What attorneys in the Dallas metropolitan area handle both LTD (long
term disability policies) applications AND Social Security Disability
applications on behalf of NEW applicants for disability benefits?
The key issues: (1) I need combined expertise in both LTD and SSD
because the applications affect each other. (2) I need a lawyer to
help me with the INITIAL applications because they'll likely be denied
if not documented very precisely from the start. (This is because it
is difficult to verify migraines with physical tests.)
My situation: I have recently become unable to work due to
increasingly severe headaches for which I have been seeing doctors for
several years. I am covered under an individual disability insurance
policy that I was offered by my former employer's LTD carrier. I'm
told I need a lawyer to assure that I receive all the benefits I'm
entitled to under such a policy.
Regarding Social Security Disabibility benenfits, I'm told a lawyer's
participation speeds a claim process considerably and greatly
increases the likelihood of ever getting the benefits.
I'm also told that it's probably best to process both applications in
tandem because the amount awarded under the commercial insurance
policy may be affected by the Social Security benefits claimed. Also,
I believe the campaign would be best coordinated if both applications
are handled by the same attorney, and I figure one attorney would be
less expensive than two. As you may imagine, I'm already financially
strapped.
From my research so far, there seem to be a lot of Social Security
specialists and just a few LTD policy specialists working for benefits
seekers. But I've found only one (now two) attorney(s) who do both
and I really want more choices.
Because of my disability, it's hard for me to sit at a computer to do
the research adequately myself. Even this question to Google Answers
is being composed and submitted by a friend on my behalf. Thank you
in advance for your efforts.
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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 10 Apr 2003 17:24
PDT (the day before the original posting automatically closed)
Hi cicada-ga,
Who is the attorney you found? I found one for sure, but it might be
the same as the one you have. I have several other possibilities but
it's past 5pm in Dallas and not one is answering the phone.
I'll check this question thread in the am...
--Cynthia
Answer (on new posting): Cynthia, sorry for the delay before
re-posting the question. So far we've found (1) Richard Evarg of
Consensus Solutions, Inc. and (2)Barrett Stetson.
Thank you, Cynthia, for your efforts so far. Hope you're successful
in finding more. -- Cicada
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments to the original post that closed automatically on April 11,
2003:
Subject: Re: LTD & SS disability benefits lawyers in or near Dallas,
Texas
From: martinjay-ga on 12 Mar 2003 17:22 PST
Best way to get a good lawyer in Dallas is to call
a good one and ask if they do it, or if not, who.
I have used this firm extensively and on my
own behalf and everyone I have sent there, can
highly recommend them regarding my first statement.
They are a top firm whose rates are competitive.
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P.
5956 Sherry Lane, 14th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75225
(214) 706-4200
- Martinjay-GA
Subject: Re: LTD & SS disability benefits lawyers in or near Dallas,
Texas
From: ericynot-ga on 13 Mar 2003 07:33 PST
Hi cicada-ga,
It appears that there may not be a firm in the Dallas area which
meets
your criteria. I shared your situation, word-for-word as you explained
it, with Kraft & Associates, a leading Dallas law firm, and received
this response:
-----------------------
Thank you for your inquiry. I'm afraid we do not handle LTD claims and
I don't know anyone locally who does both LTD and SS. Sorry.
Generally, LTD policies have a clause taking a credit or offset for
any benefits paid under SS.
Robert A. Kraft
Kraft & Associates
Injury and Disability Claims
2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1300
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 999-9999
(817) 999-9999
(800) 989-9999
mailto:rkraft@kraftlaw.com
www.kraftlaw.com
-----------------------
I wish I could provide better news, but evidently it's not to be. Best
wishes with your situation. If Google Answers can help with other
related issues, please let us know.
ericynot-ga
Resonse (on new posting): Thank you both for your ideas, inquiries,
and suggestions. We've just gotta keep trying. |
Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
25 Apr 2003 09:30 PDT
Hi cicada,
Call these folks and let me know if you find them acceptable. The
first one is especially good:
Stanley Denman & Associates
5025 N. Central, Ste. 2004
Dallas, Texas
Phone: (214) 219-7288
Stan Denman, a local lawyer specializing in social security
disability, has begun publishing a newsletter on social security
disability for clients, former clients, or anyone interested in SSDI.
Topics include information on the assessment process, improving your
chances, changes within the SSA that may affect your continued
eligibility, the review process, and return-to-work issues.
Chat Transcript
http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa030600.htm.
Here's a chat transcript where Mr. Denman talks to claimants about SSD
and LTD:
Coats & Todd
Attorneys At Law, P. C.
Dallas: 972-671-9922
Mike Everett
6116 N. Central Expwy, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75206
Phone: (214) 890-7800
Fax: (214) 890-7803
--Cynthia
|
Clarification of Question by
cicada-ga
on
29 Apr 2003 17:14 PDT
Cynthia,
We talked to Stanley Denman (& Associates) in the past. He's very
clear that he won't work with a client before first rejection.
We also talked to Mike Everett in the past. We were given to
understand that he does not do LTD work. But he left us a couple of
phone messages afterward. So, following your suggestion, we'll check
with him again.
We never heard of Coats & Todd before. So, within another day or two
we'll check him out as well. If either Everett or Coats & Todd meets
the criteria of doing SS & LTD & willing to work on initial
applications, we'll let you know ASAP, with much appreciation, and you
can close this question. I'm sorry our turnaround is so slow. It's
due to the disability at the center of all this.
FYI, on our own, we've now located a third lawyer who meets the
criteria. His name is Lannny Perkins. But we're still very
interested in more choices. We're going to be putting my whole future
in the lawyer's hands, so it's no small decision, and the research is
worth the effort.
Thank you, again.
-- Cicada
|
