Would you prefer $10 today or $10 in fifteen years?

In evaluating Long Term Disability claims we will look at the total amount of benefits due over the life of the policy and then reduce it to present value. In other words, what is your policy worth today as opposed to over the life of your plan?

Another way to look at it is if you have won the $20 million jackpot and you want it now, you’d only get $6 million or you can get the entire $20 million by waiting and getting it over time. Present value is what that $20 million jackpot is worth today.

If you have questions about the value of your Long Term Disability case, contact ERISA disability attorney, Nancy Cavey, who handles ERISA Long Term Disability claims in the Southeastern United States including Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Related posts:

1. Overpayment of Long Term Disability Benefits and that Call from the Carrier Asking for the Money Back
2. Am I Entitled to Interest on my Reinstated Long Term Disability Benefits?
3. Can I Get Both Workers’ Compensation and Short and Long Term Disability Benefits?

While this minimal activity doesn’t necessarily establish that you are capable of working, what it can be used for is to sabotage your case. How so?

The Long Term Disability carrier has you complete activities of daily living in which you are to accurately document what you are physically capable of doing. If in that form, or in a statement, you tell the Long Term Disability insurance company that you “always use a cane,” or that you always “limp,” and the surveillance shows you walking without a cane or without a limp, you are in trouble!

While walking without a cane or without a limp doesn’t mean that you can work, it does destroy your credibility.

In the book Robbed of Your Peace of Mind it talks about how to complete Activity of Daily Living forms, I emphasize that you should “never use the word never.” Never use the word “always.” Tell the truth, you have good days and bad days, and there are days that you can do more. Activity level is dependent upon your pain and your medication.

Don’t be the star in a surveillance horror show. Don’t let the pictures of what you are doing in your daily routine contradict what you said to the Long Term Disability carrier and your doctors.

For a free copy of the book Robbed of Your Peace of Mind, and information about your Long Term Disability claim, contact Nancy Cavey, your Long term Disability denied lawyer by phone at 727-894-3188 or at caveylaw.com.

Related posts:

1. Mistake 7 – Restrictions and Limitations – Walking | Clearwater Long Term Disability Lawyer
2. Disability Claim’s Denied Video Surveillance | Don’t Let This Happen To You
3. Are You the Star in the Long Term Disability Claim’s Denial Movie? Surveillance and Long Term Disability Claims

First, as previously recommended, you really do need to retain an experienced long-term disability/ERISA attorney like Nancy Cavey.

They want to take your statement for the sole purpose of catching you in a trap that they are building for the purpose of terminating your benefits or forcing you to sell your case cheaply.

Most likely, they already have surveillance film on you. They want to try to catch you by having you say that you can engage in activity that is different than what they have filmed you doing.

After the adjuster takes your statement, they will spring the surveillance film on you.

Mistake 1 is giving your statement without being represented. You need to be prepared for this statement. That will involve reviewing all of your medical records so that you know what the doctors have recorded about your complaints, and what doctors have said about your physical abilities.  It will also involve a review of the Activities of Daily Living forms that you’ve completed.

We have a video that we have our clients watch about statement preparation, so that you understand the process, what you’re going to be asked, and how to properly and actually answer the questions you’ll be asked.

Nancy Cavey also requires that any statement be done in a neutral place and that it be videotaped. I’ve seen too many summaries by insurance company investigators that were self serving and completely inaccurate.  It’s hard to challenge the accuracy of a summary if you don’t have a contemporaneous videotape of what occurred.

Don’t make mistake 1- Giving a Statement without Representation!

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 727.894.3188 or contact us online by clicking here.

Related posts:

1. How to Avoid Making Mistakes In Your LTD/ERISA Statement Or Field Visit | New Port Richey Long Term Disability Lawyer
2. Mistake 6 – Restrictions and Limitations | Tampa Social Security Disability Lawyer
3. Mistake 2 – Letting the Disability Rats Visit Your House | Brandon Long Term Disability Attorney

Please feel free to order your free, no obligation, copy of Attorney Nancy Cavey’s book

“Robbed of your peace of mind? Important information on long-term disability insurance policies, the claims process and how to win your long-term disability benefits”

You can order a copy on the home page of this blog or by going to www.caveylaw.com.

Ms. Cavey can be reached at 727 -894-3188 for a free, no obligation, phone consultation. She handles long-term disability cases nationwide.

Frequently asked questions include:

What is ERISA?

What impact does ERISA have on my claim?

What if I asked for my plan or other documents and I can’t get them?

Okay, I got the plan. Now what does it say?

How do I file a claim?

Will my employer help me with my disability claim?

What does my doctor have to do to help me with my claim?

Are there certain medical conditions excluded from my policy?

What is the definition of disability?

How does the carrier define my occupation?

How much will my benefits be if I get approved?

Are my benefits subject to taxation?

How long will it take for an initial decision?

What if I get a notice of denial letter?

What is the disability claims appeals process?

What seven clauses you don’t want to see in your long-term disability policy?

What are the common mistakes I can make in trying to handle my own disability case?

What happens if my benefits are denied?

What is a Standard of Review and why do I care?

When should I get a disability attorney?

What type of legal services do I need?

I have a limited income. How do I pay for lawyer?

When can we sue the long-term disability carrier?

If there are other questions you’d like answered, use the comment function and send me an e-mail about your questions. I can either answer them online publicly, or we can communicate privately. Don’t be shy about asking questions!

My father became disabled when I was in middle school. He, like you, wanted to be prepared in the event that he became disabled and could not support his family. He purchased a long-term disability policy through USF&G. I remember the monthly trips he made to his doctor, asking for the appropriate long-term disability forms to be completed service benefits would continue. I remember my mother’s fear that the long-term disability benefits will be suspended.

I understand your fears and the unanswered questions you have. I have been there. So, don’t be shy about asking questions, as the purpose of this blog is to help educate you about the ERISA and short term/long-term disability process. I hope you find this information useful.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 727.894.3188 or contact us online by clicking here.

Related posts:

1. Mistake 3 – Handling Questions About Your Medical Condition | Bradenton Long Term Disability Lawyer
2. FAQ – What if I asked for my plan or other documents and I can’t get them? | Tampa Long Term Disability Lawyer
3. FAQ – What is the definition of disability? | Tampa Long Term Disability Lawyer