Blogs
Things to Avoid Telling Your Long-Term Disability Insurer
First, you should never underestimate or attempt to downplay your medical conditions. If your doctor has ordered that you refrain from lifting more than ten...
L.A. Faces Staggering Costs Stemming from Bicycle Lawsuits
A L.A. Times article from earlier this year details the high costs that the city of Los Angeles is seeing due to an increase in...
When Can an Insurer Remove an ERISA Long-Term Disability Case from State Court to Federal Court?
Both state and federal courts can hear claims related to ERISA-governed benefits plans. However, a state court must apply federal law in deciding the claim,...
What is a Discretionary Authority Provision in an ERISA-Governed Disability Plan?
Discretionary authority is a common provision in an ERISA-governed disability plan that essentially gives the insurance company administering the plan full and sole authority to...
What to Look for When Purchasing a Bicycle Helmet
All bicycle helmets sold in the U.S. must meet standards set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). However, there are still certain types...
Do I Need to Read the Plan Document or the Summary Plan Description? What is the Difference?
When you receive coverage through a long-term disability benefits plan governed by ERISA, the plan administrator is required to provide you with a copy of...
Can I Get Long-Term Disability Benefits if I Receive Severance Pay From My Employer?
An employer is not required to provide severance benefits under the Fair Labor Standards Act, but many employers do offer severance packages to their employees...
Bicycle Equipment Safety and You
Bicycle accidents continue to be a source of serious and even fatal injuries across the state of California and in other states across the nation....
Surveillance Techniques Increasingly Used by Disability Insurers
A recent Bloomberg BNA article detailed how disability insurers are increasingly turning to social media and other surveillance methods to gather evidence showing that disability...
Should I Hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Now . . . or Later?
When you need to make a claim for long-term disability benefits through your employer-sponsored long-term disability plan, you may assume that you will be able...
How Does the California Vehicle Code Apply to Bicycle Riders?
The California Vehicle Code doesn’t only include laws for drivers; it includes laws for bike riders, as well. In fact, Cal. Veh. Code § 21200...
How Do Insurers Calculate Long-Term Disability Payments?
While long-term disability insurance policies may vary somewhat in their terms, long-term disability benefits available through an employer usually replace about 60% of your pre-disability...