Evanston ERISA Lawyers

A majority of Illinois residents mistakenly believe that their chances of ever sustaining a long-term disability are one in a million, but the truth is that about one in four individuals has a chance of sustaining a long-term disability before they retire. A disability may last for months or even years, during which an individual is entirely unable to work, participate in normal activities, or simply enjoy life. Because of the high risk of long-term disability and because of the negative implications it can pose on one’s life, long-term disability insurance is a wise investment.

Unfortunately, even those who do invest in long-term disability insurance often find that they have a hard time recuperating the benefits that they need when it comes time to make a claim. When long-term disability benefits are offered through an employer, they’re usually governed by a complex federal law known as ERISA, and understanding how to make a claim or appeal under this law can be difficult.

If you suffer from a long-term disability, if you invested in long-term disability insurance, and if your insurance carrier is giving you a hard time regarding your benefits, the Evanston ERISA lawyers at Bartolic Law may be able to help you fight for the benefits that are rightfully yours. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more.

When to Hire an Evanston ERISA Attorney

The sooner you hire a disability attorney to represent you in your disability case, the better. At Bartolic Law, our Evanston ERISA lawyers have dealt with countless long-term disability claims and know just how difficult it can be to negotiate with the insurance company’s lawyers. Because of this, we are adamant when we say that the best time to hire a disability lawyer is as soon as you become unable to work. 

Many individuals will wait until their initial insurance claim is denied to speak with a disability attorney, but doing so could hurt your chances at a fair settlement—not to mention take up a significant amount of your time and resources, and to no avail. If you have been injured, our Evanston ERISA lawyers can help prevent you from making the following mistakes:

• Quitting work as soon as you file for disability benefits. Quitting is the worst thing you can do, as oftentimes, a long-term disability policy begins and ends when the employment relationship begins and ends;
• Finding other means of income in a less demanding position. We understand your desire to want to continue working, but doing so – especially when your case is still open – could harm your chances of winning a long-term disability claim. At the very least, it could result in less disability compensation; and
• Making key mistakes on the application for benefits. Unfortunately, insurance companies design their application questions to elicit answers that could form the basis for denial. As such, you should avoid submitting an application, if possible, until you have reviewed it with your lawyer for any tricks or traps typical of insurance claims applications.

If you have already filed your long-term disability claim application, and if it has been denied, it is imperative that you seek the legal help of knowledgeable Evanston ERISA lawyers right away. Once your initial claim has been denied, you only have so long to appeal the decision—oftentimes as little as six months.

Retain the Legal Assistance of an Evanston Long-Term Disability Lawyer

At Bartolic Law, our ERISA lawyers know the ins and outs of the disability claims process and can ensure that you receive a fair settlement from your insurance provider. If you were wise enough to invest in long-term disability insurance, you deserve to benefit from it should you sustain a long-term disability. However, insurance companies will try their hardest to get a claim denied, as they do not want to lose money. That is not right. Our Evanston ERISA lawyers advocate for the injured and help ensure that they are not taken advantage of by insurance companies. To speak with a long-term disability lawyer regarding your case, contact our Evanston disability law firm today.