing.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?
We handle all Social Security disability claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if your claim is successful. If we are successful, the attorney’s fee is 25% of any past-due SSD benefits awarded by the Social Security Administration, up to a maximum of $9,200. This is a fairly standard fee for any Nashville Social Security disability attorney, but be sure to review any fee agreements carefully before signing.
Nashville SSA Locations and Resources for SSDI Claims
- Directions to the local Social Security Administration Offices
- Social Security’s website
- Information about the Nashville Office of Hearing Operations
Work With a Nashville Disability Lawyer
Our primary practice areas are ERISA and Social Security disability benefits, and the experienced legal team at the Ortiz Law Firm has recovered millions in disability benefits for the disabled. If you have a disability claim that has been wrongfully denied, whether it be for Social Security disability or long-term disability insurance benefits, do not wait to seek legal representation. You only have a limited amount of time to appeal a claim denial. Take the first step towards getting your claim approved: to schedule your free case evaluation with a Nashville disability lawyer, call us at (888) 321-8131.