If your long-term disability claim has been denied in Spokane, it’s critical to understand your rights and the best course of action for appealing the decision. There is usually a limited window of time to appeal a denied claim, so you must act quickly.
Your first step is thoroughly reviewing your denial letter to understand why your claim was denied. This will help you to know what needs to be done to build a strong appeal.
Next, you should consult an experienced long-term disability lawyer to discuss your case and get advice on how to proceed. Your lawyer should be an expert in local Spokane laws, Washington State laws, and federal ERISA law. A qualified long-term disability lawyer can help you understand the complexities of the appeal process, gather evidence to support your claim, and significantly improve your chances of success.
Many factors can influence the outcome of your claim, so it’s crucial that you understand what to expect and have proper guidance throughout the process. Let’s discuss a few important things you should know.
3 things you should know if you’re denied disability in Spokane
1. Your location will be a factor in your claim
Every state has its own unique laws. These laws will determine how your case will be handled and what your insurance company can and cannot do.
Washington State’s disability insurance laws are uniquely complicated. Moreover, the rules can vary between different regions of the state.
Because you live in Spokane, your case falls within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Washington. This area comprises 20 counties in Eastern Washington, generally east of the summit of the Cascade Mountains, including Spokane and Yakima.
The Eastern District has different local civil and criminal rules than the Western District, which includes Seattle and Tacoma. Your disability lawyer must understand these differences, which will impact the appeal process.
Also, Washington State laws will always apply to your case. This is true whether it’s an individual disability insurance policy or an employer-sponsored plan governed by federal ERISA law.
Learn about the difference between ERISA and Individual Disability Insurance.
Map of the Eastern District of Washington:
Source: https://www.waed.uscourts.gov
2. Your case is likely governed by ERISA
Is your insurance policy provided through your employer in Spokane? If so, it is most likely governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, better known as ERISA.
All of the major employers in the Spokane area have ERISA-governed insurance plans for their employees. This includes the State of Washington, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, Cisco, and BlueStar Technologies.
ERISA is a federal law that is notoriously complex, with unforgiving rules that are constantly changing and easy to miss. Only an attorney with expertise in this specific area of the law should handle an ERISA appeal.
3. It’s essential to hire the right disability lawyer
Hiring the right disability lawyer could be the most crucial decision you make in your fight for disability benefits. It can be easy to assume that any disability lawyer will do, but this is far from the truth.
For example, long-term disability law vastly differs from the laws governing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). That’s why you should only entrust your long-term disability appeal with a lawyer specializing in this area.
What to look for in a disability lawyer in Spokane:
- Someone who specializes in long-term disability and ERISA
- Someone who is an expert in Washington State and local laws
- Someone with a winning track record in your area
Don’t gamble with your disability insurance claim. Especially in ERISA cases, there are no second chances if you make a mistake in your appeal.
With the help of the right disability law firm, you can significantly improve your chances of winning the long-term disability benefits you deserve.
Get the help of an experienced Spokane disability lawyer
Roy Law Group can handle your case without you ever having to step foot in our offices. We can handle everything 100% remotely.
We are experts in local Spokane laws, Washington State disability law, and federal ERISA law. Our entire law firm is 100% dedicated to disability law and nothing else.
Contact us today for free advice on your denied claim. If we take on your case, we’re fighting a winning battle.