Wettermark Keith Disability Benefits Lawyers: Crafting Expert Appeals for SSDI & Disability Insurance Claim Denials
Call Our Experienced Disability Claims Attorneys Today
Disabled individuals may be entitled to financial assistance through a variety of programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Disability Benefits, or private disability insurance, depending on their circumstances. Unfortunately, securing these essential disability benefits is often incredibly difficult. Due to greed, inefficiency, bureaucracy, or a combination of the three, insurance companies and federal aid organizations frequently deny valid claims, leaving thousands of Americans lacking the support they desperately need. Finding yourself stuck between a disability that prevents employment and an insurance provider unwilling to pay owed benefits is a profoundly challenging situation. After a wrongful denial, navigating a complex disability benefits system alone can make you feel powerless.
Remember, you are not alone - for over 20 years, Wettermark Keith’s dedicated disability attorneys have empowered clients to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to obtain the SSDI, SSI, VA, and disability insurance benefits they deserve. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of this niche area of law and can provide the specialized expertise you need to launch a powerful appeal. You deserve the essential medical care and financial stability these benefits were designed to provide. Our team of disability attorneys will advocate on your behalf, working tirelessly to help regain control over your future. If you’ve been denied disability benefits, contact our lawyers today – we're ready when you are.
Disability Benefits Claims: Our Areas of Expertise
With decades of experience strictly focused on disability benefits law, our disability lawyers have successfully overturned wrongful denials and won owed SSDI, SSI, VA, and insurance benefits for countless clients. Our lawyers understand how taxing the system can be - especially for those already struggling with disabilities - and strive to provide the most thoughtful, strategic, and compassionate legal representation possible.
At Wettermark Keith, our disability attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation for all types of disability benefits claims, including:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - our attorneys have won SSDI benefits for clients wrongly declared ineligible after injuries, physical disabilities, mental health disorders, and other conditions preventing gainful employment. Our lawyers can navigate all levels of appeals - and have a thorough understanding of SSDI eligibility factors.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - our SSI attorneys have utilized their deep knowledge of SSI eligibility factors related to income, assets, and living arrangements to successfully obtain benefits for countless clients who were denied despite their disability and financial need.
Veterans Disability Benefits - Our VA-accredited disability lawyers know how to effectively appeal VA claim denials. Our attorneys have won VA disability compensation for countless former military personnel wrongly denied benefits for their physical disabilities, PTSD, Agent Orange exposure, and other service-connected conditions.
Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance - our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients who have had disability insurance claims wrongly denied by private insurers. We handle appeals for both short-term (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) policies.
If your disability claim has been denied, contact our expert disability benefits lawyers right away to discuss your situation. We will carefully evaluate your case - at no upfront cost - and help you determine the strongest path forward. Don't give up on the benefits you deserve - we're here to defend your rights all the way to the courtroom.
Disability Appeals Can Be Complicated - Our Lawyers Prevent Denials From Causing Further Hardship
Disability benefits provide a vital lifeline to those unable to work and earn an income due to disability. Without these crucial resources, individuals with disabilities can face catastrophic consequences, including:
Loss of independence
Inability to afford basic necessities
Accumulation of debt
Dependence on family members for support
Loss of access to healthcare
Deterioration in health and wellbeing
Whether you’re seeking VA, Social Security, or private disability benefits, the system can be extremely complex to navigate alone. Small mistakes or lack of understanding of specific regulations could permanently damage your chances of approval. Our disability attorneys have the advanced experience required to expertly handle your claim at every stage.
Types of Disability Benefit Claims We Represent: Explained
When you’re facing the pain and frustration of an ongoing disability, it can be difficult to know exactly which financial assistance programs you’re eligible for. Read below for a summary of each disability program, their offerings and eligibility requirements, and ways our experienced team of disability lawyers can help you appeal an unjust benefits denial. Contact our team at (877) 715-9300 if you have questions about how we can help with your specific situation.
1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
One of the most common disability benefits we help clients obtain is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This federally-funded program provides monthly income and medical coverage to individuals with disabilities who previously worked and paid Social Security taxes.
However, qualifying for SSDI is extremely difficult - the Social Security Administration denies 60-70% of initial applications. Our disability attorneys have successfully helped numerous clients obtain SSDI benefits after wrongful initial denials by navigating the appeals process.
To qualify for SSDI, strict eligibility requirements must be met:
Unable to perform substantial gainful work activity due to a disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
Disability onset prior to full retirement age as defined by the SSA
Accumulated sufficient work credits through prior employment
Our experienced disability attorneys will guide you through the key steps in the SSDI appeals process:
Verifying eligibility - We thoroughly review your medical records, work history, and condition to confirm you meet the SSA's strict disability criteria and have accumulated sufficient work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Gathering medical evidence - Obtaining comprehensive documentation of your disability from all treating physicians is crucial. We will gather detailed medical records, doctors notes, imaging results, specialist evaluations, and any other relevant evidence to further validate your disability and its effects on your life.
Building a compelling appeal - Analyzing the reasons for denial, we construct a persuasive appeal highlighting evidence and arguments that prove your disability prevents substantial gainful employment. Our legal briefs have proven successful in overturning unfavorable decisions by the SSA.
Providing expert representation - If required to attend a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, your attorney will present their arguments and answer any questions, increasing the chances of a favorable benefits decision.
Verifying benefit calculations - Once your SSDI claim is approved, your disability attorney will verify that the SSA has calculated your past and ongoing monthly benefits amount correctly based on your prior earnings.
Having an experienced SSDI lawyer on your side boosts your chances of success during the appeals process without significant delays. Contact us immediately following an unfair SSDI denial so we can start the appeals process and fight to obtain the benefits you deserve.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly cash assistance and medical coverage through Medicaid to disabled individuals with very limited income and resources. SSI also covers disabilities that began in childhood prior to age 22.
The disability criteria to qualify for SS benefits are similar to SSDI. However, SSI financial eligibility rules related to income, resources, and living arrangements are both strict and complicated. Your experienced SSI disability attorney will thoroughly assess your unique situation to determine if you meet the program requirements.
If you qualify, we utilize the same methods to prove your disabled status as we do for SSDI benefits claims. Our SSI disability attorneys have the expertise to greatly improve your chances of success the second time around. Your SSI attorney will work tirelessly to:
Assess eligibility – Your attorney will request financial records to confirm you satisfy income, resource, and living arrangement requirements. This is the make-or-break factor for SSI approval.
Gather proof of your disability – As with SSDI benefits, detailed medical proof must confirm your disabling condition prevents you from maintaining employment. Your attorney will prove the severity of your disability through your medical records, doctors notes, imaging results, specialist evaluations, and other relevant evidence.
Prepare a persuasive appeal – Your attorney will build a strong case addressing any flaws or erroneous conclusions made in previous benefits denials to prove you qualify for SSI benefits given your financial situation and disability.
Represent you at appeal hearings – Your attorney will advocate on your behalf before an Administrative Law Judge to obtain benefits approval.
Verify your benefits – Once approved, your lawyer will check that your monthly SSI calculations are correct.
Hire a skilled SSI lawyer to help maximize your chances of obtaining the benefits you need to secure your future. If your SSI benefits claim was denied, contact our disability lawyers immediately at (877) 715-9300.
3. Short and Long-Term Disability
Aside from government programs, many employers provide private short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance plans. These policies deliver vital income replacement when injury or illness prevents you from working. In addition to employer-provided disability insurance, many people have private short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance plans to provide income replacement if injury or illness prevents them from working.
Unfortunately, profit-seeking insurers often deny legitimate benefits claims through corrupt and unethical means. Too frequently, disabled individuals fail to appeal under the assumption the denial is valid or because the process appears too daunting. Our disability lawyers have successfully compelled countless disability insurance companies to overturn improper denials and pay out the benefits our clients are entitled to. Whether your plan is private or provided by your employer, our attorneys are prepared to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Short-Term Disability Insurance
STD insurance provides temporary partial income replacement for a limited period, typically a few weeks to 6 months, if an injury or illness temporarily prevents an individual from working.
STD covers the following disabilities, including but not limited to:
Back pain
Broken bones
Childbirth recovery
Heart disease
Joint replacement surgery recovery
Pneumonia
Pregnancy complications
Severe asthma
Soft tissue injuries
Sprains
Tendinitis
Long-Term Disability Insurance
LTD insurance kicks in after the STD period ends, or after an elimination period, providing extended partial income replacement for those unable to work due to their disability.
LTD typically covers prolonged disabilities, including but not limited to:
ALS
Degenerative disc disease
Epilepsy
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's
Schizophrenia
Severe arthritis
Stroke
Traumatic brain injuries
How Our Attorneys Appeal Denied Disability Insurance Claims
For a short-term disability insurance case, your attorney can help you secure benefits to replace your income for several weeks or months until recovery. For a long-term and permanent disability benefits case, your disability benefits lawyer will work with you to obtain your full policy maximum.
If your short term or long term disability insurance claim was unfairly denied, you can expect your disability benefits attorney to:
Thoroughly review your policy terms and denial rationale
Obtain updated medical records that document your disabling conditions
Identify weaknesses in the insurer’s denial and construct a strong appeal
Represent you in negotiations and hearings to fight for your benefits
Ensure you receive the full monthly benefit amount once awarded
With experienced disability insurance attorneys on your side, you can feel confident we have the expertise to overturn your denial. Don't let your insurance company off the hook - contact our team today at (877) 715-9300 to discuss appealing your denied disability insurance benefits.
4. VA Disability
Far too often, American veterans who served our country return home bearing permanent scars, visible and invisible, from their military service. For their sacrifice, they deserve full access to VA disability benefits and healthcare to treat and compensate for any injuries they may have sustained during their service. Tragically, bureaucratic roadblocks and unjust denials obstruct many veterans from obtaining the VA benefits they’re entitled to by law.
At Wettermark Keith, we make it our mission to help veterans navigate the complicated VA system and appeal wrongful denials. Our accredited VA attorneys have the extensive expertise and resources necessary to effectively challenge VA decisions.
Our VA disability benefits attorneys have experience appealing denials for the following:
This compensation is for veterans who suffer from disabilities or conditions directly linked to their military service. The disability could have occurred during active duty or as a result of it, and it might not always manifest immediately after service. The level of compensation depends on the VA's rating of the severity of the disability, with percentages assigned to determine the monthly benefit amount.
Veterans with existing service-connected conditions that have deteriorated over time can apply for increased compensation benefits. Increased compensation benefits are an acknowledgment by the VA that some conditions may progress or become more debilitating. To qualify for increased compensation benefits, the veteran will need to provide medical evidence demonstrating the increased severity of their condition.
IU benefits are meant for veterans whose service-connected disabilities render them unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. While they might not be 100% disabled in VA's rating system, the nature of their disabilities might make regular employment impossible. Veterans granted IU benefits typically receive compensation at the 100% disabled rate, even if their actual VA rating is lower.
SMC benefits provide additional monthly compensation to veterans with particularly severe disabilities or a combination of disabilities that lead to an increased level of care or incapacity. Examples might include the loss or loss of use of extremities, blindness, or needing regular aid and attendance.
These monthly benefits are paid to eligible surviving spouses, children, and in some cases, parents of veterans who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or who had a service-connected disability that either caused their death or was rated as totally disabling for a specific period before death.
These benefits are primarily for low-income wartime veterans who are either 65 years or older or who are permanently and totally disabled. It's not based on service-connected disabilities but rather on financial need, age, and/or disability.
These benefits are issues to veterans who need assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, cooking, or other personal functions. A veteran might be eligible for A&A benefits if they reside in a nursing home, are bedridden, have limited eyesight, or require assistance for daily living tasks.
These benefits are designed for veterans who are substantially confined to their home due to a disability - this may or may not be service-connected.
This refers to compensation for veterans who have had amputations or who have lost the use of their extremities. This is a type of service-connected disability claim - and the VA assigns specific disability percentages based on the severity and type of limb loss or loss of use.
Veterans who have a severe disability that requires a higher level of care might be eligible for specific benefits or considerations. These veterans are typically 100% disabled.
Thanks to new PACT Act legislation, VA disability claims related to Agent Orange exposure are now easier to prove for Vietnam veterans with illnesses linked to the herbicide, including Parkinson’s disease and various cancers. Our VA lawyers will continue to stay up-to-date on emerging evidence and legal factors to maximize disability compensation for toxic exposure.
If you received an unjust VA denial, don’t give up. Our dedicated VA attorneys have the expertise to successfully appeal the VA’s decision. Let us review your case at no cost and develop an effective strategy to fight for the benefits you deserve. It is our honor and privilege to serve the veterans who served us.
Our 3-Step Process
Connect With Us:
Call our office at (877) 715-9300 or use our online form to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our Disability lawyers.
We Assess Your Claim
In our initial review, our experienced team will assess your claim and explore your options. If your claim has been unjustly denied, we’ll assign a dedicated disability benefits attorney to your case.
We Defend Your Rights
As one of the Southeast’s top disability benefis firms, Wettermark Keith is committed to ensuring your rights to compensation are upheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our disability lawyers have extensive experience assisting clients with all major types of disability benefits claims including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Affairs Disability Benefits, private short and long-term disability insurance, and more. We help clients through the full process from initial application to hearings and appeals.
The timeline varies substantially depending on factors like the agency reviewing the claim and whether appeals are necessary. For example, initial decisions on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims may take 3-6 months. If your benefits are denied and you need to appeal, the appeals process can extend to over a year - in some cases. However, our lawyers utilize strategies to expedite resolutions whenever possible.
Our disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis - meaning you only owe us legal fees if we win your case and obtain your disability benefits. This ensures our disabled clients don't pay anything upfront or take on financial risk in the disability benefits appeals process.
In order to perform a thorough case evaluation, we will need detailed information on your disability, medical records and doctor reports relevant to your condition and functional capacity, any denial letters received, and specifics on the exact disability benefits you are seeking to claim.
After securing approval, it typically takes 1-3 months to receive your first disability benefits payment. The precise timing of your benefits payment may depend on factors like the insurance or government agency's backlog and speed of processing. Your attorney will keep you updated on your particular benefits type and assist you through any benefits delays.
Your attorney will begin working on your disability benefits appeal right away. In dire cases where benefits are urgently needed, your attorney may request expedited handling of Social Security disability claims to speed up the process. Don't wait to contact us after receiving a denial notice - we will respond as promptly as possible.
Absolutely. While approval rates on second appeals are still relatively low, our disability attorneys have a proven record of success bringing new evidence and arguments to win benefits at later stages. We exhaust every option in the appeals process.
Notify your attorney immediately if your condition deteriorates or new medical issues arise so they can supplement your case with updated medical evidence. Disability assessments focus on your current disability - deteriorations may help prove disability eligibility if properly documented.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Wettermark Keith Disability Benefits Lawyers
A wrongful denial of your disability benefits can significantly disrupt your finances, healthcare, and stability. At Wettermark Keith, our experienced disability benefits attorneys provide dedicated legal representation to overturn improper denials by government organizations and insurance companies. We thoroughly examine all the facts of your unique situation and create a strategic plan to build a powerful case on your behalf. Our lawyers manage the entire appeals process from start to finish - all the way to court, if necessary - allowing you to focus on your health, recovery, and peace of mind. Together, we can work to right this wrong.
With offices located throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida, Wettermark Keith has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. Our reach is not only regional, but includes a diverse range of practice areas, including auto accidents, social security disability, medical malpractice, dog bites, and premises liability law. At Wettermark Keith, our attorneys believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion- to tell our clients’ stories and make their voices heard. We do this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust. You should never wonder what’s going on with your case. Our attorneys will keep you in the loop and represent you as if you are family- because to us, you are. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (877) 715-9300 or through our online form to set up a free consultation with our legal staff.
Wettermark Keith was extremely professional and helpful. This personal injury law firm helped my husband over 10 years ago when he fell and broke his foot on vacation. I called them first because I liked their TV commercials. They are very nice people and I would call them again if I needed a lawyer.
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Law firm Wettermark Keith has exceeded my expectations! I recommend these lawyers to anyone and everyone I come across. Their commitment to their clients is outstanding. Communication is easy. And I got my settlement very fast. I definitely recommend working with Lee Hawker. He is very gracious and kind. He looked out for me and my family and went above and beyond for us. I’m very grateful!
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I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Mark English at Wettermark Keith law firm after my car accident in December 2021. He was very thorough in everything, did a wonderful job of explaining everything that was happening, and was super easy to get in touch with when I needed him. I never had a question that was left unanswered by this lawyer. He's very kind and patient, and he made the personal injury claims process so easy for me. I absolutely recommend him, it was a pleasure working with him!
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- Madinah
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