ERISA
The Best Part of Being a Disability Insurance Attorney
Recently, a client asked me about my job. Those people who know me know I am bluntly honest. I told the client my job had two shifts: 1) the shift during the day, where I am in hearings, or meeting with clients, or on the phone handling problems. 2) the night and weekend shifts, where…
Read MoreCourt Decides Liberty’s Denial of Our Client’s Waiver of Life Insurance Premium Did Not Meet “Full and Fair Review” Standard Under ERISA
Under ERISA, one of the rights you have as a part of your disability benefits claim is the right to a “full and fair review” by the insurance company. In providing a “full and fair review” the insurance company cannot cut corners or rely on generalizations to evaluate your claim. Instead, the insurance company has…
Read MoreInjured Victims Suffer Twice Under McCutchen Ruling on ERISA Subrogation Claims
INJURED VICTIMS SUFFER TWICE UNDER McCUTCHEN RULING Congress needs to fix resulting unfair outcomes under ERISA subrogation claims (Yes, the tail finally does wag the dog!) On April 16, 2013, the United States Supreme Court issued its long awaited decision in the case of U.S. Airways v. McCutchen, (No. 11-1285). The case involved a subrogation…
Read MoreMcDonald & McDonald – Long Term Disability Appeals in Ohio and 6 Nearby States
Long Term Disability Appeals in Ohio and 6 Nearby States At McDonald & McDonald, we practice ERISA / long-term disability insurance law in several states throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, & the South. Our clients have come from a variety of locations and cities. Our law firm is headquartered in Centerville, Ohio, but . . we have…
Read MoreReinstating your Long Term Disability Benefit: The ERISA 502(a) Lawsuit
Most individuals become familiar with the phrase 502(a) lawsuit by receiving a letter from an insurance company denying access to their long-term disability benefits. The traditional language often used by long-term disability insurers advises clients that they have “exhausted their administrative remedies”, and now have the ability to file a lawsuit under Section 502(a) of…
Read MoreLong Term Disability – Defining “your job” vs. “your occupation”
Long Term Disability Insurance – “your job” vs. “your occupation” – understand the difference: THE VOCATIONAL SIDE OF LONG-TERM DISABILITY Frequently, long-term disability contracts provide us with definitions for disabling conditions. These definitions embrace the idea that your illness or disability affects your ability to perform “your job.” Occasionally, policies also refer to “your occupation.” …
Read MoreLong Term Disability: “Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies”
Reaching back into our history, I thought the following might be a good decision to share. This case primarily deals with the often under-litigated issues of exhaustion of administrative remedies and timeliness of the Plaintiff’s Complaint under 502(a) of ERISA. In general, each Long Term Disability plan that issues a denial must have rules that…
Read MoreDon’t Accept the Social Security Representative Recommended to You By Your Long Term Disability Insurer
You are not obligated to accept the preferred Social Security representative recommended to you by your Long Term Disability carrier. When you apply for long-term disability benefits, many plans will require that you also apply for and pursue Social Security disability benefits. The logic behind this request is simple. They will take an offset for any…
Read MoreLong Term Disability Appeal For Cancer Denial – Client Wins!
Long Term Disability Appeal For Cancer Denial – Client Wins! McDonald & McDonald Wins Long Term Disability case in Federal Court for Disabled Client! See Spina v. CVS Long Term Disability et al In 2011 the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio ruled in favor of our client, who suffers from…
Read MoreSurveillance and the Functional Capacity Evaluation
This has been on my mind for some time and I have been trying to let my clients and perspective clients know about this so they can respond appropriately. Many insurance companies use vendors to conduct video surveillance while the disability claimant is at their home. There is simply no way to tell which files…
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