Denied Disability Benefits? You Have Legal Options.
Filing for disability benefits can be a complex and frustrating process. Unfortunately, many employees are blindsided when their claims are denied—often without a full explanation. Insurance companies and government agencies frequently look for reasons to minimize payouts or reject valid claims altogether.
At Ratliff Jackson LLP, our Employment Law Attorneys help workers fight back against wrongful disability claim denials. If your claim has been rejected, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help you understand why and what to do next.
- Insufficient Medical Evidence
Why it happens:
Insurance companies often deny claims by arguing there isn’t enough medical documentation to prove your condition prevents you from working.
How to fight back:
- Gather comprehensive records from all treating physicians, specialists, and therapists.
- Request detailed letters from doctors outlining your diagnosis, symptoms, and limitations.
- Make sure your medical records directly link your condition to your inability to work.
- Consult with an experienced attorney to present the strongest possible case.
- Claim Doesn’t Meet the Policy’s Definition of “Disability”
Why it happens:
Every insurance policy has its own definition of disability. Some only cover “total disability,” while others may exclude mental health conditions or temporary injuries.
How to fight back:
- Review your policy carefully to understand its terms.
- Show how your condition fits within the plan’s definition through medical and occupational evidence.
- Our attorneys at Ratliff Jackson LLP can help interpret policy language and prove that your condition qualifies.
- Missed Deadlines or Incomplete Paperwork
Why it happens:
Disability claims often involve tight deadlines and lengthy forms. A missed form, incomplete response, or delay can cause an automatic denial.
How to fight back:
- Always track deadlines and submission dates, especially for employer-sponsored plans governed by ERISA (which often have a 180-day appeal window).
- Let an attorney help prepare and submit your claim or appeal to avoid mistakes that cost you benefits.
- If your denial was based on a procedural technicality, we can seek a reversal based on due process violations.
- Allegations You Can Still Work
Why it happens:
Insurers may claim you can return to work based on surveillance, employer reports, or biased independent medical exams (IMEs). These are common tactics used to discredit your claim.
How to fight back:
- Provide updated medical documentation refuting the claim.
- Keep a personal symptom journal to track daily challenges and limitations.
- Ratliff Jackson LLP will challenge unfair surveillance and biased reports through cross-examination and expert testimony.
- Pre-Existing Condition or Exclusion Clauses
Why it happens:
Many policies deny benefits for conditions deemed “pre-existing” or covered under exclusion clauses—especially in the first year of coverage.
How to fight back:
- Review the policy to determine what exclusions apply.
- Prove that your condition either does not qualify as “pre-existing” or was stable prior to coverage.
- Our attorneys can challenge exclusions that are overly broad or applied unfairly.
How Ratliff Jackson LLP Can Help You Win Your Disability Benefits Claim
If your claim was denied, don’t give up. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, our Employment Law Attorneys specialize in:
- Short-term and long-term disability claim appeals
- ERISA litigation for employer-sponsored plans
- Social Security Disability (SSD) appeals
- Claims involving mental health or chronic conditions
- Fighting unfair benefit terminations and delays
We handle every aspect of your case—from document gathering to appeals to litigation—so you can focus on your health.
Let Us Help You Fight Back
🛑 Don’t accept a denial as the final word. Insurance companies count on employees giving up.
✅ Take action—and let our legal team fight for the benefits you’ve earned.
📞 Call or Text Ratliff Jackson LLP: (856) 209-3111
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit us at: ratliffjackson.com
📍 Offices in Cherry Hill, NJ & Philadelphia, PA