Private Disability Insurance Law

   Private disability income insurance is sold as protection in the event of long-term injury or illness. But when the time comes to file a claim, you may need protection from your own insurance company!  The best way to get this protection is to contact an experienced medical insurance claims attorney.

    If you are about to file a disability income insurance claim or your claim has been stalled or rejected, contact attorney Mike Quiat . A senior partner at the law firm of Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C., Mike handles wrongful denial of claims under New Jersey and New York private disability income insurance law and Erisa. He has practiced law for 25 years and has prevailed against the biggest insurance companies.

The Bigger They Are…

   Not all insurance carriers provide private long-term disability income insurance. This is both good and bad for you. The downside is that the near-monopoly gives the companies in the business (Unum, Prudential, Met Life, Cigna) immense power to deny claims. On the positive side, Mike Quiat has fewer companies to deal with and is well aware of the specific tactics they use to deny and minimize claims. He has developed his own effective strategies for compelling  disability income insurers to own up to the full legal obligations they owe their policyholders.

Private Disability Insurance Claims

   Long-term disability insurance is generally offered in group plans through employers (see ERISA claims), or through private policies purchased directly by individuals. Many seeking to protect their incomes in the event of medical disaster, choose private plans because they typically offer better benefits than an employer-sponsored plan, or because the insureds  are self-employed.  Others supplement Erisa with private disability income insurance policies so as to cover as many bases as possible.

   Disability income insurance replaces all or part of your earnings if you become unable to work because of a disabling injury or long-term illness (regardless of whether it is work-related). However, the best-kept secret of the industry is a policy of some insurers to deny a large number of initial claims.

   If your claim is turned down, UQUR challenges the denial in two ways:

   In both ERISA and private claims, an appeal to the insurance company may be to reconsider a claim or to negotiate a settlement. Mike is skilled at holding carriers accountable to the terms of your insurance contract. He is able to resolve many claims out of court, securing disability income benefits in a timely manner for his clients.

   It doesn't matter whether the litigation is in federal or state court. Mike is very familiar with federal, New Jersey and New York private disability insurance laws, including "bad faith" law. And, unlike Erisawhere claimants may have limited rights, plaintiffs in private disability cases have full legal rights, including trial by jury.

• Prove the disability
• Demonstrate that the disability prevents you from performing your job

   The key to proving "disability" is the definition of the word in your policy.  If the definition in your policy is "own occupation", then benefits will be paid if you are disabled so that you cannot perform your “own occupation” (occupation-specific disability).  If the definition is "any occupation", then you will be paid if you are unable to perform “any occupation”.

   Mike Quiat examines the terms and exclusions of your policy and advises on the viability of your claim. It may be as simple as getting a doctor to certify your disability, or there may be complex legal issues that could go either way in court. In any case, you are assured of honest legal counsel and aggressive representation by a  professional experienced in just the area you need -  disability income insurance law.

NEWS OF INTEREST
  Legal Services of New Jersey recently selected veteran disability insurance attorney Michael E.  Quiat of Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, to serve on a panel of experts to present a workshop on Erisa and Employer-sponsored Benefits at an all-day LSNJ seminar in East Brunswick, NJ.

   The workshop will focused on Erisa causes of action, defenses and remedies when health care benefits are denied or terminated.  Federal-State preemptions issues were also discussed.  LSNJ is the centralized hub for referrals to public interest legal entities in the State. 

   Contact Mike Quiat to discuss your private policy claim  He is dedicated to responsive, knowledgeable legal representation.  Mike will answer your inquiry promptly and keep you informed and involved throughout the process.

 800-797-5575