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Denied Disability Insurance Claim – Appeal Help

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Disability Benefits Are Meant to Protect You—Until They Don’t

Disability insurance should provide financial stability when you can’t work due to illness or injury. Yet, many Maryland workers face a harsh reality: their insurer denies the claim when they need it most. Whether it’s a short-term disability (STD) policy, a long-term disability (LTD) plan governed by ERISA, or a private policy you purchased yourself, our attorneys know how to challenge denials and fight for the benefits you deserve.

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Why Disability Claims Get Denied

Insurers use a variety of tactics to justify refusal:

01

Insufficient Medical Evidence

Claiming you haven’t proven the extent of your disability.

02

Policy Definition Not Met

Arguing you can still perform your “own occupation” or “any occupation” under policy terms.

03

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion

Denying coverage if they say your condition existed before the policy started.

04

Administrative Technicalities

Missing deadlines or paperwork errors, often strict under ERISA rules.

05

Surveillance or IME Reports

Using selective video clips or insurer-hired doctor opinions to suggest you can work.

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Navigating the ERISA Appeal Process

If your LTD policy is employer-provided, ERISA rules apply. That means:

  • You typically have 180 days to file an internal appeal.

  • All your supporting evidence—doctor letters, test results, witness statements—must be submitted during the appeal.

  • Once in federal court, new evidence is rarely allowed.


We focus on building a complete, compelling claim file from the start, so if litigation becomes necessary, the judge sees the full picture of your disability.

Fighting Private Disability Policy Denials

For privately purchased disability insurance, we can often move straight to a lawsuit for breach of contract and, in some cases, bad faith. State court rules allow more discovery and, potentially, a jury trial. We still present strong demand letters before filing, aiming to secure payment without a drawn-out court battle.

Proving Your Disability to the Insurer

We partner with your medical providers to prepare detailed reports addressing your specific job duties and limitations. Tools we may use include:

  • Functional Capacity Evaluations to objectively measure your physical limits.

  • Neuropsychological Exams for cognitive or mental health disabilities.

  • Vocational Expert Reports to connect your restrictions to the inability to work.
    If the insurer uses surveillance footage, we place it in context—showing how one brief activity doesn’t reflect the reality of your daily limitations.
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Our Experience in Disability Appeals

We’ve represented Maryland clients across professions, from healthcare workers to skilled tradespeople, in overturning wrongful disability denials. We know insurer tactics and how to counter them with persuasive medical and vocational evidence.

Act Quickly—Deadlines Matter

Appeal timelines are unforgiving, especially under ERISA. The sooner you involve us, the better chance we have to strengthen your file.

Free Case Evaluation

Get a Free Case Review

If your disability claim was denied, let us take on the fight while you focus on your health. Our fee structure means you pay nothing unless we win your case or secure a settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation and a clear plan forward.