Financial industry professionals cover a wide range of roles, including financial advisors, client service managers, investment analysts, portfolio managers, traders, risk analysts, and executives at financial services firms. These roles often require a high level of expertise, focus, and the ability to manage stress in a fast-paced environment.
Challenges Financial Industry Employees Face When Filing Long-Term Disability Claims
Financial industry employees face unique challenges when filing long-term disability claims. High earning potential often attracts heightened scrutiny from insurers, who may look for any reason to deny or underpay claims. In addition, the mental and physical demands of these roles—such as long hours, intense concentration, and constant decision-making—can complicate the process of documenting a disability. The competitive nature of the financial world can also pressure professionals to work through health problems until their conditions become debilitating, which can lead to disputes over when a disability began.
Common Reasons for Denying Long-Term Disability Claims
Many claims are initially denied by insurance companies for a variety of reasons, including:
- Lack of Medical Evidence: Insurers often claim that the condition isn’t well-documented or lacks objective evidence, such as lab results or imaging studies.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies may argue that the disability is due to a condition that existed before the policy was issued.
- Disability Definition Disputes: Policies may require claimants to prove that they cannot perform either their “own occupation” or “any occupation,” leading to disputes over whether the definition of disability is met.
- Missed Deadlines: Missing deadlines can result in automatic denials.
- Surveillance or Misrepresentation: Insurers may use surveillance or social media activity to argue that a claimant’s condition is not as severe as reported.
What to Do After a Denial
If your long-term disability claim has been denied, the first step is to carefully review the denial letter. This document will outline the insurer’s reasoning and any evidence they claim is missing. From there, it’s important to gather additional documentation, such as medical records, expert testimony, or vocational assessments, to strengthen your case. Filing an appeal is required under group disability policies governed by ERISA, and this process provides an opportunity to address the insurer’s objections and submit new evidence.
Working with an experienced attorney can make all the difference. At the Ortiz Law Firm, we help our clients build strong appeals and ensure that all deadlines and procedural requirements are met. If necessary, we’re also prepared to take your case to court to fight for the benefits you deserve.
How We Can Help with Your LTD Denial
At the Ortiz Law Firm, we provide customized assistance to financial professionals with long-term disability claim denials. Whether you’re dealing with a denied claim or need help filing a lawsuit, we offer comprehensive assistance. We represent clients with both employer-provided group policies and individual disability insurance plans.
Our services include:
- Handling long-term disability appeals to challenge denials or terminations of benefits.
- Filing lawsuits against insurers to secure the benefits owed.
Our appeals go beyond basic arguments; we perform a comprehensive legal analysis, breaking down each error the insurer made in denying your claim. We prepare a detailed appeal document, typically 14-20 pages in length, summarizing all medical, vocational, and legal elements to present a compelling case for overturning the denial.
Employers and Insurance Companies We Handle
We have extensive experience working with disability policies tied to financial institutions, including major financial services firms and insurers such as:
- Charles Schwab (The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company)
- Fidelity Investments
- Vanguard
- JPMorgan Chase (The Prudential Insurance Company of America)
- Morgan Stanley (The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company)
- Merrill Lynch
Why Choose the Ortiz Law Firm?
Our firm is uniquely qualified to handle the disability claims of financial professionals. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in this industry, we offer:
- Years of Experience: With over 20 years of experience handling thousands of long-term disability cases for a wide range of medical conditions, Nick Ortiz and our dedicated team offer specialized guidance to maximize your chances of success.
- Nationwide Representation: You don’t need to hire a local attorney. We represent clients nationwide in ERISA long-term disability claims.
- Proven Success: Our track record speaks for itself, with countless victories for clients against tough insurers. Our meticulous approach ensures that nothing is overlooked.
- No Win, No Fee: With our “no win, no fee” model, you only pay if we successfully recover your benefits.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss how we can help you protect your financial future in the face of disability. Call (888) 321-8131 to schedule your free case evaluation today.
