Fighting Long-Term Disability Claim Denials for Machine Operators

Machine operators are workers who set up, maintain, and operate their assigned machines, often in production facilities and manufacturing industries. They maintain their assigned machines to ensure that they operate efficiently and without problems.

Long-Term Disability Claims for Machine Operators

But what if you have an illness or injury that prevents you from working? You file a claim with your long-term disability insurance company; surprisingly, they deny it!

You may feel hopeless after receiving a denial. You are unable to perform your duties as a machine operator and can no longer work. Now that your insurance company has wrongly denied your claim for benefits, and you don’t know where to turn for help.

Fortunately, you have come to the right place – the Ortiz Law Firm can help you get the benefits you deserve. If your insurer has denied your LTD benefits, rest assured that you are not alone. Unfortunately, your insurance company has denied your claim, but we’re here to help. We fight machine operator long-term disability claim denials.

How Do Machine Operators Qualify for LTD Benefits?

If your medical condition prevents you from performing your duties and responsibilities, you may qualify for disability insurance benefits. A machine operator’s duties and responsibilities often include the following:

• Setting up machines (calibrating, cleaning, etc.) to begin a production cycle
• Controlling and adjusting machine settings (such as speed)
• Feeding raw materials or parts to semi-automated machines
• Inspecting parts with precision and measuring tools
• Periodically checking the operation of machines
• Troubleshooting problems that may arise during the shift
• Inspect output to detect any machine-related errors or defects
• Maintain records of accepted and rejected units or finished products
• Maintaining activity logs

Depending on the company, machine operator skills and requirements may include:

• Knowledge of various high-speed machines and measuring tools (calipers, micrometers, etc.)
• Understanding of manufacturing processes
• Adherence to health and safety regulations (e.g., wearing protective gear at all times)
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and manuals
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork and communication skills
• Physical endurance and strength

Most machine operators will have difficulty getting the insurance company to approve their claim for long-term disability benefits. This is because the insurance company looks at the case financially. The insurance company looks at how much it will cost to pay your monthly benefit month after month. As such, the insurance company will look for any reason to deny benefits. If you have been out of work for a long time, you will face more scrutiny during the claim process.

Tips for Successfully Appealing a Long-Term Disability Claim Denial

Tip #1 Document Your Symptoms and Limitations

Medical evidence is the foundation of any long-term disability claim. Gathering the evidence to prove your disability is the longest and most tedious part of the process. You will need to collect all the medical records from the doctors treating your disability.

Make sure that your doctors note your pain levels, cognitive difficulties, and other symptoms and limitations in your medical records. This is not always common practice, but you must stack the administrative record with as much evidence as possible.

For example, let’s say a claimant has a significant back injury, such as a herniated disc. The claimant cannot sit, stand, or walk frequently or for long periods of time. To alleviate the pain, the most comfortable position is for the claimant to lie down for 50% of the day. Few jobs will accommodate lying down for half of the day.

You want to make sure your doctor documents these restrictions and limitations. Good “objective medical evidence” is needed to support subjective complaints of pain. Objective evidence may include MRIs, X-rays, etc.

Tip #2 Anticipate Surveillance

Video surveillance by the insurance company is perfectly legal and happens all the time. During the surveillance period, a private investigator will stake out your home. They may talk to nearby neighbors about your daily activities. Your insurance company will then try to use this information to support their decision to deny you disability benefits.

You shouldn’t rush back into exercise or strenuous activities during the claim period. It is best to be careful when traveling to and from your appointments. If the insurer knows that you are going to a certain doctor’s office, they know that this is an opportunity for monitoring.

Tip #3 Stay Off Social Media

You may have more time for social media at home when you have nothing to do but rest. However, we recommend that claimants stay off of all social media, including Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat.

There is a good chance that your insurer will monitor your social media accounts. We recommend that you stay off social media completely during the claim period. The insurance investigator will try to use social media posts to deny your claim.

Tip #4 Don’t Return to Work Too Soon

Recovering from a disability can be tedious and feel unproductive for a machine operator. Going from a very active schedule to weeks (or perhaps months) of rest can feel like a prison sentence. However, it is best to resist the urge to return to work too soon. Returning to work too soon could be a mistake that causes more damage.

Tip #5 Don’t Forget Cognitive Issues

Cognitive problems refer to a decline in your ability to think and process information. Cognitive impairment is often associated with conditions such as delirium, dementia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or ‎Huntington’s disease. Cognitive impairments can also occur as a result of other medical problems/diagnoses, including:

The language of each disability policy is different. Generally, you are eligible for benefits if you cannot work full-time in your occupation. Depending on your disability policy, you may have to prove that you cannot work in any occupation for which you are qualified.

It seems obvious that a machine operator with a cognitive impairment would have difficulty performing the duties of a machine operator. However, insurance companies deny claims even when a claim seems valid. All too often, insurance companies deny claims on the basis that a claimant has the “functional capacity” to return to work. This is true even when the claimant suffers from cognitive impairment.

FREE RESOURCE: The Ultimate Long-Term Disability Appeals Guide

Why Hire the Ortiz Law Firm to Fight for Your Long-Term Disability Benefits?

Machine operators will find it difficult to get a long-term disability claim approved. The insurance company will look for any reason (legitimate or not) to deny your claim. Working with a disability attorney can ease the burden of the long-term disability appeal process. The Ortiz Law Firm specializes in long-term disability claims and represents disability claimants throughout the United States.

When you work with the Ortiz Law Firm, you get a team of legal professionals who understand disability law. Having recovered disability benefits for thousands of claimants, we have the experience to defend your disability claim. We will fight to get your claim approved so that you can focus on your health.

If your insurer has wrongly denied or terminated your claim, we offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation. There are no fees unless we win your case, and we will be with you every step of the way. If your insurer has denied your long-term disability claim, we’re here to help you through this difficult time. Call (888) 321-8131 today to schedule a free case evaluation with long-term disability attorney Nick Ortiz.