Colorado Disability Law

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By: Bill Henry
PublishedAug 20, 2018
2 minute read

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An injury or illness that results in disability, whether temporary or permanent, can be life-altering, especially when it impacts your ability to work and to earn your regular wage. While there are systems in place designed to provide wage replacement in the event that you’re suddenly unable to work, they can be tedious and burdensome to navigate, especially when you’re unwell. And, too often, the insurance company denies your claim, leaving you to muddle through the process of filing an appeal, while what you really need to focus on is your health.

Working with an attorney, whether to help you file an initial disability or health insurance claim or to help you appeal a denied claim, can make a world of difference, both for the outcome of your claim and for your own well-being.

Call 303-688-0944 for an assessment with our disability attorneys to learn more about how we can help with your disability and health insurance claims. Our disability practice is based out of our headquarters in Castle Rock, Colorado, but we can handle cases from anywhere in Colorado.

Below is a list of our disability sub-practice areas. Please click on the link to read more about each area.

Short and Long Term Disability

According to Forbes, 90 percent of disability claims are due to illnesses or injuries sustained while not on the job. This is when private disability insurance comes in handy. Unlike workers’ compensation insurance, most private disability insurance plans cover injuries and illnesses whether they happen on the job or not. Click here to learn more.

ERISA Disability Appeals

A disability insurance claim denial can be a devastating blow and feel like the end of the world, or at least the end of the road. But it doesn’t have to be. You can, and should, file an appeal. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or, “ERISA,” governs benefits, like disability, health and life insurance plans, provided by your employer. Under this law, you have the right to appeal a decision by the insurance administrator – whether that is your employer or the insurance company – to deny a claim. Click here to learn more.

Health Insurance Claim Denials

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about one claim in seven made under the employer health plans that it oversees is initially denied; that’s about 200 million claims out of the 1.4 billion submitted annually. And that’s not all. The American Medical Association estimated that 7.1 of the paid health insurance claims in 2013 contained an error. In fact, according to the consumer advocacy group NerdWallet, medical billing errors cost millions of dollars annually in the form of overpayments by insurers and patients. Click here to learn more.

Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration handles millions of federal disability claims every year. While it pays benefits to roughly 11 million Americans, totaling $143 billion in annual payouts, applications numbers are still rising. Sadly, while more and more people are applying, the approval rate still stands at a low 36 percent. Click here to learn more.

Workers’ Compensation

It’s an unfortunate reality: workplace accidents happen. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2015. While this is fewer than in the previous year, and continues a trend of decline over the last decade, the fact remains that despite everyone’s best efforts to avoid them, workplace accidents happen. Enter, Colorado’s workers’ compensation program. Click here to learn more.

Get Help with Your Personal Injury Case

If you have a question about the above content or need help with your personal injury, please call us at 303-688-0944 to begin your case assessment.

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