How Engineers Can Fight a Denied Long-Term Disability Claim with the Help of Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C.

If you’re an engineer who has suffered a disabling injury or illness and been denied long-term disability (LTD) benefits, you may feel like the odds are stacked against you. The good news? You don’t have to face it alone. The attorneys at Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C. (UQUR) have the experience, systems and credentials to help engineers navigate complex LTD claims and appeals—and stand a far better chance of recovering the benefits they deserve.

Here’s how UQUR can help you as an engineer who is facing a denied LTD claim, and why working with attorneys skilled in this area can make all the difference.

Why Engineers Face Unique Challenges in LTD Claims

Engineers, whether in civil, mechanical, electrical or software disciplines, often face particular obstacles when filing or appealing long-term disability claims:

  • Sophisticated job duties: Engineers typically perform highly technical, cognitive, analytical work. Insurers may argue that you can perform “other work” despite your disability or down-play the loss of your specific engineering skills.
  • “Own occupation” vs. “any occupation” language: Many disability policies distinguish between your ability to do your specific engineering occupation versus any job at all. If your policy’s definition is narrow and the insurer interprets it broadly, you may get denied.
  • Documentation burden: You’ll need robust medical records, functional capacity evaluations and possibly vocational evidence showing you cannot perform your engineering duties. Insurers often look for gaps or inconsistencies.
  • Insurer scrutiny: Because engineering is a white-collar profession, insurers may scrutinize the claim more closely—questioning the severity of your diagnosis, your remaining capacities, and whether you could transition into a less demanding role.

Given these complexities, engineers who get the support of experienced LTD attorneys are far better positioned to make a strong case and challenge denials effectively.

How UQUR’s Experience Aligns with Engineering-Related LTD Claims

UQUR has a long track record of handling denied long-term disability and ERISA claims. Their website states they have over “100 combined years of legal experience” and have focused on disability income insurance claims, ERISA, long-term care and life insurance disputes. 

Specifically for LTD claims they say:

“At Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C., we can help you with your disability claim denial. … We will examine the terms and exclusions of your policy and advise on the viability of your disability claim.” 

What this means for engineers:

  • They understand the technicalities of disability insurance policy language (especially “own occupation” definitions).
  • They are familiar with the tactics insurers use to deny claims and delay benefits.
  • They have experience representing professionals whose jobs require a high level of skill and cognitive demand—not just manual labor.

For an engineer whose job may involve complex design, project oversight, calculations and decision-making, UQUR’s familiarity with “white-collar” disability claims is an asset.

The Key Steps UQUR Takes to Fight a Denied Claim

Here’s how an engineer can expect UQUR to approach a denied LTD claim:

a) Policy Review & Strategy Development

  • They will carefully review your policy—looking at definitions of disability, the “own occupation” clause (if any), any exclusion provisions, elimination periods and benefit duration.
  • For engineers, this might mean assessing whether the policy protects you from doing any engineering work (rather than “any occupation”).
  • UQUR then develops a strategy: is a new claim warranted? Is it an appeal of a denial? Are there grounds for litigation?

b) Gathering Of Evidence

  • Medical Records: obtaining all relevant treatment notes, testing results, diagnostic imaging, functional capacity evaluations, etc.
  • Vocational Documentation: showing what your engineering duties involved, what tasks you can no longer perform, and possibly a vocational expert’s opinion that you cannot transition into other work given your skills + restrictions.
  • Expert Opinions: For engineers, this might include medical specialists (e.g., for musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, cognitive problems) AND vocational/occupational experts who understand engineering roles.

c) Preparing The Appeal (or Litigation)

  • If the insurer has denied your claim, UQUR can file an internal appeal (if required). They may develop a full “certified record” response, documenting the claim from start to finish.
  • If the claim is under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) or state law, they can prepare litigation in court. They also handle “own occupation” issues and other complex policy provisions.
  • For engineers, that means bringing in evidence that you cannot return to your prior engineering duties nor transition to another meaningful occupation, given your training and restrictions.

d) Aggressive Negotiation & Litigation

  • UQUR states they “provide client-focused representation to individuals … facing conflict with an insurance company over claim denials or delays.”
  • They have experience handling these cases in New Jersey and New York, but also for clients nationwide. That means if your engineering job is interstate or your policy is with a national insurer, they have relevant experience.
  • Their cases often involve major insurers (e.g., Unum, MetLife, Hartford) and they are prepared to go to court if necessary.

What Engineers Should Ask When Choosing an LTD Attorney

When you’re an engineer dealing with a denied claim, choosing the right attorney matters. Here are questions you should ask—and UQUR delivers on many of them:

  • Do they have experience with “own occupation” claims and high-skill professions like engineering? UQUR notes their experience with professional occupations and “own occupation” language.
  • Will I get direct access to the attorney handling my case? UQUR emphasizes “Personal attention” and “only experienced attorneys personally manage your case.”
  • How do they communicate? Engineers often appreciate clear, timely updates. UQUR says they take calls, return emails promptly and keep clients informed.
  • What is the fee structure? UQUR says they discuss fees up front and provide estimates.
  • Have they handled cases against major insurers and in your jurisdiction? UQUR has represented policyholders in New York, New Jersey and nationwide, including against all major disability insurers.
  • What results have they achieved? While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, UQUR has strong reviews and peer-ratings (4.9 stars) in disability insurance litigation.

Engineer’s Disability Claim & How UQUR Helps

Consider the following real-world scenario:

Situation: You are a structural engineer. After sustaining a serious musculoskeletal injury (say cervical spine disc herniation) from a job-site accident, you undergo surgery, attend physical therapy for months and cannot perform the intense field inspections, design review, travel and project oversight your job requires. You apply for LTD benefits under your professional disability policy. The insurer denies your claim, saying you “can do other work” even if not your engineering job.

How UQUR would help:

  • They review your policy and establish that your job duties (design review, field inspections, client meetings, travel) are unique to your engineering occupation and that your policy’s “own occupation” definition applies (meaning you only have to show you can’t do your engineering job, not any job).
  • They gather your medical records (surgery reports, physical therapy records, functional evaluations) as well as vocational documentation: what you did as a structural engineer, the physical and cognitive demands of your job, and expert evidence that given your restrictions you can’t transition to another job of similar pay and skill.
  • They handle the internal appeal: crafting a narrative that addresses the insurer’s arguments and shows directly how your injuries limit the essential duties of your engineering position.
  • If the insurer continues to deny or terminate benefits, UQUR initiates litigation, leveraging their experience in ERISA/disability cases and negotiating or litigating on your behalf.
  • Throughout, you receive updates, understand the strategy, and are treated as a valued client—not just another claim.

Why Time Matters and How Engineers Should Act Now

A few key considerations:

  • Statute of limitations & policy timelines: Many policies and ERISA plans have deadlines for submitting appeals or filing lawsuits. Waiting too long can be fatal to your rights.
  • Evidence collection is time-sensitive: The sooner you involve experienced counsel, the sooner they can begin gathering records, expert opinions and vocational evidence—often before records become stale or harder to obtain.
  • Insurers move quickly: After denial, insurers may terminate benefits or move to “any occupation” language. You may need prompt legal support to keep your benefits flowing.
  • Engineering careers often carry high income levels: The financial stakes are substantial. A denied LTD claim can jeopardize your livelihood, retirement savings and family security.

Given all this, engineers faced with a denial should reach out for a consultation now. UQUR offers this option at no cost—so you can assess your case before making decisions.

Engineering + Disability Claims = Specialized Expertise

Your career as an engineer means you bring unique skills, responsibilities and expectations—so when you become disabled and must rely on an LTD policy, you deserve attorneys who understand that complexity.

Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C. has earned its reputation for handling difficult disability insurance claims—especially where professionals with specialized occupations are involved. Their focus on “own occupation” language, direct access to senior attorneys, and more than four decades of experience make them a formidable advocate for engineers whose benefits have been unfairly denied.

If you are an engineer and you’ve filed an LTD claim, been denied, or are worried about your future income and career path due to disability, don’t wait. A timely strategy, evidence-based appeal, and skilled counsel can make all the difference.

Contact Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C. today for a free consultation. From their Hackensack, New Jersey office and their New York City location, their team stands ready to help you explore your rights, evaluate your policy, and craft the best path forward toward securing the long-term disability benefits you deserve.