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Teal & Montgomery
Attorney who is a medical doctor
Part of our Winning Team

Many people purchase disability insurance, privately or through an employer, believing they are carefully preparing for possible accidental injuries or medical problems that might someday keep them from performing their jobs and providing for their families. The whole point of paying faithfully into this plan is to ensure that if something unforeseen and debilitating occurs, you and your family will not be left in the cold. You will have compensation to replace what is lost by your missing income and funds to afford the medical care you need.

Now, the day has arrived. After years of faithfully putting money into your disability insurance policy, the company is now making you jump through hoops as you try to apply for benefits, or they are flat out rejecting your claim and refusing to compensate you. They may use excuses and claim:

  • Your payments were late.
  • Your particular disability is not covered in your policy.
  • Your disability is not verified by the company

Is Your Disability Insurance Company Acting In Bad Faith?

Bad faith involves fraudulent deception of another person or the purposeful or malicious refusal to enact a duty or obligation required by a contractual agreement, such as refusing to compensate for rightful insurance claims. If an insurance company is acting in bad faith, an example might be denying a claim made for a specific disability that is plainly included in your written and documented policy. Other examples of bad faith might be:

  • Reducing or denying payment without a reasonable cause for doing so
  • Failing to acknowledge or respond promptly to claims
  • Failing to pay a covered claim because of failure to conduct proper, prompt and thorough investigation of a claim
  • Attempting to settle a claim for less than what a reasonable person would have expected to be entitled to
  • Requesting onerous and arduous documentation or other paperwork
  • Altering policies or any other claim paperwork without notice
  • Any kind of fraud
  • And much more

What about a Denied Social Security Disability Claim?

If you have been denied a just claim for your Social Security Disability or SSI benefits, it is highly advantageous for you to submit an appeal as quickly as possible. There is often a 60-day deadline; if you miss your window, your chances of winning an appeal and gaining rightful compensation may be out the window. Contact legal representation quickly, in order to get your appeal request officially documented as quickly as possible.

Should you file a new application?

It is typically at some stage in the Social Security disability appeals process that a claimant may have the greatest possibility of winning a claim and being awarded benefits. It is unlikely you will be awarded benefits from filing a completely new claim. Filing a new application, whether someone advised that was a good idea or because you missed the appeal deadline, may be a waste of valuable time. Contact and secure a dedicated disability attorney in Sacramento today.

At Teal & Montgomery, our decades of knowledge and practice dealing with insurance companies in regards to injury cases also applies to our knowledge of other types of insurance claims, including disability claims arising from illness or chronic medical conditions.

What to Do After a Denial

If your disability claim has been denied, you want to act quickly with your next steps to make sure you have every available chance at a successful appeal. It would be wise to take these steps as soon as you receive your denial.

  • Investigate why your case was denied.
  • Consider hiring a qualified and experienced disability lawyer to help you appeal the denial.
  • Contact the Social Security office (or your attorney) and request an appeal.
  • Collect any and all documentation to provide your attorney with adequate information.

Contact A California Disability Appeals Attorney

Our team of dedicated, skilled personal injury attorneys in Sacramento and Santa Rosa includes a doctor who is also a lawyer. We are able to evaluate medical records and prepare compelling arguments in support of your appeal after a disability claim has been denied.

We welcome you to contact us by phone or e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation at your convenience. An experienced Sacramento denied disability claim attorney can visit you in your home or hospital if necessary.