Tell Us Your Story

If you are ready to get started to see if we can help you, click on the red "tell us your story" button above.

If you are not quite ready, know this: We understand what you are going through. No one files an insurance claim because they are having a great day. You filed (or are planning to file ) a disability insurance claim because something has gone wrong, and having your claim denied just kicks you while you’re down. We can help. We are located in Virginia and help claimants nationwide.

Benefit claims are denied all the time, most often for one of these two reasons:

  • You do not meet the conditions defined in the policy. Insurance companies will argue that this is the ONLY reason claims are denied, but our vast experience tells us that’s not true. Very often…
  • Your claim has been denied for a false or made-up reason, which is explained in official-sounding insurance language designed to make you give up and go away. This is a frivolous claim denial.

While there’s not much we can do in the first instance (except explain your policy in terms you can understand), in the second instance, we can fight to overturn a frivolous, unprincipled, erroneous denial. Insurance companies don’t make it easy, though.

Here's how BenGlassLaw can help you right now:

  1. If you are thinking about going out on disability, we should talk about that before you stop working. This is especially true if you are not a traditional W-2 employee. We should talk before you file if you:
    1. own a business
    2. make money on commission 
    3. are a health care provider or
    4. a C-Suite professional

Note: If you make over $120,000 a year, you are going to want to read this about high wage earners and disability claims.

During this paid consultation we will review your disability policy, talk about your medical issues and chat about your job or occupation. You will walk away from that call or meeting with a definite plan of action. If you pay us a consulting fee and later hire us to handle an appeal, your consulting fee is credited against any future fees that we earn.

  1. If you are on claim and have questions, but we don't currently represent you,  you have three choices:
    1. Go to UltimateDisabilityResource.com - its free and we've answered just about every question imaginable. You just may find everything you need there.
       
    2. Have a short, free call, with one of our non-attorney disability specialists. They are often able to get your questions answered about processes and procedures. They do not give legal advice.
       
    3. Schedule a paid consult meeting, call or video meeting with Ben Glass. 
       
  2. If your claim has been denied, just fax/email/mail us the denial letter as soon as you get it. We will review it and let you know whether we can help you. This service is free, but you must act promptly. The insurance company only gives you a limited time to appeal or their decision is permanent.
     
  3. If we currently represent you (because we handled your appeal) then all of the above is included in the contingent fee you pay. 

 

More Information about ERISA Long-Term Disability Claims and What Ben Glass Law can do for me

Group LTD insurance that is provided by your employer is governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974). Over the years, the Department of Labor and federal courts have developed very specific rules and procedures, including time limits,for taking action on a long-term disability claim. A lawyer experienced with long-term disability claims will be able to step you through each stage of the process, including (1) pre-filing considerations on whether now is the best time to file; (2) dealing with an appealing a denial of benefits and (3) pursuing a lawsuit in federal court.

If Your Appeal has already been denied, your next step is a lawsuit.

An ERISA disability benefits lawsuit is like no other! Generally, no new evidence will be allowed. The judge is going to base his/her decision on the record that you and the insurance company developed during the application and appeal process. The generally the parties are making arguments over the "administrative record," or the "AR."

The insurance company will not give you any advice, other than "just make sure we have all of the records." But, an experienced ERISA lawyer will know that there is a lot of evidence that can be put into the "AR," including, witness statements, reports of other experts and video. Our office has even included links to expert videos that appear on YouTube into the "AR."

BenGlassLaw will make sure that your claim file contains all your relevant medical evidence and legal arguments necessary to support your claim. We will work with your doctors to translate their opinions and records into language an insurance claims representative will understand. The insurance company is going to hire "experts" from firms that exist solely to provide "experts" to insurance companies.

Acting as Your Voice to the Insurance Company

Make sure that if you hire an attorney to do your appeal that this attorney will also "go all the way" and file a lawsuit in federal court, if necessary. Unfortunately, there are attorneys who are not willing to take this next step. The insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to go to court and which are not.

When Should I Hire BenGlassLaw?

The best time to hire us is before you file a claim. Get some solid advice. In many cases, an experienced ERISA disability attorney will be able to tell you "yes," your records are good enough to file or "no, if you file your clam based on this record you will likely be denied benefits." That attorney will also be able to help you "build" a better record before you file.

There are other mistakes, such as stopping work too soon, moving to a less demanding job, transferring interests in a business (if you are the owner) that a claimant can make that can be fatal to the long-term disability claim.

If you receive a denial letter you must act on it to preserve your rights. BenGlassLaw will always review your denial letter, for free, and give your a written "next steps" strategy plan.

 

 

Related Areas:

Why BenGlassLaw? 

  • We file more disability appeals and lawsuits claims that any other firm in our region. (Source: Pacer, the official government site for Federal Court lawsuits)
  • When we get you back on claim, we stay with you for the life of your claim and proactively manage your ongoing benefits - it's never you v. the insurance company again. At the end of 2021, we had $33 million in future disability benefits under management for our clients.
  • In 2021 and 2022, we recovered over $3 million in wrongfully denied disability benefits (we get money for the client in over 90% of the cases that we accept for representation).
  • When we represent you in a claim that has been denied, we only get paid if we win. 
  • We help people all over the country, using local counsel when required, at no additional charge to the client. We believe that disability claimants should have access to the right attorney for them, no matter where they live.
  • Our reviews speak for themselves.
  • Ben Glass has taught attorneys all over the country about ERISA processes and education. He is a subject matter expert in the industry.
  • We give free resources because our passion is empowering the sick and injured to make great decisions about their insurance claims. Download Ben's book - a comprehensive disability claim guide here. 
  • Has your disability claim been denied? We offer free denial letter reviews - send us your letter and our highly experienced team will give you a complimentary and confidential strategy to move forward.
Ben Glass
by Ben Glass
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Ben Glass is a nationally recognized ERISA disability & life insurance attorney in Fairfax, VA.