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Ensuring ERISA Disability Claims In San Diego CA Are Approved The First Time

18 December 2013

Kaylee Wells

Those who are injured and unable to retain steady employment often have to apply for disability benefits in order to pay for basic necessities and prevent severe financial losses. When a person works for an employer that provides disability insurance, the claims process is governed by a law known as ERISA, or Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which was introduced to ensure employees receive responses to their claims in a timely and fair manner. Due to the importance of disability benefits for some individuals, having a claim denied can be devastating, and appealing a denial should be the first step of individuals in this scenario. Knowing why claims are denied and how to overturn these decisions is the best way to ensure ERISA disability claims in San Diego CA are approved the first time. Reasons for Denial One of the largest reasons that ERISA disability claims in San Diego CA are denied is because of insufficient documentation regarding the claim. Those who are applying for these types of benefits should ensure they gather every document regarding the disabling event and include it with their application. Most of the claim forms that individuals receive should be read thoroughly, as these documents will often contain a list of everything that must be included in order for the application to be considered complete. ERISA disability claims in San Diego CA may also be denied because the person did not follow the proper procedures when they sought out treatment for their condition. Those who have plans that offer disability should ensure they know every detail of this agreement, as it is this knowledge that will allow them to seek treatment in a way that coincides with what the plan calls for. By following the steps outlined in their disability policy individuals may even receive more comprehensive treatment, as the goal of these policies is to ensure individuals don't become disabled because they failed to seek out medical assistance or follow the directions of a healthcare provider. Overturning a Denial Those who have had their ERISA disability claims in San Diego CA denied often need to act quickly to ensure this action can be overturned. The first step people should take is to file an appeal that disputes the reasons for the denial, and the minimum amount of time allowed for individuals to complete this process is 180 days. Other timeframes, such as those that apply to seeking medical treatment, should be strictly adhered to, as this will ensure an appeal can't be denied simply because a set amount of time elapsed. Since a lack of documentation is often the reason for a denial, providing this paperwork is of the utmost importance in regards to getting a disability claim approved. Just like the initial claim paperwork, the denial will often include a list of documents that were needed for the claim to be properly processed. Those seeking disability benefits should gather all these missing documents and records as quickly as possible so they can be submitted and any other requests can be made before the appeal timeframe expires. Safeguarding the Future Those who receive a disabling injury are often preoccupied with having their injury treated first, and this can lead to them rushing through ERISA disability claims in San Diego CA in an effort to meet the deadline to file the initial claim. While most people want to think their injury will heal over time and they will be able to return to work, there is no way for them to know for sure, and this is why the process of filing a disability claim should be done carefully. Those who take the time to examine every requirement of their policy will find the claims process simple, and this is the best way for them begin receiving benefits and shift their focus back to recovery. Go to sites to find such lawyers in your area.

Sources

• http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/filingbenefitsclaim.html#6

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