Our managing partner, Erin Ronstadt, was recently quoted in an article by Bloomberg Law about COVID-19 and long-term disability. Today, we’re going to break down that article and help you understand how COVID-19 may impact your private disability claim.
COVID-19 and Long-Term Disability
COVID-19 has, in many ways, brought the world to a halt, and this goes for Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims as well. According to Bloomberg, “Deadline extensions from the Labor Department, difficulty getting medical records from doctors reeling from the public health emergency, and many people still working from home has drawn out an already lengthy internal appeals process beneficiaries must go through with an insurer before they can take their case to court”. These delays have led to a temporary decrease in LTD-related litigation. However, some attorneys are anticipating an uptick in LTD denials as people return to work in-person.
Returning to In-Person Work
As vaccinations rates are increasing and infection rates are decreasing, many people are returning to the office in person for the first time in over a year. For some, returning to the office may present a set of challenges not present at home. For example, someone with a disability may be able to work from bed or have special accommodations when they’re working from home. However, returning to the office can be more physically and mentally strenuous, or include more travel, making it difficult for some workers to continue performing their job. According to Ronstadt, “Being able to work from home has probably provided accommodations to people who would otherwise be filing claims. As people return to the office, I think we’ll see more claims filed,”. The demands of being back in the office or on the road could lead to more disability claims.
Contact Us
The Firm has been seeing more employees looking to file disability claims. If you have recently returned to your workplace in-person and are struggling to perform your job due to medical conditions, you may be able to apply for Long-Term Disability benefits offered by your employer. This coverage might be more beneficial than you realize and can provide you with a percentage of your income while you focus on your health. Contact the experienced LTD attorneys at Sandstone Law Group to learn more.