Why would you want a free consultation to review your insurance policy? Many of our clients have no idea what kind of disability insurance coverage they have when they come to us for help making a claim or appealing a claim denial. Some have Individual Disability Insurance (what some call 'DI'). Others have policies they bought through work (usually known as 'ERISA' coverage, named after the federal law that covers employee benefits). Still others have many policies, and they do not know how they work or when each policy will pay benefits.
Tucker & Ludin, P.A. provides free insurance reviews for anyone who wants to have their disability insurance coverage analyzed. We can help you understand how you are covered. Your insurance agent should have explained this, but in our experience, agents often do not even understand the policies they sold you.
Under what conditions does your disability policy pay? When does it not pay benefits? What are the exclusions? Are your benefits reduced by "other income?" What is "other income?" Do you have to apply for Social Security Disability? What is the "elimination period?" We can help you understand the answers to these and other questions....all at no cost to you.
If you want a free opinion about the terms of your insurance policy (not the amount, but the actual language), from someone who is not an insurance agent, feel free to call us. As attorneys that represent people in disability insurance claims and lawsuits, we will provide you with an unbiased opinion about what coverage you purchased. We are disability attorneys. Tucker & Ludin is one of the few law firms in the country that represents people like you in ALL types of disability insurance claims and cases, as well as Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability benefits claims.
The time to understand your disability insurance and know what you bought is BEFORE you become disabled. Call us at toll free at (866) 282-5260 or email John Tucker at tucker@tuckerludin.com to schedule your free insurance review. Although we are based in Florida, we handle cases all over the United States, and would be happy to assist you.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Added to Social Security Disability's List of Compassionate Allowances Initiative
In a move that will help those with early-onset Alzheimer's, the Social Security Administration has added the condition to its list of covered illnesses that may qualify for its Compassionate Allowances. In addition to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, mixed-dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia were also added to the Compassionate Allowances Initiative.
Compassionate allowances are a sort of fast track system developed by Social Security to target disabling conditions that likely will be approved for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. According to the Social Security website, "Compassionate allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of Impairments based on minimal objective medical information. Compassionate allowances allow Social Security to quickly target the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that we can obtain quickly."
Harry Johns, the President of the Alzheimer's Association applauded the move in a statement shortly after the Social Security Administration's announcement. “As the leading research, advocacy, and support organization for Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has actively sought the inclusion of early-onset Alzheimer’s in the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances Initiative,” says Mr. Johns. “Now, individuals who are dealing with the enormous challenges of Alzheimer’s won’t also have to endure the financial and emotional toll of a long disability decision process.”
In my law practice representing disabled individuals, I have witnesses the tremendous difficulty that people with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia conditions cause. Hopefully, fast tracking these claims will help relieve the stress of applying for Social Security Disability for claimants and their families.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Compassionate allowances are a sort of fast track system developed by Social Security to target disabling conditions that likely will be approved for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. According to the Social Security website, "Compassionate allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of Impairments based on minimal objective medical information. Compassionate allowances allow Social Security to quickly target the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that we can obtain quickly."
Harry Johns, the President of the Alzheimer's Association applauded the move in a statement shortly after the Social Security Administration's announcement. “As the leading research, advocacy, and support organization for Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has actively sought the inclusion of early-onset Alzheimer’s in the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances Initiative,” says Mr. Johns. “Now, individuals who are dealing with the enormous challenges of Alzheimer’s won’t also have to endure the financial and emotional toll of a long disability decision process.”
In my law practice representing disabled individuals, I have witnesses the tremendous difficulty that people with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia conditions cause. Hopefully, fast tracking these claims will help relieve the stress of applying for Social Security Disability for claimants and their families.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Overhead Expense Insurance - Disability Coverage for Business Owners
If you are self-employed, what would happen to your business and employees if you became disabled? Many of my clients come to see me about claims under their Individual Disability insurance coverage, but most have not thought to buy Overhead Expense coverage to supplement their private or group disability insurance. Worse, some do not even know that their insurance agent had the forethought to have them buy Overhead Expense coverage, and they forget to make a timely claim for Overhead Expense benefits.
What is Overhead Expense Insurance? Overhead Expense coverage pays benefits to a business owner in case they (or one of their co-owners or partners) become disabled due to a sickness or injury. The idea is that you want to keep your business going while you are trying to recover from a serious illness or injury. It usually pays for no more than 2 to 3 years.
What Does Overhead Expense Insurance cover? It depends upon the particular policy (and you should always read the policy language to be sure), but typically Overhead Expense coverage will pay for things like insurance, office supplies, postage, rent, salaries, utilities, etc.
Do you have to be disabled from any occupation or just the role of business owner? Again, the policy language will address this. If you are in the market for this type of insurance, tell your insurance agent that you want coverage that defines disability as your inability to engage in all of the duties of your occupation. They call this "own occupation" coverage. That way, if you cannot do part of your job, then the benefits kick in. Insurance companies have many different types of policies though, so beware that you are not buying something that has a very narrow definition of disability that you may never meet.
Who Should Buy Overhead Expense Insurance? Any business owner or group of owners that are concerned about how the business will stay afloat if one or more owners becomes disabled. This is particularly key in new or small businesses.
I often represent business owners and professionals that wish they had this coverage when they become disabled. Consider a small business that employs 10 people, but the owner plays a key role in providing the service or product. If the owner gets cancer and is treated for a year, but cannot work, Overhead Expense coverage may save their business. Without it, they may have to start over after they recover. Alternatively, it may buy some time for them to sell the business while they recover or if they decide they cannot return to work due to their disability.
FREE INSURANCE POLICY REVIEW: Tucker & Ludin, P.A. provides free insurance reviews for anyone who wants to have their disability insurance coverage analyzed. If you want an opinion about the terms of your insurance policy (not the amount, but the actual language), from someone who is not an insurance agent, feel free to call us. As attorneys that represent people in disability insurance claims and lawsuits, we will provide you with an unbiased opinion about what coverage you purchased. The time to understand your disability insurance and know what you bought is BEFORE you become disabled. Call us at (866) 282-5260 to schedule your free insurance review.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
What is Overhead Expense Insurance? Overhead Expense coverage pays benefits to a business owner in case they (or one of their co-owners or partners) become disabled due to a sickness or injury. The idea is that you want to keep your business going while you are trying to recover from a serious illness or injury. It usually pays for no more than 2 to 3 years.
What Does Overhead Expense Insurance cover? It depends upon the particular policy (and you should always read the policy language to be sure), but typically Overhead Expense coverage will pay for things like insurance, office supplies, postage, rent, salaries, utilities, etc.
Do you have to be disabled from any occupation or just the role of business owner? Again, the policy language will address this. If you are in the market for this type of insurance, tell your insurance agent that you want coverage that defines disability as your inability to engage in all of the duties of your occupation. They call this "own occupation" coverage. That way, if you cannot do part of your job, then the benefits kick in. Insurance companies have many different types of policies though, so beware that you are not buying something that has a very narrow definition of disability that you may never meet.
Who Should Buy Overhead Expense Insurance? Any business owner or group of owners that are concerned about how the business will stay afloat if one or more owners becomes disabled. This is particularly key in new or small businesses.
I often represent business owners and professionals that wish they had this coverage when they become disabled. Consider a small business that employs 10 people, but the owner plays a key role in providing the service or product. If the owner gets cancer and is treated for a year, but cannot work, Overhead Expense coverage may save their business. Without it, they may have to start over after they recover. Alternatively, it may buy some time for them to sell the business while they recover or if they decide they cannot return to work due to their disability.
FREE INSURANCE POLICY REVIEW: Tucker & Ludin, P.A. provides free insurance reviews for anyone who wants to have their disability insurance coverage analyzed. If you want an opinion about the terms of your insurance policy (not the amount, but the actual language), from someone who is not an insurance agent, feel free to call us. As attorneys that represent people in disability insurance claims and lawsuits, we will provide you with an unbiased opinion about what coverage you purchased. The time to understand your disability insurance and know what you bought is BEFORE you become disabled. Call us at (866) 282-5260 to schedule your free insurance review.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Friday, July 23, 2010
ERISA & Insurance Attorney John Tucker Elected Treasurer of AAJ ERISA, Health and Disability Insurance Litigation Group
Tampa Bay: Attorney John Tucker was elected Treasurer of the ERISA, Health and Disability Insurance Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at its Annual Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 10, 2010.
Mr. Tucker's main office is located in Clearwater, Florida, and he has a national practice in ERISA and Disability Insurance claims and litigation. He is a frequent lecturer and author on ERISA (the federal law that governs employer-sponsored group benefits), Disability Insurance, and disability benefits.
Tucker Ludin - Legal Solutions is a leading disability benefit law firm, providing comprehensive representation to those making claims or litigating in the areas of ERISA, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability benefits, Individual Disability Insurance, Social Security Disability and Veterans (V.A.) Disability Compensation.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Mr. Tucker's main office is located in Clearwater, Florida, and he has a national practice in ERISA and Disability Insurance claims and litigation. He is a frequent lecturer and author on ERISA (the federal law that governs employer-sponsored group benefits), Disability Insurance, and disability benefits.
Tucker Ludin - Legal Solutions is a leading disability benefit law firm, providing comprehensive representation to those making claims or litigating in the areas of ERISA, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability benefits, Individual Disability Insurance, Social Security Disability and Veterans (V.A.) Disability Compensation.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ('PTSD')?
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition resulting from exposure to direct or indirect threat of death, serious injury or a physical threat. The events that can cause PTSD are called "stressors” and may include natural disasters, accidents or deliberate man-made events/disasters, including war. Symptoms of PTSD can include recurrent thoughts of a traumatic event, reduced involvement in work or outside interests, emotional numbing, hyper-alertness, anxiety and irritability. The disorder can be more severe and longer lasting when the stress is human initiated action (example: war, rape, terrorism).
In my experience representing disabled veterans, PTSD can run the gamut from limited symptoms to overwhelming impairment. Combat-related conditions can obviously cause the disorder, but other stressors such as sexual assault are common. Any stressor that is service-connected can be the basis for a Veterans disability claim. I will address the stressors in my next installment.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
In my experience representing disabled veterans, PTSD can run the gamut from limited symptoms to overwhelming impairment. Combat-related conditions can obviously cause the disorder, but other stressors such as sexual assault are common. Any stressor that is service-connected can be the basis for a Veterans disability claim. I will address the stressors in my next installment.
Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
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