Long-term disability insurance policies for professionals, unlike other types of long-term disability coverage, are often individual plans, requiring a paramedical examination, with specific policy language. This is because dentists are potentially high earners in a profession that, generally speaking, requires them to stand, sit, or stoop, for long periods of time.
Like many professional long-term disability policies, dentist long-term disability policies usually contain more complex policy language than standard group policies, which can often offer insurance companies more opportunities to deny legitimate claims. An experienced insurance denial lawyer will be able to help navigate these policy issues while managing your claim.
Common Disabling Dentist Injuries & Conditions
Any number of injuries or conditions can impact a dentist’s ability to work to the point of disability. Some of the more common injuries are:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Soft tissue injuries
- Double crush syndrome
- Depression and other psychological conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal injuries
- Nerve injury
- Vision Loss
- Concussions
- Brain injuries
Along with the forgoing injuries, there are numerous other medical conditions that could arise and result in a disability, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, epilepsy, and strokes, amongst other conditions.
Top Reasons Dentists Are Denied Long-Term Disability
Insurance companies deny long-term disability claims for several reasons, including insufficient medical evidence, exclusions under the policy, and alleged non-compliance with recommended medical treatment or procedure under the terms of the policy.
Dentists seeking to rely on their long-term disability benefits will find they have to navigate a complex claims process, often requiring extensive medical documentation, often from specifically required specialists. Even with a legitimate disability, dentists may find their claims denied or terminated at some point throughout the process.
Often the disabling condition(s) in dental long-term disability claims relate to an inability to maintain positions of prolonged and repetitive sitting and standing while stooping without causing pain. Often insurance companies will take a dim view of a dentist who says they can’t work due to strain from stopping over a patient’s mouth for too long, however, the reality is working in pain is not something anyone should have to do, and to do so when you are a dental professional could end up resulting in a claim for dental negligence.
Dentists have long-term disability coverage for a reason and should be entitled to rely on it in times of need without worrying about an insurance company denying their claim for benefits under their policy.
Dentist Long-Term Disability Lawyers
If you or someone you know has been denied their legitimate dentist long-term disability claim, the experienced insurance denial lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP can help ensure you get the insurance benefits you are entitled to.
To help expedite a review of your claim, please have a copy of your long-term disability denial letter, a copy of your long-term disability policy, and ideally, a copy of your file with the insurance company. Your file materials with the insurance company belong to you and your insurer will provide you with them if you request a copy. If you haven’t already requested a copy of your file materials after your long-term disability was denied, do so today, as your lawyer will need your insurance file to properly pursue your claim for long-term disability benefits.
There are strict timelines for starting a lawsuit for denied long-term disability benefits, so contact the experienced lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP today for a free consultation.