Role Of Vocational Experts In An ERISA Disability Claim

When you make a claim for long term disability benefits under the plan provided by your employer, you cannot simply claim to be disabled and expect the insurance company to take your word for it. Instead, you will be expected to provide sufficient evidence of your disability through medical records, letters from your physicians, and more.

Even if you have established that you have a serious medical impairment, a diagnosis alone does not mean you will automatically be approved for benefits. In addition to proving your condition, you must also demonstrate that the effects of your condition prevent you from being able to return to your position. Because your insurer will certainly want to look into your ability to perform your job duties before it approves benefits for you, an insurance company may decide to seek an opinion from a “vocational expert.” Specifically, a vocational expert will review your medical file and limitations noted by your physician and compare that with your current job duties to make a professional determination regarding your restrictions. Such experts can also be used for Social Security disability benefit determinations.

Even if you are approved for benefits based on your inability to perform your previous work, most ERISA disability plans will limit the amount of time you can receive benefits on that basis alone. In order to continue receiving benefits past that time limit, the disability insurance company will examine whether you can work at other jobs instead. For example, if you worked in a position that required physical labor and are unable to continue that type of physical work, the insurer can claim that does not necessarily mean that you are unable to do more sedentary work. It can again seek an opinion from a vocational expert and, if your insurer believes you can earn a living in another position, it will likely terminate benefits.

A vocational expert will review many factors to determine your ability to perform another job, including the following:

• Your education;
• Previous job training and experience;
• Skill levels; and
• Physical and mental functional capacity.

The expert will compare your abilities with many different potential jobs to determine whether you may qualify for one of them.

The good news is that a vocational expert does not necessarily have the final word on whether you can work or not. You also have the right to hire your own vocational expert to provide evidence of your limitations to the insurance company. A disability attorney will have the resources to help you obtain your own vocational evidence in support of your claim.

Find Out How An Experienced Chicago Long Term Disability Lawyer Can Help

Providing sufficient evidence of your disability can be complicated. This can become even more difficult if the insurer has a vocational expert who asserts that you are able to work. A skilled long term disability attorney who is familiar with ERISA plans will know how to best help you in this type of situation. At Bartolic Law, we have assisted many individuals with disabilities in obtaining the benefits they deserve under their ERISA plan. Please call for a free consultation at (312) 635-1600 today.