In the event of an injury, disability insurance coverage can become a lifeline. Disability coverage comes in short-term and long-term varieties, and for most people, it lasts long enough for them to get back on their feet. However, there are situations in which there can be disputes concerning whether a claim will be approved, or when a person is able to return to work, if ever. This is when an injured person may need to consider their long-term disability options.
What Does Your Disability Coverage Actually Cover?
Do you know what kind of disability coverage you have purchased and what types of scenarios are covered under it? Disability coverage usually provides a portion of your normal wages, anywhere from 50 to 100 percent, for a specific duration of time. In general, short-term disability might cover the first three to six months, but it can also extend for as long as a year under some plans. Long-term disability kicks in only after all short-term disability funds are exhausted, and it can be much harder to be approved for a claim after you have been injured for such a long time. You might also receive reimbursement of your medical expenses under short or long-term disability coverage. In the end, you have to look at your policy to know for sure.
When Long-Term Disability Turns into Permanent Disability
The Social Security Administration has a couple of different programs available for people who are unable to work because of permanent injury, illness, or because they have reached retirement age. Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is the program that is specifically earmarked for people who can no longer support themselves due to a long-term or permanent injury. While SSDI is a wonderful option for people who are not able to work for long stretches of time, it can also take a very long time to get approved for it. If you believe that you are permanently disabled, look at all of your options carefully.
Taking Legal Action When Your Disability Claim is Denied
Any person who becomes injured and learns that their disability insurance provider denied their claim is likely to be upset at the outcome. In many instances, the denial might be hinged upon not receiving requested paperwork in a timely fashion, incomplete medical records, or other innocuous miscommunications. These types of claims are generally resolved fast, with the insured party receiving the claim approval they were seeking in the first place. On the other hand, disability claims can be denied even when it appears that the injured party should have been approved. This is precisely the type of claim that a long term disability attorney should be involved with. You will be taken more seriously by your long-term disability provider when they notice that you have retained legal counsel. Take legal action, and take it swiftly if you have had your claim for disability denied.
Whenever a person cannot work because they have been injured, their first step should be in submitting a short-term disability claim to their insurance company. Even in a best-case scenario, claims are not instantaneously approved, which means that it will take time to receive any financial relief. If you are considering long-term disability and want to know what it is going to mean for your family, consult with a legal expert.
