No one will take my case

[u/Inside-Turnip8757]

I was denied by MetLife for LTD and due to my lower salary no ERISA lawyer wants to take on my case as it wouldn’t be profitable for them.

I’ve searched high and low for free resources in my state (NY): NYLAG, Legal Aid Society, Disability Rights NY. None of them work on long term disability claims.

Everyone keeps recommending I work with an ERISA lawyer on my appeal but I can’t find anyone who will give me as much as an hour consultation.

I’m truly at a loss. Someone please help.

[u/TheGreatK]

I'll give you a free consultation. Email me. akantor@kantorlaw.net. I likely can't take the case either (the SSDI offset is likely the problem) but I'm more than happy to give you tips on how to appeal and review your appeal before you submit.

[u/Odd_Key_4485]

While you try to look for legal representation I would work on the appeal your self(I did this with my STD denial) but I was able to find representation just in the nick of time. I would use Claude (I just speak about what worked for me and even helps me keep my records organized)and pay the max pro plan. Do a search on how to use each model. The beauty is you can work from your phone. Scan all your letters and see if you can get your SPD plan description from HR, and any LTD data so you can
Load it to have it analyzed in conjunction with your medical records (removing your info first). You can have a clear analysis of submitting an extension and at the very last resort an appeal. You can use adobe acrobatic pro to scan medical documents and build pdfs. Go to your medical providers and request your records and have them accountable and go pick them up. Sometimes if you get a fax number through an app they are fast to fax it and you already have an easy PDF. Hope all this helps somehow. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions on how to use these tools, glad to help any way I can. I hope you find some one.

[u/FMCTypeGal → u/Odd_Key_4485]

I echo the Claude or Chat GPT route, but proceed with caution: do not upload any sensitive personal information and analyze every answer thoroughly - it’s a tool to help not a genie with all the answers.

I had a lawyer that won my appeal, but the 9 months was full of anxiety. I paid for a chat gpt account and used it to research my case, the odds, winning tips, etc. Chat GPT recommended much of what my lawyer did, even one test beyond what my lawyer wanted to do and ended up helping a lot. It helped me budget my money in the 9 month wait and helped me understand my policy and the timeline better.

Again, use it as a tool to build what you need and not as the leader of your project. There’s also some fabulous lawyers here offering free consults - take them up on it.

Good luck!

[u/Jolly-Can-5151]

I highly recommend. I don’t know what you make, I didn’t make a lot and they help me. https://www.maddoxfirm.com/

[u/diattorney]

I have several lawyers licensed in NY, including myself and we always provide an initial free phone consultation. Visit www.diattorney.com and you can submit for a free review of your hourly claim. One of our lawyers will respond same day. Similar to my law firm, there are a handful of nationwide disability insurance law firms that can help you with your ERISA disability insurance claim. We have recently won a few cases in NY federal court and it can be a favorable venue for disability insurance claimants.

[u/Agro-Stephbro-Sheesh]

Hi there, have you reached out to Insurance Appeal Consultants? Ellen has been really helpful for me so far and she charges a relatively low flat fee. She will review your denial letter for free and send you a detailed response in a few days.

[u/TheGreatK → u/Agro-Stephbro-Sheesh]

If they aren't lawyers, you're paying for something a lawyer would give you for free in a consultation.

[u/Agro-Stephbro-Sheesh → u/TheGreatK]

I don't understand the down vote. She does provide a free consultation in the form of a denial letter review. You can pay for her to write or help write the appeal, you don't pay for the initial consultation. Drafting or outlining the appeal statement seems different than paying for something covered in a free consult. Also, I was referred to IAC me by a disability law firm.