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First Responder Disability Claims

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Erin Ronstadt Longterm Disability Lawyer

Disability Claims For First Responders

Every day, first responders put their lives on the line to handle dangerous situations quickly and effectively. Whether you are a firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, or any other kind of first responder, you put yourself in harm’s way in order to protect the general public. But what happens when you’re the one who’s injured and in need of assistance? If you are a first responder and you are unable to perform your job due to a disability, you may be able to access your private disability benefits. The experienced team at Ronstadt Law can help you secure the benefits you deserve.

If you are a first responder, your job likely has demanding requirements, including:

  • Being quick on your feet
  • Physical strength
  • Mental acuity
  • Ability to handle dangerous and risky situations

Because of the nature of these job requirements, first responders have jobs that are physically, mentally, and emotionally strenuous. If you become disabled and are unable to meet the requirements of your job, you may be able to use your privately purchased long-term disability benefits.

First Responder Disabling Conditions

There are a number of conditions that would make it difficult or impossible for a first responder to perform their job. These conditions may be the result of your job, but they may also be unrelated to your job. Either way, you may be able to use your private disability benefits if you are unable to work. Conditions that may be disabling if you are a first responder include (but are certainly not limited to):

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can come from head trauma or smoke asphyxiation, and can cause permanent brain damage and neurological impairments. In a profession where quick thinking and ability to focus are paramount in ensuring safety, neurological problems can make it unsafe for you to perform your job as a first responder.

Lacerations, Broken Bones, and Other Types of Physical Trauma

These conditions can lead to a physical impairment or loss of mobility. First responders are always on the move and must be able to act quickly, so a loss of mobility may make it impossible for a first responder to effectively do their job.

Overexertion

Overexertion can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and myriad other physical disabilities. These physical impairments can greatly hinder one’s ability to meet the physical demands of their job as a first responder.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Fatigue

PTSD and fatigue can lead to depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. If you are suffering from PTSD or fatigue, it can be difficult for you to perform the basic activities of your daily life, let alone the strenuous requirements of your job as a first responder.

Medications

Medications can be prescribed to you in order to help with a medical condition, but they can also have severe side effects that may hinder your ability to work. If you are prescribed medication that affects you physically or mentally, you may be unable to safely and effectively perform your job as a first responder.

Don’t see your disabling condition on this list? Don’t worry – this list is by no means exhaustive. Contact us to learn more about how your condition may impact your disability claim.

We Can Help

If you are a first responder and you are unable to work due to a disability, the experienced team at Ronstadt Law can help. The long-term disability claims process can be confusing and stressful, making it difficult for you to get the benefits that you need and deserve. You have enough on your plate – let us help you understand your benefits, file your claim, and secure your benefits. Contact us here for a free consultation regarding your long-term disability claim.

Mark M. | 2021
fivestars

The perfect choice! I’m so pleased that I choose Erin and her team to represent me. She had everything I was looking for in a disability attorney: professional, knowledgeable, respectful, caring and passionate about her work. She was always on point and nothing got passed her! Her team is equally qualified and efficient! 100% no reservations I would recommend her and her team!

Disability Insurance By Occupation

Disability Insurance By Occupation

Disability Claims For First Reponders

Every day, first responders put their lives on the line to handle dangerous situations quickly and effectively. Whether you are a firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, or any other kind of first responder, you put yourself in harm’s way in order to protect the general public. But what happens when you’re the one who’s injured and in need of assistance? If you are a first responder and you are unable to perform your job due to a disability, you may be able to access your private disability benefits. The experienced team at Ronstadt Law can help you secure the benefits you deserve.

If you are a first responder, your job likely has demanding requirements, including:

  • Being quick on your feet
  • Physical strength
  • Mental acuity
  • Ability to handle dangerous and risky situations

Because of the nature of these job requirements, first responders have jobs that are physically, mentally, and emotionally strenuous. If you become disabled and are unable to meet the requirements of your job, you may be able to use your privately purchased long-term disability benefits.

First Responder Disabling Conditions

There are a number of conditions that would make it difficult or impossible for a first responder to perform their job. These conditions may be the result of your job, but they may also be unrelated to your job. Either way, you may be able to use your private disability benefits if you are unable to work. Conditions that may be disabling if you are a first responder include (but are certainly not limited to):

Brain Injuries

Which can come from head trauma or smoke asphyxiation, can cause permanent brain damage and neurological impairments. In a profession where quick thinking and ability to focus is paramount in ensuring safety, neurological problems can make it unsafe for you to perform your job as a first responder.

Lacerations, Broken Bones, and Other types of Physical Trauma

Can lead to a physical impairment or loss of mobility. First responders are always on the move and must be able to act quickly, so a loss of mobility may make it impossible for a first responder to effectively do their job.

Overexertion

Can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and myriad other physical disabilities. These physical impairments can greatly hinder one’s ability to meet the physical demands of their job as a first responder.

PTSD and Fatigue

Can lead to depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. If you are suffering from PTSD or fatigue, it can be difficult for you to perform the basic activities of your daily life, let alone the strenuous requirements of your job.

Medications

Can be prescribed to you in order to help with a medical condition, but they can also have severe side effects that may hinder your ability to work. If you are prescribed medication that affects you physically or mentally, you may be unable to safely and effectively perform your job as a first responder.

Don’t see your occupation on this list? Don’t worry – this list is by no means exhaustive. Contact us to learn more about how your occupation may impact your disability claim.

We Can Help

If you are a first responder and you are unable to work due to a disability, the experienced team at Ronstadt Law can help. The long-term disability claims process can be confusing and stressful, making it difficult for you to get the benefits that you need and deserve. You have enough on your plate – let us help you understand your benefits, file your claim, and secure your benefits. Contact us here for a free consultation regarding your long-term disability claim.

Mark M. | 2021
fivestars

The perfect choice! I’m so pleased that I choose Erin and her team to represent me. She had everything I was looking for in a disability attorney: professional, knowledgeable, respectful, caring and passionate about her work. She was always on point and nothing got passed her! Her team is equally qualified and efficient! 100% no reservations I would recommend her and her team!

Disability Insurance By Occupation

Disability Insurance By Occupation

Advocacy Experience

20+ Years Collective
Disability Advocacy Experience

Disability Benefits

Secured Millions
in Disability Benefits

Insurance Bad Faith

Exclusively Practicing
in ERISA and Insurance Bad Faith

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for short-term disability or long-term disability through your firm?

Yes, as long as you already have coverage, we can help you submit the necessary “proof of loss,” or claim forms, to initiate a claim. If you have a short-term or long-term disability benefits policy through an employer or that you purchased privately with an insurance carrier, such as Cigna, MetLife, Hartford, Guardian, or the like, we can help you with the process of applying and understanding your coverage. 

How do I apply for short-term disability and/or long-term disability benefits through my employer?
Typically, the application documents are available through your employer’s Human Resources Department or you can request them from the insurance carrier directly. We recommend sending your requests for “proof of loss,” or application documents, in writing if there is not a clear process in place. Before applying for disability benefits, we can help you fully understand your coverage and how to start the process for the best possible outcome.
Can I work while receiving short-term disability and/or long-term disability benefits?
This entirely depends on your private disability coverage. Some plans will allow a person to work while receiving disability benefits. This is dependent on the terms of your individual policy or employer’s plan. Sometimes, working while receiving disability benefits could negatively impact your claim, because of the way these plans define disability. 
My long-term disability benefits claim was denied. Why did this happen?

Insurance companies deny or terminate claims for many reasons. One common reason is the purported failure to meet the definition of “disability.” Many long-term disability policies have changes in the definition of “disability” after 24 months of benefits, requiring you to be disabled not just from your “own occupation,” but from “any occupation.” The insurance company will frequently “cherry pick” your medical records, even retain an “independent” medical reviewer to build evidence against you, despite the fact that you’ve never been personally evaluated by that reviewer. Although the road ahead can seem difficult, don’t give up on disability benefits you rightfully deserve. Insurance companies often count on you not fighting your benefits, thus saving them from paying you for the months – and often years – of benefits to which you’re entitled. We’ve secured millions of dollars in benefits for our clients and can help you, too. Contact us, and we will help investigate and explain why this happened and how to can help. 

Can the insurance company rely on other doctors’ opinions besides my own doctors?
To best answer this question, we would need to review your policy documents and look at your particular claim. In many cases, yes, they can. It is very common for the insurance company to hire independent doctors to conduct reviews, and they are allowed to do it in most cases. They usually do not have to defer to your treating providers, although their failure to do so is something that we address all of the time. Under the federal law that governs most of these benefits, the standard is whether the insurance company’s reliance on the independent reviewers over your treating providers was reasonable, and there’s much that goes into this analysis.
Should I apply for SSDI?
In most circumstances, the answer is yes. Under most employer sponsored disability plans, you’re required to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, assuming you are eligible under Social Security’s rules. Most plans and group disability policies allow the insurance company to reduce your monthly benefits amount by the amount you receive in Social Security Disability benefits. This is so the insurance company can reduce its financial liability and the amount it pays you each month. There is little downside to applying for Social Security Disability benefits if you are qualified; doing so can protect your retirement and qualify you for Medicare. If you don’t apply for Social Security Disability benefits, know that the insurance company may have the right to reduce your long-term disability benefits by what you would otherwise receive in Social Security Disability benefits. Our firm can refer you to a Social Security attorney and help fight for the benefits you deserve.
The insurance company claims they can deduct the amount I’m receiving in SSDI from my monthly LTD benefit amount. Can they do that?
We would need to see your policy documents to verify whether they have this right, but most of the time, they are allowed to do it. It’s a very common offset found in disability policies. If you have your policy, there is a section typically about deductible sources of income or that is commonly called other income benefits. The information could be in there if you want to verify whether they have the right. However, if you have not been awarded SSDI benefits yet and you have been denied disability benefits, then the insurance company might be precluded from collecting offsets from you. That would be a separate issue to discuss down the road.

 

Should I resign from my job if I need to go out on disability?
Not without speaking with an attorney first. Don’t resign, enter into a severance agreement, or make any retirement decisions without first fully understanding the impact on your disability benefits. Any resignation or severance agreement may impact your eligibility for disability benefits, and there are ways to sever employment while still protecting your disability benefits. Contact the Firm for a policy/plan document review.

 

Can I submit a claim for private disability benefits if I was injured at work?
The answer depends on your policy. With respect to disability benefits through a private or employer-sponsored policy, disability benefits may be reduced by “other income,” which could include worker’s compensation. You should make sure to pursue any worker’s compensation options available to you if you have been injured at work. We focus exclusively on disability benefits law for residents in Arizona and often work in conjunction with attorneys specialized in other areas of law and can provide excellent referrals.

 

Does the law require my employer to provide me with private disability coverage?
No. But if an employer decides to offer disability insurance, then usually, the federal statute ERISA governs those disability insurance benefits. Because disability benefits are not a requirement of employers to provide in the workplace, employers are generally allowed to draft or purchase coverage as they see fit. ERISA does not mandate that certain types of disabilities must be covered, or how much of a monthly benefit an employee should be provided. For example, employers can exclude certain disabilities from coverage, such as mental nervous conditions, or adopt very strict criteria for obtaining benefits. For this reason, if you have coverage through your employment, it is imperative to obtain and fully understand your plan/policy documents to determine the particulars of your coverage. We can help you, even in providing guidance on how to request documents (hint: put the request in writing!).

 

TESTIMONIALS

I am so grateful for Erin and the entire firm! Erin and her team are warm friendly and took the time to get to know me and my case. Erin is passionate about her work, honest and informative; she made sure I understood the process of appealing my case and the reality of how long it could potentially take. Erin and her team made sure to keep me up to date on where my case was at all times. There is no way I can say thank you enough to Erin and her team!!

Molly H | Tucson – 2018

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Marshall S. | Tempe – 2018

Five star

“Erin is a competent and caring attorney.”

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