According to The American Heart Association, death rates from heart disease among diabetics are two to four times higher than those who are not diabetic. Not surprisingly, researchers have been focusing on care for diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases.A recent editorial published by Dr. Mark Hlatky in the New England Journal of Medicine argues that…
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As a Greater New Orleans disability attorney, I have had quite a few people approach me with the following scenario: I applied for and was granted long-term disability benefits under my employee benefit plan. I also applied for Social Security Disability. While I was waiting for a Social Security Disability decision, the LTD insurance paid…
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In Hamilton v. Standard Insurance Company, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal upheld the insurer’s decision to deny long-term disability benefits to a disabled worker. In this case, a phone company employee submitted a claim for long-term disability benefits alleging MS, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease. The long-term disability insurer denied the claim and the Court’s…
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You have been receiving long-term disability benefits for about 12-18 months and then you receive a letter from the insurance company that says something like this: According to the provision of your group policy, in order to be eligible for LTD benefits you must meet the following definition of disability: Total Disability or Totally Disabled…
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As a Louisiana disability lawyer, I have been asked to explain the difference between short-term disability benefits and long-term disability benefits on more than one occasion. This is my attempt to explain the differences and similarities as briefly as possible. Short-term disability insurance is designed to pay you benefits quicker and for a shorter period…
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If you have long-term disability insurance through your work, and you have received long-term disability benefits under that policy, you need to be aware of the disability offset provisions. Most likely, your disability policy contains language that allows the long-term disability insurance company to deduct (or offset) any amounts you receive from other sources for…
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Long-term disability insurance companies will tell you that they are serving a vital niche for disabled Americans and giving Louisiana workers a safety net when they fall ill. These insurance giants, (like Unum, The Hartford, and many others) spend millions each on marketing their virtues each and every year. But their dirty little secret is…
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That’s the ruling in the recently released United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal case of Lauren Bray v. Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company (No. 07-11001 filed March 9, 2009). The Fifth Circuit upheld the District Court’s opinion that Fort Dearborn’s decision to stop Bray’s “own occupation” long-term disability benefits was an abuse of discretion in this ERISA benefits…
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Following up on our 9 part series of What You Need To Know Before You File Your Long Term Disability Claim, here is a list of 8 Actions You Should Do (plus 1 you shouldn’t) Before You File For Long-Term Disability Benefits: 1) READ your long-term disability insurance policy; 2) TALK to your doctor about…
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You will be trying to get money from a long-term disability provider that wants to keep it. They have employed and trained people to put you at ease and lull you into a sense of ease. The trained staff will appear to be helping you fill out the forms and gather information. Do not fall…
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