Pittsburgh Long-Term Disability Lawyers

Helping Pennsylvania Residents Access the Benefits They Need

If you are unable to work due to a severe injury or illness, you may be eligible to receive long-term disability benefits. These benefits can make a world of difference, helping you support yourself and your family during what may be one of the toughest times of your life.

Sadly, however, accessing these benefits may prove to be a lengthy and complex process, which is why it’s important to work with a Pittsburgh long-term disability lawyer.

Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., has a team of compassionate lawyers and support staff dedicated to helping you obtain your long-term disability insurance benefits. For over 40 years, we have helped Pennsylvania residents re-qualify for these benefits, as well as obtain lump-sum payments to cover their financial needs. We will put our all into pursuing your claim because we truly care about you!

Call us today at (844) 383-0565 to schedule your free consultation with a Pittsburgh long-term disability attorney. We accept cases throughout Pennsylvania.

What is Long-Term Disability?

Long-term disability (LTD) refers to an insurance policy that provides income replacement for individuals who cannot work due to a disabling illness or injury for an extended period. Unlike short-term disability insurance, which typically covers shorter periods of incapacity, long-term disability insurance kicks in after a waiting period, usually ranging from 90 days to six months, and can continue for years or until the individual reaches retirement age, depending on the terms of the policy.

Here are some benefits typically associated with long-term disability insurance:

• Income Replacement: Long-term disability insurance provides a percentage of your pre-disability income as monthly payments, typically ranging from 50% to 70% of your salary. This ensures that you can continue to meet your financial obligations even if you're unable to work.
• Coverage for Various Disabilities: Long-term disability insurance usually covers a wide range of disabilities, whether they result from accidents, illnesses, or mental health conditions, as long as they prevent you from performing the essential duties of your occupation or any occupation, depending on the policy's terms.
• Duration of Benefits: Depending on the policy, long-term disability benefits may continue until you recover and can return to work, reach a specified age (e.g., retirement age), or for a predetermined maximum benefit period, such as two years, five years, or until age 65.
• Rehabilitation Support: Some long-term disability policies offer vocational rehabilitation services or support to help you return to work when medically feasible. This may include vocational training, education, or job placement assistance.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Some policies include provisions for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), which increase your benefit payments over time to keep pace with inflation, ensuring that the purchasing power of your benefits doesn't diminish.
• Tax Benefits: In some cases, if you pay the premiums for your long-term disability insurance with after-tax dollars, the benefits you receive may be tax-free. However, if your employer pays the premiums or if you deduct the premiums as a business expense, the benefits may be subject to income tax.

How Does Long-Term Disability Work?

Although some employees purchase their own long-term disability insurance, most employers offer it as an employee benefit under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Under most of these plans, if your claim is denied, you only have 180 days to file an appeal. If you don’t meet this deadline, you may lose access to the financial support you need and deserve.

It takes hard work and preparation to file a successful claim. Robert Peirce & Associates can help you through the entire process, working tirelessly to handle the brunt of the work. If needed, we can also guide you through the appeals process. Should the insurer continue to deny your claim, we are fully prepared to take them to court on your behalf.

Who Can File for Long-Term Disability?

At Robert Peirce & Associates, we have helped Pennsylvania workers from a variety of sectors obtain long-term disability benefits, such as:

• Athletes
• Commercial vehicle drivers
• First responders
• Government workers
• Medical professionals
• Private sector employees

We understand how frustrating it can be to find yourself suddenly disabled—not only does it impact your finances but also your well-being. That’s why we will work to resolve your claim quickly and efficiently, never forgetting the human element of our work. In fact, we are known for treating our clients like our good friends and neighbors.

Injuries that Can Lead to Long-Term Disability Benefits

Since we opened our firm, we have helped countless clients collect disability benefits after suffering injuries and health conditions, including but not limited to:

• Cancers
• Mental illnesses
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Substance abuse disorders

This is not a complete list. If your disability is not listed but has left you unable to work, we urge you to contact our firm. You may be eligible to file a long-term disability claim.

Don’t Wait to Book Your Free Consultation

At Robert Peirce & Associates, we have a proven track record of success and understand how to present a strong long-term disability claim on behalf of our clients. Backed by more than 40 years of experience, we know the claims, appeals, and legal processes like the backs of our hands. When you're ready to proceed, we'll be here to assist you.

To find out how we can improve your chances of obtaining benefits, reach out to our experienced Pittsburgh long-term disability attorneys online or at (844) 383-0565.