It is no secret that there has been explosive growth in mental and nervous
disorder disability claims in the United States.  “Depression” and “bipolar” are
becoming all too familiar to Americans.  

Most of us are continuously subjected to a great number of what psychiatrists
call “stressors”- - excessive working hours, financial pressures, family
pressure, sleep deprivation.  In the United States we live in a fast paced,
driven society, highly competitive, highly complex, and highly pressured. 

The high tech world, designed to make our lives easier, actually makes them more
hectic and stressful, with little time to reflect or for introspection.  New,
revolutionary mobile communications technology (cell phones) make sure you are
never out of touch.  Translated: YOU CAN’T ESCAPE.  It has literally become a
24/7 world with little or no down time.

So, we cope as best we can.  Some take anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, and sleep
medications. Others hunker down and withdraw, becoming more and more depressed,
hoping the ill winds will eventually blow over.  Is there any wonder why coping
seems harder and harder?



Mental and nervous disorders, including depression, as they are commonly
referred to in disability policies, including Erisa policies, are unlike other disability claims.  The medical evidence necessary to establish a psychiatric disability claim is far
different from that for physical disabilities, because these illness are not
always easy to diagnose.  Insurance companies are likely to reject these types of claims for two main reasons:

• People under mental pressure are usually easier to push around.

 

• The "wimp" factor which applies to all disability claimants.  

Particularly in these types of claims a competent, aggressive legal advisor is a
“must” to stand between the claimant and the carrier to keep the playing field
level.  A knowledgeable advocate is necessary to cut through the endless paper
chase and the many nonsensical insurer “reasons” for delay or denial of
benefits, so that a claimant can get the relief a claimant needs and is entitled
to by law.

Most importantly, the experienced lawyer knows medical reports furnished with the claim documents can be the "make or break" of a claim, especially one based on psychiatric or neurological disability.  Full, complete and relevant medical information should be provided right from the start of the claim.

Not every lawyer has the requisite knowledge and experience to
handle mental and nervous disability income claims.  Existence of a mental
illness is not proven with an X-ray or blood test.  The nuances in diagnosing
and treating mental illness cannot be lost on the legal advocate.

Attorney Mike Quiat is highly experienced in psychiatric and neurocognitive claims, particularly those involving depression.  Mike understands the nature of these illnesses and effectively interacts with a treating psychiatrist or psychologist, to help to
prepare a claim competently and effectively.  Mike understands how to evaluate a
so-called “Independent Medical Examination” (IME) bought and paid for by the
insurance carrier, and can size up the validity of personality test results such
as the MMPI.



There should be no illusions - - most disability insurance claims
are hotly-contested adversarial proceedings from the moment a claim is filed. 
For this reason, the best time to hire a lawyer is before filing a disability
income claim.  This helps avoid needless mistakes in dealing with a carrier,
mistakes which c n be fatal to a claim, and have tragic consequences for a
claimant and a family’s future.

So-called “objective evidence” requirements give insurance company claims
processors and administrators huge discretion and latitude in making claims
determinations, with often tragic and catastrophic consequences for claimants. 
And many claimants are forced to cope with arbitrary and capricious denials just
when they are least able, emotionally and medically, to cope with adversity. 
Add to this the growing financial pressure and concern for the future, which a
loss of income from disability necessarily brings, and it becomes harder and
harder to navigate your future without worsening the depression or other
psychiatric condition which disables you.

A lawyer representing a client in these types of proceedings also
consults with his own team of psychiatric experts, to make sure he fully
understands the nature of the condition and how it disables the claimant.  Mike
understands there’s no substitute for a thorough understanding of the condition
which is at the heart of any disability claim.

It is absolutely unwise to go into an adversarial proceeding with
your disability insurance carrier, without your own advocate, particularly on a
claim grounded on a psychiatric or neurocognitive disability.  Too much is at
stake to go it alone.

If you have any doubts about a claim or the claims procedure, call
Mike Quiat now. He’ll make sure you are treated fairly and honestly in pursuing your
disability benefits.
 
  800-575-7797