{"id":5564,"date":"2019-04-25T14:05:44","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T21:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.roylawpdx.com\/?p=5564"},"modified":"2021-09-15T18:27:43","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T01:27:43","slug":"erisa-disability-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roylawgroup.com\/blog\/erisa-disability-lawyer","title":{"rendered":"How an ERISA Disability Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filing a long-term disability claim through insurance provided by your employer? This means your claim is governed by a complicated area of law called <\/span>ERISA<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the complexities of this area of law, it\u2019s important to have the support of an ERISA disability lawyer. As an ERISA expert, your lawyer can help you to fulfill strict requirements and avoid potential mistakes so you can get the disability benefits you deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why ERISA is complicated<\/h2>\n

ERISA stands for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974<\/a>, the federal law that regulates employee benefits. ERISA is a continually changing area of law. Its goal is to protect employees and ensure their right to benefits. However, there is nothing straightforward about it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your employer generally does not provide your ERISA disability insurance but hires a big insurance company to do that. While you paid for benefits through your employer, it’s the insurance company that is making the decisions. That same insurer will be looking for ways to deny your claim to increase its bottom line.<\/span><\/p>\n

These insurers hire an army of doctors, experts, and lawyers to go up against you. When you are injured or facing illness, the last thing you want is to traverse this incredibly nuanced and complicated area of law to get the benefits you have paid for and deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your claim is denied and you are faced with an appeal, you should consider hiring an experienced ERISA disability lawyer. \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

How ERISA works for you<\/h2>\n

ERISA sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans provided by employers. It also requires that insurers create and follow a grievance and appeal process<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are highly specific and strict guidelines and timelines associated with the appeal process. Even one missed deadline could mean a denial of your appeal. Unless you are aware of your rights and responsibilities at each stage of your claim, you may miss one of these deadlines without even realizing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

ERISA policies are not like other disability benefits. Disability attorneys that do not specialize in ERISA law might not understand both the basic timeline requirements and how to develop an effective strategy that works within the applicable regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: ERISA vs. Individual Disability Insurance: What You Need to Know<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Build a solid strategy when you’re denied<\/h2>\n

In a long-term disability appeal, there is much critical investigative work taking place by your insurer:<\/span><\/p>\n