Private Long Term Disability Insurance Can Come To The Rescue Of An Injured Worker

Every year thousands of people suffer from disability owing to injury or sickness. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders that include pain in the neck, back, joints, and disorders in the foot, ankle, and hand; and life threatening diseases like diabetes and cancer, not to mention different types of accidents can impair a person’s ability to indulge in any type of  meaningful work for an extended period of time. Any injury, illness, or psychological disorders can be an incredibly devastating experience since it can force people to default on their payments that may lead to foreclosure and, under extreme circumstances, even bankruptcy. Long term disability insurance coverage can be of great help for  disabled workers since it can help them keep their head above water for the time they are unable to resume work. Long term disability insurance is generally provided by the employers and in cases when it is not, the individuals can contact a private long term disability insurance company for insurance coverage. Disability Insurance (often called DI or disability income insurance) will pay a portion of the worker’s salary till the time he is unable to work or the time period mentioned in the contract.

Private long term disability insurance coverage picks up from where the short term disability insurance coverage leaves off. Short term insurance coverage usually has a time period of three to six months and pays up to 40-60 per cent of a temporary disabled worker’s base salary. Long term disability insurance generally replaces a disabled worker’s 60 per cent salary though certain plans can help injured workers receive up to 70 or 80 per cent of their salary. Benefits may vary depending upon the person’s age, occupation, and the type of policy coverage, though it must be understood beforehand that no policy will pay 100 per cent of the injured worker’s salary for the fear that it may prevent him from returning to work even after recuperating fully from injury. Benefits usually last for a certain fixed period of time or till the worker attains the age of retirement (as a worker by that age, anyways will not be dependent on the income generated during the regular course of work).

A long term disability insurance company are required by the law to pay premiums and other benefits to a disabled worker in accordance with terms and conditions of the policy agreement. But it is often seen that private insurance companies indulge in bad faith practices. A disabled worker already reeling under the blow of fate is made to suffer more hardships by some unscrupulous agencies that resort to a wide variety of tricks to deny legitimate insurance claims. An aggrieved party should immediately consult a good lawyer if the pre-set rules and regulations are not being followed by the concerned insurance company. Good lawyers will fight for your right and help you get additional compensation for the losses resulting out of bad faith practices.

People who are interested in private long term disability insurance coverage must also understand that organizations charge higher premiums for insurance policies that provide more monthly benefits, pay for an extended period of time, and also make prompt payment in an event of an injury or sickness leading to long term disability.

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How To Get The Best Long Term Disability Insurance Claim?

You enrol into a long term disability insurance plan with the best of intentions. When you are not able to work any longer because of some physical disability, you get a fixed monthly income that takes care of your retirement life. Things work well till you retire – that is, you keep on paying the premium. When you go and claim the amount that is legally due to you, insurance companies employ dodging tactics. That is when you need the help of an attorney.

Before going into details about how a lawyer can help you in long term disability insurance claims, here is a basic overview of the insurance plan.

An overview of disability insurance

In the old days, disability insurance was nothing but a pension scheme. The employer paid the premiums, and the employee would get a monthly claim amount when they suffered a disability. These days, anybody can pay the premium:

• Employers can pay 100 per cent premium.
• Employees can pay 100 per cent premium.
• Employers and employees can jointly pay the premium based on mutually accepted percentages.

Many people consider it as good investment that acts as a buffer against the need to work even when they suffer a disability. Often, the monthly benefits from the disability insurance claim range from 50-70 per cent of the actual monthly income of the insured person.

That is in theory; in practice, there can be a great deal of difficulties. Troubles start when one approaches the insurance company. They will ask you a number of questions, and force out answers from you. As a law-abiding citizen, you give honest answers that can be twisted and used against you at a later stage.

Some insurance officials might even send people after the claimant to photograph the person doing some normal activities – like picking some mildly heavy products from the shopping malls or doing gardening work. They will use the photographs to suggest that the person does not have any disability at all and thus is not entitled to put in a claim for compensation.

Then you will be forced to search for a slip and fall attorney New York. There are basically two options for you to hire a lawyer:

1.Before approaching the insurance companies for claims
2.After approaching the insurance companies for claims

Before the approach

This is the best option. As mentioned earlier, the insurance companies might use the information that the claimant provided to deny the claim. If you have an attorney on your side, you can prevent that from happening. An experienced lawyer will easily understand what the insurance official is getting at, and provide suitable answers. In fact, the mere sight of a lawyer with the claimant will make the insurance official think differently.

After the approach

This is kind of a worst case scenario. Sometimes, the damage may have already been done. Experienced attorneys always find a way to ensure that their clients get the claim amount they deserve.

If you are hiring a lawyer when all other options have been failed, you must try and select the best and most experienced long term disability insurance lawyer around. Only they will be able to ensure the best out of the court settlement for the insured person.

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Deciding If You Need To Approach Slip And Fall Lawyers New York

If your injuries are do not seem serious, should you approach slip and fall lawyers New York (or wherever you reside)? Or, if you have serious injuries, but you are not sure if the owner of the building is liable to pay damages, should you approach a lawyer at all? Questions like these create doubts in the minds of slip and fall victims. Should they approach a lawyer if they don’t know who is at fault for the accident?

Most victims of slip and fall injuries are denied compensation on various grounds. A lot of these people do not realize that had they enlisted the support of a dedicated slip and fall attorney, their case might have been strengthened. Then, the insurance company would have been more amenable to paying compensation.

Therefore, if you have already approached the insurance company and your claim has been denied, you should not give up. Instead, find slip and fall lawyers New York, or wherever you are based, to explore the possibility of negotiations with the insurance company. Without the required legal knowledge, you cannot begin to assess your case in the right way. A personal injury lawyer would have that knowledge. Therefore, asking for their opinion about the case is important for you decide whether you want to contest the insurance company’s decision.

Fixing responsibility

The attorney will first of all investigate if the liability rests on the owner of premises. While many victims believe that their injuries are a result of their own clumsiness, a lot of personal injuries can be avoided if owners maintain their property carefully. Something as innocuous as a broken tile or water on the walkway would cause serious slip and fall injuries.

Therefore, the attorney will study your case and determine if there has been negligence on part of the premises owner or whoever is responsible for maintaining the building or the area. You could help the attorneys by providing them as much information as possible. Ideally, taking a photograph right after the accident will help strengthen your case and provide evidence to help you claim compensation.

Help in troubled times

There is a second reason to approach slip and fall attorneys. In the aftermath of an accident that leaves you injured, you would find it difficult to work, or fulfill your daily routine. If your loved one has been injured in an accident, they would require help with the smallest of tasks. It could include filing paperwork, or it could be something more intricate, such as negotiating with insurance companies. In either case, going it alone would be difficult and you should have the assistance of a capable attorney.

Do not, decide on your own if your case for higher compensation has merit.  Let an attorney offer you his expert advice. Slip and fall lawyers, New York, should be selected based on their skills, knowledge, and past success in helping clients get compensation. Choose lawyers by their specialization. If you have been injured in a construction accident, enlist the help of a construction accident attorney New York, if you reside in New York and surrounding areas.

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Long Term Disability Insurance Companies Can Help You In A Crisis

Sunny weather often makes people forget about rainy days. Likewise,  many workers think that disability causing accidents or illness is stuff that can only happen to others and their own chances of becoming disabled are nil. Unfortunately, the statistics and studies conducted by various organizations reveal an entirely different picture. Studies show that 25 per cent of workers aged from 20-40 have serious chances of suffering from some type of disability before they retire. A study by American Council of Life Insurers discloses that one in seven workers will suffer from some serious injury or ailment that is expected to put them out of work for at least five years which is a long period to spend without a steady source of income. If you are insured then long term disability insurance company can replace a portion of your salary that would go a long way in keeping you afloat.

Spinal cord injuries, muscles, foot, hand and tendon disorders, back pain, joint pain, arthritis, etc. along with life threatening diseases like diabetes and cancer are the major causes of disability. A disability can be both physically and mentally devastating since the loss of income can force many people to take drastic steps like defaulting on their loans and mortgage payments (that often results in foreclosure), and even declaring bankruptcy. A long term disability often can often have long term consequences. Disabled workers can tap into their savings to get by for some time but as the days turn into months and months into years they start feeling the pinch. This is where the long term disability insurance companies can really help. Long term disability insurance provides you with a steady income that is usually around 60 per cent of your income for an extended period of time.

It is a sad but true fact that quite a few private long term disability insurance companies are not exactly paragons of virtue. Some unscrupulous agencies do not like it to play fair for the simple reason that more claims settlement literally transforms into a weak balance sheet. They usually deny legitimate claims or indulge in underpayment. Some states have established laws that consider such malpractices by these insurance companies as ‘bad faith’. Policyholders who have been victims of bad faith practices are entitled to additional compensation apart from receiving policy benefits. Bad faith conduct could result in loss of property, loss of savings or equity, inability to pay medical bills, and emotional distress caused by foreclosure and bankruptcy. People who believe that their long term disability claims have been unfairly dismissed should consult expert long term disability insurance lawyers.

Many organizations tie up with long term disability insurance companies to provide disability insurance covers to their employees.  For those workers whose organizations do not provide such insurance covers, they have the option of buying their own policies. Premiums for long term disability insurance for such individuals vary according to the state, occupation, and type of benefits covered. Insurers who provide wider benefits and take lesser time in processing claims command higher premiums.

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New York Personal Injury Lawyers Consider Structured Settlements As Bedrock For Personal Injury Victims

Last year, a research study concluded that there is likely to be a 2% increase in the growth rate of businesses for personal injury lawyers.

 A key reason cited is that in an aging population, “slip and fall” accidents are expected to rise.

Moreover, in cities like New York personal injury lawyers believe auto injury cases will rise as well. This is based on the premise that both the frequency of the claims and claim amounts are climbing upwards.

 How does this entire scenario augur for plaintiffs to get claims in the future?

An accident attorney New York and elsewhere generally believes that negotiation of structured settlements can be the answer. Even today, this is a growing trend in the legal industry.

What is a structured settlement?

Whenever a personal injury case is settled in favor of the plaintiff for a large sum of money, the defendant along with the petitioner’s lawyer in association with a financial planner will propose paying in installments over time.

Such a system of payment is called a “structured settlement.”

According to New York personal injury lawyers, structured settlements benefit both the insurers and plaintiffs.

 It is zero expense and tax free to the carrier, and customized to fit the needs of the claimant.

The question often asked is when do structured settlements become appropriate?

As per some prominent insurance companies, claims for structured settlements are most valid when the claims exceed $50,000 and involve personal injury.

The suitability of structured settlements also depends on the type of injury. For example, a brain injury can cause long-term disability for the victim.

In short, personal injury lawyers must focus on those cases where the demand includes future damages.

According to the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA), the federal code regulates how these settlements are established. In any case, both the insurers and claimants benefit.

Advantages to the claimants and insurers

For claimants, financial security and guaranteed income are two key benefits. Besides, claimants also get options on how settlements can be given.

Insurers benefit as they do not have to add the resource allocated loss adjustment expense (ALAE).

As per an Accident attorney New York and elsewhere, a structured settlement is matchless in features as a tax free source of income for the bodily injured claimant.

In addition, most attorney offices inform that most structured settlement companies provide free services to their clients.

So, it is advantageous all the way for claimants. Not surprisingly, accident attorneys go to great lengths to explain specific tax provisions that encourage the use of structured annuities.

New York personal injury lawyers, today, have more than one reason to push structured settlements in their claims cases. Quicker case closures lead to better efficiency and fewer reserve problems translate into better legal protections.

In a volatile economy, it is imperative than an injured person must get financial security. With all the optimism, we can presume that insurance companies that issue structured settlements are financially strong and maintain a good rating by independent rating agencies.

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Useful Guidelines By An Injury Lawyer In New York

Ask any injury lawyer in New York and he or she will tell you that health care is not free in the United States, rather it is a commodity.

 If people, especially aged, are disabled due to an injury, it is tough going for them.

Even a successful litigation is not enough. The injured person needs assistance that extends beyond resolving litigation.

Future medical costs and long-term care costs can consume the entire compensation received by the injured individual.

 That said, it is still essential to seek legal help if you are injured.

A long-term disability lawyer can make you understand the alternatives available for you when your claims are denied.

 Everyone knows that insurance companies push injured victims into quick and settlements. After all, they are in the business to save money.

An experienced injury lawyer in New York was right when he remarked, “Insurance companies never work for you, and the last thing they want you do to is hire a lawyer.”

When an accident happens, time is on the side of insurance companies because the longer you wait to take legal action, the weaker your case becomes.

It becomes more difficult to get witnesses, physical evidence is removed, and in the worst case scenario, claim filing deadlines runs out.

 Any injury lawyer in New York will tell you that when an individual suffers an accident, he or she is at a loss and does not know what to do. A legal issue is the last thing that comes to the mind of the victim.

Yet, legal issues must be uppermost on your mind, if you are involved in an accident, as negligence is the number one cause in most accidents.

To be safe, an injury lawyer in New York recommends the following actions you must take, if you are involved in a car accident:

• Call the police: It is the police that will decide who was at fault. For insurance companies, it is the police report that matters
• Safeguard evidence: If it is a car accident, do not move evidence. Stay on the spot unless it is absolutely necessary or if the police tells you to do so
• Identify witnesses: Compel the witnesses to cooperate with you by sharing their telephone numbers, address, and any other contact details. You must be quick because witnesses tend to disappear once the police arrives
• Get the other drivers' key information
• Seek medical aid in case you feel you have been injured. Go to an emergency room or contact your family doctor
• Be cautious of what and whom you talk to
• Consult a personal injury attorney at the earliest: The accident requires an investigation by a skilled lawyer because the scene may change and vital marks fade with time

You must remember that in order to have a valid personal injury case, you must prove that the injury was caused due to someone else’s carelessness. After all, in the end, nothing more can come to your rescue than a long term disability claim.

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Why you need a New York Personal Injury Attorney

When you are seeking legal representation due to injuries sustained either physically or emotionally because of the negligence or deliberate wrongdoing of some other party, you should approach a New York personal injury attorney without delay. Personal injury lawyers have special expertise in dealing with cases involving car or truck accidents, employment discriminations, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, medical negligence cases, long term disability insurance cases etc.

A New York personal injury attorney is well versed with all types of legal matters especially tort law which covers civil wrongs or damages caused to any individual’s property, rights or reputation.

How to choose a New York personal injury lawyer firm:

Reputation: You must choose a company that has been serving clients for many years in the field of personal injury cases. The company should employ highly qualified and experienced attorneys with a high degree of expertise in resolving matters of personal injury. You should research into the names of companies obtained from an online search or from referrals by friends and colleagues. You need to verify the company’s track record and credentials and the qualifications of those working here. The local bar association can give you names of reputed and reliable personal injury lawyer firms.

Consultation: You should request for a free consultation with the company you choose to understand better their style of working. The accident lawyers in New York whom you choose, should be approachable and must be able to explain clearly the legal procedures to the client. You should choose lawyers who keep you updated regularly about the progress of the case. Most reputed personal injury attorneys will not charge their prospective clients any consultation fees upfront. However, it is always advisable to find out about the total costs involved before you hire a legal professional.

Communication: When you interact with a personal injury lawyer for the first time, you must offer him all relevant documents pertaining to the case. You should also find out how long he has been practicing in this field of law and how many claims he has hitherto settled successfully. You must find out through your meetings with the lawyer whether you will have to pay for retainer fees or any other additional fees which you may not know about.

Personal injury cases are of different types and you need an experienced New York personal injury attorney who is capable of getting you the monetary compensation you deserve. You should not hire lawyers who demand payments upfront or charge retainer fees. Not all attorneys are capable of handling claims and you need to select those which are specialized in dealing with similar cases in the past. It is always a good idea to go through customer testimonials about a legal firm before you hire them to represent you in a court of law. You need lawyers who are prepared to face trials and fight for your rights till the end. They should be sensitive to client needs and keen to assist people who have been victims of greed, discrimination and negligence.

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