Disability Denial

Understanding a Disability Insurance Denial in 2025

Disability insurance provides financial support when illness or injury prevents a policyholder from working and earning an income.

You may be eligible for disability benefits through:

• A private insurance company
• The Social Security Administration (SSA)
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Disability insurance is meant to help with any expenses you may not be able to afford due to your inability to work. This includes medical bills, car payments, and basic living expenses.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies are known for high rates of denied disability insurance claims, leaving workers with no financial relief when they need it most.

Our legal partners have recovered over $133 million in wrongful long-term disability denial cases. They never charge any upfront costs and can help workers in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now to see if a top disability denial attorney may be able to fight hard for you.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for a wrongful disability insurance claim denial.

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Types of Disability Denials

Disability benefits include those offered through employer-sponsored plans, as well as benefits provided by the federal government to help workers when they’re sidelined by an injury or illness.

A disability denial lawyer can determine the benefits you’re entitled to and prepare an appeal strategy if you’ve been wrongfully denied disability insurance or government benefits.

Find out more about the different types of disability denials Americans often face and how an attorney can help.

Long-Term Disability Denial

Long-term disability (LTD) provides income replacement if a health issue keeps you out of work for an extended time.

Long-term disability insurance typically pays 60-80% of your monthly salary. Benefits can last for several years to retirement or until you recover from your disability.

The most common reason for a long-term disability denial is not meeting your insurer’s medical qualifications. A lawyer can collect evidence to show you have a qualifying health condition and file an appeal on your behalf.

Short-Term Disability Denial

Short-term disability (STD) provides coverage to policyholders immediately after a serious injury or illness, typically for a period of 3-6 months.

A medical condition doesn’t have to be related to the work environment or job-related responsibilities to meet short-term or long-term disability qualifications.

Common reasons for a short-term disability denial include insufficient medical evidence, missed deadlines, and paperwork errors.

SSDI Denial

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides financial assistance to those unable to work due to a long-term disability.

To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, you must have:

• A qualifying medical condition
• Worked a job covered by Social Security

The SSA may deny your Social Security disability claim by arguing that your condition isn’t severe enough to prevent you from working or doesn’t meet its definition of disability.

An SSA disability lawyer can build a strong appeal showing your entitlement to SSDI benefits.

Veterans Disability

Veterans can apply for VA disability benefits if they have an illness or injury related to their service, like cancer, hearing loss, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

However, filing a VA benefits claim can be challenging, and it often takes months for the VA to make a decision. If a claim is denied or delayed, the process can take even longer.

The VA understands these challenges and recommends that veterans seek help from a claims agent, Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or attorney. These professionals can ensure a benefits claim is filed correctly and appeal a denial if necessary.

How to Appeal a Disability Claim Denial

A disability denial can leave workers feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Long-term disability lawyers can handle all aspects of an appeal, so you can focus on your health during this difficult time.

Find out more about the steps involved in working with a lawyer to appeal a disability insurance denial.

1. Get a Free Consultation

Reach out to LawFirm.com for a free case review. We’ll see if we can connect you with a disability insurance lawyer in our network.

The attorneys in our network never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to work with them.

2. Collect Evidence for an Appeal

Your lawyer and a team of paralegals and medical experts will gather evidence to build a strong case showing you’re entitled to disability insurance benefits.

Evidence to appeal a disability denial may include:

• Disability insurance policy
• Job description
• Medical records
• Statement from your health care provider about your condition

Your attorney will use this information to fill in any gaps in your initial application and show you’re owed benefits.

3. Submit an Appeal of Your Disability Claim

Your lawyer will send your appeal to your insurance company before any deadlines and communicate with the insurer going forward, saving you time and providing peace of mind.

They may be able to file a second appeal if your first one is rejected to pursue the benefits you deserve.

4. File a Long-Term Disability Lawsuit

If the insurer still refuses to change its disability determination, your lawyer may be able to file a lawsuit and seek benefits. They can fight for a disability settlement or argue your case in federal court, if necessary.

Money from a settlement can help with your medical expenses, everyday living expenses, and more while you’re unable to work. This support can ease any financial worries, allowing you to rest and heal without any added pressures.

Play Video Insurance companies have a duty to treat policyholders fairly. When they fail to do so, a disability attorney can step in and appeal a wrongful denial. Duration: 1 min 00 sec

Denied Disability Insurance Companies

Dozens of insurance carriers offer long-term disability insurance, and many have a history of denying valid claims without cause.

Insurance companies known for long-term disability denial include:

• Aetna
• Allstate
• Anthem
• Cigna
• Disability Management Services
• Guardian
• The Hartford
• Liberty Mutual
• Lincoln Financial
• Lloyd’s of London
• MetLife
• Northwestern Mutual
• Prudential
• The Standard
• State Farm
• Sun Life
• UnitedHealthcare
• Unum

This isn’t a complete list — many other insurers have been known to wrongfully deny claims, putting their own interests above those of policyholders.

Get a free case review now to see if we may be able to help you fight back and appeal a wrongful long-term disability denial.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for a wrongful disability insurance claim denial.

Get a Free Case Review

Why Would I Be Denied Disability?

Insurance companies may issue a disability denial for many reasons. Here are 5 reasons that your claim may be denied.

1. Failure to satisfy the elimination period: An elimination period is the waiting time before benefits begin after a claim is made. If your condition improves during this period, the insurer may insist you no longer have a qualifying health condition, even if you still can’t work.
2. Lack of evidence: Your insurer may say you haven’t submitted proof of a disability or require excessive documentation, making it nearly impossible to comply.
3. Late filing: Most insurance policies have strict deadlines for when a claim and any appeals must be filed.
4. Not keeping up with doctor visits: Claimants are typically required to receive regular medical care. You may be issued a disability denial if you stop seeing your doctor.
5. Pre-existing condition: This refers to a medical condition that a policyholder already had before starting a new insurance plan.

ERISA, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, is a federal law that protects workers’ rights to benefits offered by private employers, like long-term disability.

An ERISA lawyer can ensure your insurance company follows the rules established by this law and acts ethically and in your best interests.

Get Help From a Disability Denial Lawyer

When you can’t work and are facing a disability denial, bills can add up quickly. This can increase emotional and financial stress during an already challenging time.

Workers count on disability insurance policies as a safety net for themselves and their families in the event that a medical emergency occurs.

If you’ve been denied disability benefits, you don’t have to go it alone. With a track record of securing over $133 million for unjust LTD denials, our legal partners have what it takes to get the results you deserve.

The disability denial attorneys in our network:

• Can handle long-term disability, veterans’ benefits, and Social Security claims
• Have a national reach, allowing them to help clients in all 50 states
• Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if a top disability denial lawyer may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.