Experienced Long Term Disability Attorneys Representing Clients in Chicago
If you or one of your close family members has a disability or serious medical condition, you may be able to obtain benefits under a group benefits plan offered by an employer. These plans are generally regulated by Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA is a complex federal law. While it provides certain protections for claimants, the large insurance carriers have also figured out how to complicate the process to their own benefit.
At Bartolic Law, our Chicago long term disability attorneys have the skills, focus, and tenacity needed to hold the large insurance companies accountable. If your long term disability application was turned down in Cook County, IL, we are here to help. For free legal support, please contact our Chicago office today.
Understanding Long Term Disability Claims in Chicago
You Only Have 180 Days to Appeal Your Claim Denial: ERISA has strict deadlines. If you filed an ERISA disability claim, and your application was denied, you will only have six months to bring your appeal. What happens if you do not take action before the deadline expires? You may lose out on your benefits. The worst thing that you can do is to give up on fighting for your disability benefits. Once you receive a rejection letter, you should reach out to a Chicago ERISA disability claims attorney immediately.
Your Must Exhaust Your Administrative Remedies: If your Chicago ERISA disability claim was denied, you do not have the right to immediately file a lawsuit. While you can file a lawsuit eventually, you must first go through the full internal appeals process. At this time, you need to submit an appeal directly to your insurance provider. You should not do this alone: Get a lawyer who can help you with your appeal.
ERISA Has Complicated Evidentiary Rules: ERISA has unique evidentiary rules. The insurance company does not want you to know about this key feature of ERISA claims. If your long term disability claim does make it into the courtroom, you will be restricted entirely to the evidence included within your claim file. Simply put, this is the evidence that you submitted to the insurance company in your initial application or your internal appeal. If you fail to include evidence during your appeal, you may not be able to use that evidence in federal court.
Speak to a Chicago Long Term Disability Lawyer
The Law Offices of Michael Bartolic is Chicago’s premier ERISA litigation law firm. If your long term disability claim was rejected in Cook County, do not give up. You still have legal options available. For a free, no risk review of your case, please gives us a call today at (312) 635-1600. We look forward to working with you.