Oakland Long-Term Disability Lawyer
Skilled Long-Term Disability Attorneys Serving Oakland, CA
Most people don’t give long-term disability any thought — until they need it. At the time when they are feeling most vulnerable, they get thrown into a tangle of insurance claims and bureaucracy. When you have suffered a disabling injury or illness, the last thing you want to do is navigate this world of insurance, and yet this is what you are left with if you are unable to work due to your disability. While most individuals have no experience with disability claims and insurance benefits, a skilled Oakland long-term disability lawyer does this every day. At Pillsbury & Coleman, we have dedicated our careers to helping people who are living with a long-term disability get the help they are entitled to and deserve.
The Confusing World of Long-Term Disability Insurance
If you have suffered a disability, you may have access to many different avenues for financial help. But each has its downfalls alongside its advantages.
While you are desperate for help when you cannot work, insurers will require that you prove your disability to their criteria, fill out vast amounts of paperwork, and often see their doctors who may or may not have your best interests in mind. Having the experienced advocacy of an Oakland long-term disability lawyer can help you navigate this confusing world of insurance claims.
Federal and State-Based Disability Options
In California, we have both federal and state options for long-term disability benefits. In addition to SSDI and SSI benefits, we also have short-term availability through California State Disability Insurance or SDI. Unfortunately, these take a tremendous amount of time and effort to navigate with complicated high standards for approval. Consequently, they also have high rates of denial. In the meantime, you need help immediately.
Private Long-Term Disability Providers
You may have access to disability benefits through a policy offered by your employer or one you privately purchased. Many major insurance companies offer long-term disability policies to employers. These are marketed as financial assistance for disabled individuals to offset expenses while they are unable to work.
While this is theoretically of great benefit to someone who has been disabled, insurance companies are profitable businesses that will take every opportunity not to pay disability claims, especially ones that are long-term or catastrophic in nature.
Because of this, many individuals who are facing a long-term disability also face additional complications by the very industry that is supposed to protect them. Many legitimate claims are denied outright. At Pillsbury & Coleman, our Oakland long-term disability lawyers understand insurance denial tactics and have years of experience fighting unfair denials.
Most long-term disability policies offered through employers are governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). This federal law provides procedures and timelines that must be followed in long-term disability claims. If you are applying for long-term disability benefits or your claim was denied, we have extensive experience with complicated ERISA laws and can help you with your claim.
When Should You Hire an Oakland Long-Term Disability Lawyer?
Disability claims should never be left to chance. This is your life and your future. As soon as you have suffered a disability and are unable to work, getting the representation and guidance of an Oakland long-term disability attorney can be essential to the success of your claim. At Pillsbury & Coleman, LLP, we can help you
- Prepare and file your claim
- Help you appeal a claim denial
- Enlist experts to support your claim
- Conduct negotiations for a fair settlement
- Prepare and represent you in a lawsuit against the insurer
Because we do this every day, we know what insurers look for, what questions are asked (and what the wrong answers are), and how to get the correct information from doctors and other professionals to support your claim. When you are facing a long-term disability, the experienced Oakland long-term disability lawyers at Pillsbury & Coleman, LLP are with you each step of the way.
Contact An Oakland Long-Term Disability Lawyer For Peace of Mind
If you have sustained a life-challenging disability, contact us to see how we can help.