Disability Policy Lawyers for Doctors

The Tennessee disability policy lawyers at Pepper Law understand the challenges faced by doctors in obtaining long-term disability benefits. The lawyers at Pepper Law have extensive experience representing physicians trying to obtain long-term disability benefits.

In our law practice, the doctors we meet enjoy their jobs and take immense satisfaction in helping their patients. When they apply for long-term disability benefits, it is only after careful consideration. We understand the difficult decision physicians make when they decide to make a claim, and we use our knowledge and expertise to help them receive the long-term disability benefits to which they are entitled.

Long-term disability cases for physicians are unique. Because the benefits payable to physicians under disability policies typically provide for substantial monthly payments (and, sometimes, for lifetime payments), physicians can expect insurance companies to oppose their claims vigorously.

Insurance companies often strategically ignore how an injury or condition affects a doctor’s ability to engage in his or her practice exponentially more than the same injury or condition would affect someone in a different occupation. For example, a relatively minor tendon injury or other anatomical or neurological condition that would not affect a systems analyst could have devastating consequences on a surgeon. Similarly, individuals in other fields may be able to manage conditions that cause pain and stiffness through workplace accommodations. Many physicians, however, have less flexible schedules and routines and, as a result, have more challenges in accommodating their disabilities.

The Tennessee disability policy lawyers at Pepper Law understand the unique challenges faced by doctors dealing with disabilities. They know how to assist their clients in obtaining benefits in the face of insurance companies throwing up all the hurdles which they can.

In our experience, insurance companies purposefully refuse to recognize how certain conditions that affect an individual’s cognition or fine motor skills, or both, may prevent a doctor from being able to practice medicine safely. Few professions have less margins for error than the medical profession. Insurance companies, however, often ignore this fact. As a result, an insurance company may deny a doctor’s claim for long-term disability benefits without evaluating the cognitive and physical demands of that doctor’s unique practice and specialty. The Tennessee disability insurance lawyers at Pepper Law understand the tactics and strategies used by insurance companies to deny claims and know how to combat them.

In evaluating doctors’ disability claims, insurance companies may also use information in medical records out of context and may evaluate doctors based on what they are able to do on their best days. Insurance companies regularly ignore the fact that, with many conditions, symptoms can vary in intensity. Disability insurance policies issued to physicians do not limit coverage only to conditions which prevent doctors from engaging in their practices to the same extent as they did pre-disability, but that does not stop insurance companies from denying claims just because physicians have returned to practice in some capacity.

At Pepper Law, we are proactive in helping doctors qualify for long-term disability benefits. We highly recommend that physicians consult with us prior to submitting their initial claim for disability benefits. Claim forms written by insurance companies often contain questions which are nuanced in a way to elicit an answer that supports a denial of benefits. We understand those nuances and how to craft responses that will support a physician’s claim.

At the administrative appeal stage, we know how to enhance the record with medical information and detailed affidavits from claimants, and, where necessary, their colleagues. We take it upon ourselves to become knowledgeable about all of the tasks of our clients’ jobs, and on how their conditions impact their particular surgical and clinical practices.

The Tennessee disability insurance attorneys at Pepper Law are highly-rated trial lawyers with extensive trial experience. Furthermore, the firm does not engage in a large volume disability practice so our lawyers have the time necessary for physicians’ disability cases. That is important for physicians as, due to the value of their claims, they need lawyers who have the time and trial skills to prepare a case for trial and to try it.

If you are a doctor faced with a condition or injury that entitles you to long-term disability benefits, contact us for more information and assistance.