Long Term Disability

According to the Council for Disability Awareness, one out of three workers entering the employment market will become disabled before they retire. That’s a stunning statistic. It will be ignored by almost everyone. Why? Because, “It won’t happen to me, that kind of thing happens to the other guy.”

Only after there is a serious injury do employees look around in a panic to see what’s available to cover the bills.

Long Term Disability Causes

It may be surprising, but most long term disabilities (about 90%) are due to illness, not accidents. Top on the list are strained muscles and backs, followed by a tie between nerve damage and circulation disorders. Cancer comes in at fourth place.

With this picture of long term disabilities arising from disease rather than sudden accidental injury, the ‘one in three’ statistic starts to make more sense. You don’t have to climb ladders or lift heavy items to have a stroke. Any number of random ills can keep someone out of work for several months.

Where does a Montana long-term disability lawyer come in?

Just like with other types of claims, insurance companies make the most money when they pay out the least. There is a real profit-driven motivation to deny claims. And unlike with public aid (Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income) the decision process is not transparent. The lack of transparency is a recipe for abuse. For instance, an insurance company may claim that an injury or disease isn’t as serious as you claim. They may even accuse you of ‘working the system’ or fraud.

A Montana personal injury attorney who deals with disability claims will first examine the documentation that justifies the claim (and make recommendations if this needs to be improved). They will then use this to negotiate with the insurance company on a client’s behalf. Having a skilled lawyer on board changes the dynamic. Insurance companies know they cannot bully or trick an attorney like they might a layperson. They know that an attorney has the ability to take them to court and win, giving them an incentive to settle for a fair amount.

Not all disability claims require the services of an attorney. Some go smoothly because the nature of the disability and the associated costs are clear-cut. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes it helps to have some muscle on your side of the table. If you are unsure of whether or not you need a lawyer, the best bet is to ask. Disability attorneys will examine the basic outlines of your case and let you know if they can help you or not.