Long-Term Disability Benefits In Florida For Physicians
In caring for their patients, physicians often put their own health at risk. When injuries, illnesses, or chronic health conditions prevent them from working for a year or longer, long-term disability insurance can help offset their lost income. Unfortunately, getting a claim approved is often a challenging and complex process.
To prevent denials and delays, get the trusted legal guidance you need at Farrell Disability Law. Our Jacksonville long-term disability lawyer explains more about common disabilities suffered by physicians and how to protect your rights to benefits.
Florida Physicians Vulnerable To Long-Term Disabilities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that long-term disabilities are common among medical professionals. Physicians, in particular, are at high risk. Common types of conditions physicians are vulnerable to that can cause long-term disabilities include:
- Accidental injuries due to slips and falls or getting struck by objects;
- Back and neck injuries caused by caring for patients and performing other tasks;
- Arthritis and other inflammatory issues due to overuse and repetitive stress;
- Chronic illness due to being exposed to different viruses, bacteria, or hazardous substances;
- Heart disease, anxiety, and other disorders, due to lack of sleep and the stress of caring for patients.
These and other conditions can cause chronic pain and limited mobility, preventing physicians from working or performing certain job-related tasks. Long-term disability insurance provides a safety net in this situation.
Protecting The Rights of Physicians In Seeking Long-Term Disability Benefits In Florida
Physicians are highly paid professionals. To protect their income, many doctors purchase private long-term disability insurance policies in addition to coverage available through group practices, hospitals, or professional affiliations.
Considering the amount of disability insurance most physicians have and the high cost of premiums, it can come as a shock when long-term disability benefits are denied or disputed. Unfortunately, this is standard practice among insurers. To protect your rights in a claim, physicians are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Report any type of injury or illness immediately to your employer;
- Seek medical attention and follow all recommendations in terms of treatment;
- Get copies of all your medical records and wage statements;
- Document how impairments you suffer impact you on the job and in your personal life.
Request copies of all long-term disability policies you have in place and carefully review the terms. If a policy is provided through employers or group practices, it is likely subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This governs employer-provided benefits, dictating how they are administered and the process for appealing denied claims.
Contact Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today
For physicians, filing a long-term disability claim is often a complex process, and benefits are routinely denied or disputed. To protect your rights, get professional legal representation from Farrell Disability Law. We have extensive experience dealing with insurers and can guide you in filing a claim and appealing denied benefits, helping you get the total amount you deserve. Contact our Florida long-term disability lawyer and request a consultation in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7955270/#:~:text=The%20disability%20category%20most%20commonly,%5B12.1%25%5D%3B%2095%25%20CI%2C
dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa#:~:text=The%20Employee%20Retirement%20Income%20Security,for%20individuals%20in%20these%20plans.
