Info Library

 Clear Information About Long Term Disability Claims

The Info Library is a comprehensive educational resource for people navigating long term disability claims.

Here, you can learn how disability insurers evaluate medical conditions, occupational duties, policy language, medical evidence, appeals, benefit terminations, and litigation. Each guide focuses on a specific issue that may affect your eligibility for benefits or the strength of your claim.

Use the search feature above or browse the topic areas below.

Diagnoses

A medical diagnosis can have a profound impact on your ability to work, but not every diagnosis is evaluated the same way by disability insurance companies.

Our diagnosis guides explain how specific medical conditions may affect your eligibility for long term disability benefits, the evidence insurers typically look for, and the unique challenges claimants often face throughout the claims process.

Learn More

Occupations

Your occupation is one of the most important factors in a long term disability claim. Disability insurance companies evaluate more than just your diagnosis; they assess whether your condition prevents you from performing the material duties of your specific occupation.

Our occupation guides explore the unique demands of different professions and the evidence that can help support a successful disability claim. Whether you are filing an initial claim, appealing a denial, or protecting ongoing benefits, understanding how your occupation is evaluated is essential.

Learn More

Insurers

The insurance company handling your long term disability claim can significantly impact your experience throughout the claims process. While every insurer evaluates disability claims differently, each has its own procedures, priorities, and common reasons for delaying, denying, or terminating benefits.

Our insurer guides examine the practices of major disability insurance companies, explain the challenges claimants commonly encounter, and provide insight into the strategies that can help strengthen your claim at every stage.

Learn More

Policy Terms

Your disability insurance policy is the foundation of your claim. The language in your policy determines who is eligible for benefits, how disability is defined, what limitations or exclusions may apply, and what evidence you need to provide throughout the claims process.

Our policy guides explain the key provisions found in many long term disability policies and help you understand how your policy can affect your eligibility, benefits, and claim strategy.

Learn More

Claim Strategies

Every long term disability claim presents unique challenges, and the steps you take throughout the process can have a significant impact on your ability to obtain and maintain benefits. Understanding how disability insurers evaluate claims can help you make informed decisions from the outset.

Our claim strategy guides cover important topics such as documenting your disability, working with your treating physicians, responding to insurer requests, preparing appeals, and protecting your benefits throughout the life of your claim.

Learn More

Litigation Issues

If your long term disability claim cannot be resolved during the administrative claims process, the next step may involve litigation or mediation. Understanding how these proceedings work can help you make informed decisions about your legal options and what to expect as your case moves forward.

Our litigation and mediation guides explain important legal concepts, court procedures, settlement discussions, standards of review, and other issues that may arise after a claim has been denied or terminated.

Learn More
Topic

Insurers Hartford

Hartford Disability Attorneys

Hartford

Hartford is the fourth largest disability insurance company in the U.S., growing even larger after its acquisition of Aetna in 2017.  Like all disability insurers, Hartford is motivated to deny benefits to its claimants to increase their profit margins.  See Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, 554 U.S. 105, 115 (2008).  When filing a long term disability claim with Hartford, you are likely to face scrutiny from their representatives who will look for any justification to reject your claim.

Riemer Hess regularly wins fights against Hartford on behalf of our clients.  We understand how Hartford operates when evaluating disability claims and how to build a strategy to secure your benefits.  Below we will discuss the common tactics Hartford uses to deny disability claims and what strategies work best against Hartford.

Continue Reading

Riemer Convinces Court to Award Wide-Ranging Discovery against Hartford

News Hartford Discovery

In Jacoby v. Hartford, 254 F.R.D. 477 (S.D.N.Y. 2009), the Federal District in New York City ordered Hartford to produce thousands of pages of documents pertaining to Hartford’s inherent conflict of interest. Rejecting Hartford’s claims of confidentiality and burdensomeness, the Court ordered Hartford to respond to plaintiff’s interrogatories and document demands, including the full production of Hartford’s BMS Claims Manual and SIU Reference Manual. The Court also rejected Hartford’s claim that documents held by its consulting firms Medical Advisory Group and University Disability Consortium were not within its “possession, custody or control.”
This decision is a valuable precedent because it provides a possible solution to the dilemma of being whipsawed between the insurance company and its consultants. When seeking documents, each entity claims that the other has the sole duty of producing the requested documents. In this case, the Court rejected Hartford's assertion that the documents held by its consultants, Medical Advisory Group and University Disability Consortium were outside Hartford's control. The Court ordered Hartford to use its influence with its consultants to obtain the requested documents. The Court held:

Continue Reading

Plaintiff with Bipolar Disorder Permitted to Sue as "John Doe"

News Hartford Preparation for Litigation Diagnosis - Bipolar Disorder Challenges

A claimant suffering from bipolar disorder may bring a Lawsuit Disability New York under a fictitious name in order to preserve his privacy. Riemer Hess convinced the federal district court in New Jersey to allow our client to serve as the lead plaintiff in a class action, using the name "John Doe" instead of his real name. Our client was very concerned that if he used his real name that he would be stigmatized as having bipolar disorder, causing him embarrassment and preventing him from working in the future. The Court agreed, holding:

Continue Reading
leave work protected nyc long term disability attorney