Appealing a Disability Insurance Denial

By John Curran

Many advocates that help people who have been denied benefits from disability insurance companies like Unum note that in a large number of cases, the firm will issue a denial simply as a matter of course. However, there are several things a person can do to appeal the denial and get the benefits they deserve.

The first step is to work with an advocate or disability insurance attorney to obtain doctors' records and, in some cases, the opinion of an outside medical expert. If benefits are denied a second time, the plaintiff can take the company to court for an administrative hearing. Unlike in most civil claims, these are not heard before a jury, which is why legal expertise can be beneficial.

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Unum Disability Insurance Gap Hits Snag with Florida Ruling

By John Curran

One of the underreported problems with claim denial specialists for disability benefits is a gap in coverage for workers. That was especially true in Florida until a decision was handed down that could affect Unum disability insurance policy holders.

District Court Judge Bradford Thomas knocked down a bill limiting workers' compensation benefits to 104 weeks, or two years. Companies providing these policies to employers had been able to drop rates by half, which made it less likely that they would pressure their claim denial specialists. Now, Thomas' decision requires benefits to continue for up to five years in total, and disability insurance providers need to watch out as well.

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Heisman Winner Johnny Manziel Gets Disability Insurance

By John Curran

Disability insurance may not make sense for everyone, but some athletes are jumping on board because their income relies principally on physical performance. While most beneficiaries were members of professional leagues like the NFL, the potential for lost wages has made its way into the college ranks thanks to Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

College football fans know him for his scrambling and ability to make plays when they seem impossible. His parents know him for having professional potential, and they have obtained a disability insurance policy for him if an injury during his college playing days limits his ability to play in the NFL. He is not the first player to do so, but he is certainly the most high-profile example.

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Unum Reverses Benefit Denial for Woman with Anal Cancer

By Andrea Gressman

Unum has been at it again – denying yet another legitimate disability benefit claim. This time Unum’s benefit denial was for a woman who cannot control her own bowel movements, which the company evidently felt should be something she could work through. However, after consulting a Unum fraud attorney, this shameful denial was reversed.

Details of this Unum Benefit Denial and Appeal

The woman at issue in this benefit denial was suffering from a severe condition called Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal, which caused her to be unable to control her bowel movements. Prior to the Unum policyholder retaining an attorney, Unum evidently did not feel that her symptoms of frequent and chronic bowel movements, anxiety, rectal pain, and depression were enough to warrant approval of her disability claim.

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Disability Benefits Difficult to Obtain for Lupus Patients

By John Curran

UnumProvident claim denial specialists have been effective in forcing benefits applicants to hire disability insurance attorneys because they have medical conditions that aren’t widely understood. That includes many mental health problems like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and also rare autoimmune disorders like lupus. It is enough of a problem that local organizations are presenting seminars on the subject.

Lupus causes the body to attack itself, and symptoms can be as varied as pain during walking or movement or damage to the joints and cardiovascular system. However, trying to establish that there is no other cause for this pain can create problems for disability insurance benefits applicants. It can seem similar to many other conditions outside of a set of rashes, including one that appears like a birthmark on both cheeks. Patients may present varied symptoms and the variability leads to problems in trying to establish a medical claim for disability benefits.

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Problems in the Disability Insurance Industry Affect Workers

By John Curran

The difficulties people have faced trying to get disability insurance benefits when running into Unum claim denial specialists are well-documented. However, the company and several others in its sector are facing financial problems from increased claims as well as reduced returns on the investments they use to pay beneficiaries. Rather than wonder why the problems exist, some firms are considering bowing out and disability insurance lawyers say that could have profound implications.

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