Private Disability Insurance Law

    Private disability income insurance is sold as protection in the event of long-term injury or illness. But when the time comes to file a claim, you may need protection from your own insurance company!  (You should read the "wimp" factor). 

    The best way to get this protection is to contact an experienced disability insurance claims attorney who has been fighting just these types of cases for 30 years.

    If you are about to file a disability income insurance claim or your claim has been stalled or rejected, contact attorney Mike Quiat . A senior partner at the law firm of Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C., Mike handles wrongful denial of claims under New Jersey and New York private disability income insurance law and Erisa. He has practiced law for more than 30 years and has prevailed against the biggest insurance companies.

The Bigger They Are…

    Not all insurance carriers provide private long-term disability income insurance. This is both good and bad for you. The downside is that the near-monopoly gives the companies in the business (Unum, Prudential, Met Life, Cigna) immense power to deny claims. On the positive side, Mike Quiat has fewer companies to deal with and is well aware of the specific tactics they use to deny and minimize claims. He has developed his own effective strategies for compelling  disability income insurers to own up to the full legal obligations they owe their policyholders.

Private Disability Insurance Claims

    Long-term disability insurance is generally offered in group plans through employers ERISA claims, or through private policies purchased directly by individuals. Many seeking to protect their incomes in the event of medical disaster, choose private plans because they typically offer better benefits than an employer-sponsored plan, or because the insureds are self-employed.  Others supplement Erisa with private disability income insurance policies so as to cover as many bases as possible.

    Disability income insurance replaces all or part of your earnings if you become unable to work because of a disabling injury or long-term illness (regardless of whether the illness or injury is work-related). However, your claim runs into the best-kept dirty secret of the industry - a policy of some insurers to deny a large number of initial claims, whether or not they are valid.

     Even if you have established a long-term disability claim and are receiving benefits, in these cash-strapped times for insurance companies, they are always looking for ways to generate cash by buying out claims and settlements on terms beneficial to them and not so good for claimants.  Claimants need a knowledgeable advocate in their corner to help them through the complex details of a buyout and to make sure they get their fair share of the benefits.
   

     It doesn't matter whether the litigation is in federal or state court. Mike is very familiar with federal, New Jersey and New York private disability insurance laws, including "bad faith" law. And, unlike Erisa, where claimants may have limited rights, plaintiffs in private disability cases have full legal rights, including trial by jury.

• Prove the disability
• Demonstrate that the disability prevents you from performing your job

    The key to proving "disability" is the definition of the word in your policy.  If the definition in your policy is "own occupation", then benefits will be paid if you are disabled so that you cannot perform your “own occupation” (occupation-specific disability).  If the definition is "any occupation", then you will be paid if you are unable to perform “any occupation”.

       Usually the key to proving the nature and extent of your disability and how it applies to your occupation lies in the hands of your physician.  Your disability medical reports require special and knowledgeable attention.  And, it is vitally important to your claim that the initial reports you file are complete, accurate and relevant.  Don't start off on the wrong foot in making your disability claim!

    Mike Quiat examines the terms and exclusions of your policy and advises on the viability of your claim. It may be as simple as getting a doctor to certify your disability, or there may be complex legal issues that could go either way in court. In any case, you are assured of honest legal counsel and aggressive representation by a  professional experienced in just the area you need -  disability income insurance law.

  
    Contact Mike Quiat to discuss your private policy claim  He is dedicated to responsive, knowledgeable legal representation.  Mike will answer your inquiry promptly and keep you informed and involved throughout the process.

 800-797-5575