The explosive growth in mental and nervous disorder disability claims in the United States is all too familiar to Americans.  “Depression” and “bipolar” are in common usage by the public.

Excessive working hours, financial and family pressures and sleep deprivation are major factors.  In the United States we live a fast paced life in a driven society. 

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 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, some cope with anti-depressants and sleep medications. Others hunker down and withdraw, becoming more and more depressed.  Still others become addicted to alcohol, drugs or food. All of them hope the ill winds eventually blow over.  Is there any wonder why coping seems harder and harder?



Mental and nervous disorders, including depression and addiction, are unlike other disability claims. The medical evidence necessary to establish such a psychiatric disability claim is far more stringent than required for proving a physical disability, because mental illness is not always easy to diagnose. 

Insurance companies are likely to reject these types of claims for three main reasons:

• Insurance companies love to deny claims and keep the money they would otherwise have to pay out.

 

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

 

• The "wimp" factor which applies to all disability claimants., but especially to those with mental illness.  

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.  Such an advocate knows how to cut through the endless paper chase and the many nonsensical insurer “reasons” for delay or denial of benefits. If a claimant with a psychiatric disability wants relief, a lawyer with psychiatric claim experience is essential.

Most importantly, the experienced lawyer knows what medical reports should be furnished with the claim documents.  Lack of precision here can make or break a claim. The experienced lawyer also knows what personal information, especially concerning psychiatric or neurological disability, should not be given to an insurer even if they scream bloody murder for it. 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 and addiction.  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 can 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 clearly 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 or an addicition problem.  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