Disability Insurance Lawyers in Buffalo, NY

Recovering Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits for Buffalo Claimants

When disabling medical conditions prevent you from fulfilling the duties of your occupation, disability insurance presents a solution. As long as you have a policy and a valid claim, your income is protected, right? Not always. Sometimes, insurance companies collect premiums but delay or deny valid claims. Otherwise, they award benefits only to terminate them with no explanation.

Dabdoub Law Firm helps Buffalo claimants fight back and get the benefits they deserve. Our Buffalo disability lawyers have more than 20 years of experience handling claims like yours, and we can help you at any stage of the claims process.

Call us at (800) 969-0488 to get help with filing a disability insurance claim, appealing a denial or termination of benefits, or filing a lawsuit against your insurance company.

What is Disability Insurance?

Disability insurance is a type of insurance that provides financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a disabling illness or injury. The primary purpose of disability insurance is to replace a portion of the insured person's income, helping them maintain their standard of living and meet financial obligations during the period they cannot earn a salary.

Short-term disability insurance typically provides benefits for a shorter period, usually ranging from a few weeks to one year, with common benefit periods being 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. The waiting period before benefits begin is often shorter, ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks, and this period may be covered by sick leave or personal time off. Short-term disability policies generally cover a percentage of your salary, often between 60-80%, designed to replace a portion of your income during your recovery. Eligibility for short-term disability requires you to be unable to perform your job due to a medical condition, with coverage often starting after you've exhausted your sick leave or other paid time off. Common uses for short-term disability include recovery from surgery, maternity leave, minor injuries, or temporary illnesses.

On the other hand, long-term disability (LTD) insurance provides benefits for an extended period, which can range from a few years to until retirement age, depending on the policy, with some policies covering until age 65 or for life. The waiting period for LTD is typically longer, often ranging from 90 days to 6 months, during which STD insurance or other resources may be used. LTD policies cover a percentage of your salary, usually between 50-70%, and the benefit amount might be adjusted over time or include cost-of-living adjustments. To qualify for LTD, you usually need to be unable to perform your job or any job that matches your education, experience, and training, with medical documentation and regular evaluations often required to continue receiving benefits. LTD is commonly used for long-term disabilities such as chronic illnesses, severe injuries, mental health conditions, or other long-term health issues that prevent you from working for extended periods.

The key differences between short-term disability and LTD are primarily in the duration of benefits, waiting periods, and conditions covered. short-term disability is for short periods, while LTD covers longer durations, with short-term disability having a shorter waiting period compared to LTD. Both types of insurance cover a percentage of income, but the exact percentage and adjustments may vary. Short-term disability is typically used for temporary conditions, while LTD is intended for long-term or permanent disabilities. Having both types of coverage can provide comprehensive protection, ensuring income replacement during both short-term recoveries and long-term disabilities.

Buffalo Disability Claims

At the eastern end of Lake Erie, Buffalo is the 2^nd-largest city in New York State and the seat of Erie County. The Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan statistical area had an estimated population of 1.1 million in 2020 and is one of the largest economic centers in the United States. Thanks to its strategic position on the Erie Canal, Buffalo is a hub for grain and other agricultural products shipped from the Midwest. It also has a rich history in steel and auto parts manufacturing and is currently home to advanced manufacturing, research and development, and automation.

Otherwise, Buffalo’s economy is service-based, and the top employers in Buffalo include:

Kaleida Health
Tops Markets LLC
Wegmans Food Markets Inc
M&T Bank
GEICO
MOOG Inc.
Seneca Gaming Corp.
HSBC Bank NA
Delaware North
Rich Products Corporation
Computer Task Group
Citi
KeyBank
Ingram Micro
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Home Depot
Target
And more

Many of these employers use group disability policies to incentivize employment and stay competitive. With healthcare being a leading industry, many doctors purchase private disability policies, as well. Even self-employed professionals like attorneys, artists, and entrepreneurs purchase policies from Buffalo’s top disability insurance providers. Companies like UNUM, Mass Mutual, Northwestern Mutual, and Liberty Mutual are quick to sell disability insurance to all kinds of people, but they do not always honor their end of the contract.

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), your insurance provider is obligated to act in your best interests. If they fail to do so, Dabdoub Law Firm can help you hold them accountable and recover the benefits you deserve.

Some cases go all the way to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City, New York, but we handle most claims before our clients see the inside of a courtroom.

Help from an Attorney with Expertise in Disability Insurance

Disability insurance law is complicated. If your claim for long-term disability benefits was denied or is being delayed by an insurance company, consult a lawyer with expertise in disability law.

Why Us?

Our lawyers specialize in disability insurance.
Our lawyers have experience with UNUM, Hartford, CIGNA, Reliance Standard, and just about every other insurance company.
Our lawyers have won tough disability insurance lawsuits.
Our lawyers have recovered millions in disability benefits for clients who were wrongly denied.

Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we do not have to be located in your state to help. That’s right, we can help you in Buffalo, throughout New York, and across the United States.

Dabdoub Law Firm represents clients nationwide as they:

Submit their disability insurance claims,
Appeal long-term disability denials,
Negotiate lump-sum settlements, and
File lawsuits against their disability insurance companies.

We can help you, too. All you need to do is call us at (800) 969-0488 to speak with a disability insurance attorney or contact us online for a free consultation. You will not owe any legal fees or face case-related costs until you get paid.