Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®

Hosted by Nancy L. Cavey

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Episodes

224

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Nancy L. Cavey, a seasoned attorney with over forty years of experience, explains the complex world of filing for Long-Term Disability benefits. Filing for disability can be a confusing, life changing event, so with her deft expertise, Nancy will guide you through: - The ins-and-outs of ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act), which governs group Long-Term Disability claims. - Information regarding the process and lifespan of a claim, from the initial application to the request for hearing stages. - Traps and tactics disability carriers (such as Unum, The Hartford, Lincoln, and MetLife) use to hinder or deny your claim, including independent medical evaluations, surveillance, and arbitrary and capricious arguments downplaying the nature of your disability. - Insights, overviews, and claimant stories regarding disease-specific content (ranging from commonplace ailments such as workplace injuries or accidents, to difficult to diagnose illnesses such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and POTS). - Pertinent news happening in the disability world, and - Much, much more. Each episode of our podcast Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ® will expose you to invaluable tips and tricks for surviving the disability claims process (a system that is often wrought with pressures and pitfalls designed to encourage you to give up the benefits you rightfully deserve). As the host, Nancy will often be joined by guest speakers who themselves are industry experts, ranging from lawyers specializing in related fields and doctors focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, to our associate attorney Krysti Monaco. In her late teens, Nancy's father was diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who witnessed firsthand the devastating emotional and financial impact on both individual and family that being disabled and filing for benefits can have, Nancy is not just an attorney, but an empathetic presence who understands what you are going through. Do not let disability insurance carriers rob you of your peace of mind. As a nationwide practice, The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey may be able to help you get the disability benefits you deserve, regardless of where in the United States you reside. Remember - let Cavey Law be the bridge to your benefits. Check out the links below to engage with us elsewhere: Website - https://caveylaw.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CaveyLaw

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September 8, 2026Episode 2919 min

Occupational Duties and the Hidden Standards of Disability Claims

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 29 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Occupational Duties and the Hidden Standards of Disability Claims . You can have a serious medical condition and still lose your disability claim. In ERISA cases, it’s not just about whether you’re disabled, it’s about how your occupation, medical evidence, and policy language define disability in the first place. In this episode, we discuss three layers that can control the outcome of a disability claim: how occupational duties are defined, what counts as acceptable medical proof, and how courts and insurance carriers interpret an individual’s ability to work. Through real cases, we examine how claimants can lose benefits even when they cannot return to their own occupation, and why the description of an occupation can matter more than the underlying medical condition. These cases reveal how legal standards, medical evidence, and occupational descriptions intersect, and how the meaning of “ability to work” can ultimately determine whether disability benefits are won or lost. This episode offers a closer look at the factors that shape ERISA disability claims and provides insight into why a diagnosis alone may not be enough to secure benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Challenging a Disability Carrier’s Denial of Disability Insurance Benefits on the Basis That the Carrier Failed to Consider the Policyholder’s Essential Work Functions Two - Does Your FedEx Disability Plan Require That Your Disability Claim “Be Substantiated by Significant Objective Medical Findings?” Three - Does an Inability to Do Even Sedentary Work In a Social Security Case Render You Permanently Totally Disabled Under ERISA Plans? Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

September 1, 2026Episode 2821 min

The Hartford Playbook: Surveillance, IMEs, and Claim Terminations

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 28 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into The Hartford Playbook: Surveillance, IMEs, and Claim Terminations . Disability benefits are a financial safety net when an illness or injury prevents someone from working. But even after a claim has been approved and benefits are being paid, insurers may continue to scrutinize a claimant’s condition, medical records, and daily activities in search of grounds to terminate those benefits. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey pulls back the curtain on what some attorneys call “The Hartford Playbook”, a pattern of surveillance, independent medical examinations, paper reviews, and claim terminations that has repeatedly been challenged in federal court. Through three real Hartford disability cases, attorney Cavey examines how surveillance footage, statements from treating physicians, changes in plan administration, and reviews of years of medical records can become the basis for terminating Long-Term Disability benefits. Together, these cases reveal common strategies insurers may use to challenge claims and the legal arguments that can arise when benefits are placed at risk. This episode offers a closer look at the scrutiny that can continue after a claim is approved and provides insights for anyone receiving or relying on Long-Term Disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Hartford IME Dooms Residential Treatment Nurse's Claim for Continuing Disability ERISA Disability Benefits - The Triple Tap Defense Game Two - What Hartford Did When a Policyholder's Doctor Said "He Was Hopeful the Policyholder Could Return to Work In Six Months" Three - Change in Employer and Plan Administrator to Hartford Results in Claim Denial of Benefits After Five Years of Continuous Payment of Benefits Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

July 28, 2026Episode 2743 min

When Life Changes Fast: How to Protect Your Financial Future (With Guest Glen Golish)

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 27 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into When Life Changes Fast: How to Protect Your Financial Future (With Guest Glen Golish) . Financial planning is often built on the expectation that income will remain steady over time. But when a disability, serious illness, or other unexpected life event disrupts that income, even carefully constructed financial plans can be put to the test. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey is joined by Glen Golish, LUTCF®, CFBS®, BSP, to examine how financial planning strategies should adapt when someone transitions from earning a paycheck to relying on Long-Term Disability benefits. Together, they explore financial gaps that can emerge during this transition, the role life insurance and long-term care planning can play in creating greater flexibility and security, and the costly decisions people often postpone until it's too late. This episode explores practical planning strategies and common pitfalls and offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to build a financial plan that can withstand life's uncertainties. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - From Income Protection to Financial Strategy Two - Tools for Financial Protection Three - Avoiding Pitfalls and Planning Ahead Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

July 21, 2026Episode 2626 min

ERISA Disability Appeals: What the Insurance Company Hopes You Never Learn

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 26 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into ERISA Disability Appeals: What the Insurance Company Hopes You Never Learn . Claimants appealing the denial of Long-Term Disability benefits under ERISA feel overwhelmed by insurance companies that appear to control every aspect of the claims process. Yet, insurers are bound by federal regulations that govern how disability claims must be evaluated, and understanding those rules can make all the difference during an appeal. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey takes an in-depth look at the hidden mechanics of the ERISA disability appeals process by examining the tactics insurers commonly use to deny claims and the legal standards that can be used to challenge those decisions. Through the analysis of three recent federal court cases, she explains how claimants can identify insurer strategies, build stronger appeals, and better protect their rights while pursuing the disability benefits they deserve. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2560.503-1 Two - Three Federal Court Cases That Exposed the Insurance Company Playbook Three - Building Your ERISA Survival Playbook Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

July 14, 2026Episode 2527 min

Unum Exposed: The Tactics Behind Disability Claim Denials

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 25 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into Unum Exposed: The Tactics Behind Disability Claim Denials . Claimants pursuing Long-Term Disability benefits face more than the burden of proving they cannot work, as they must also contend with insurers that aggressively scrutinize medical evidence, reinterpret policy provisions, and use procedural tactics to justify claim denials. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines how Unum evaluates disability claims by analyzing three recent federal court decisions that reveal common strategies used to challenge claims. By exploring these cases, she explains how claimants can anticipate insurer tactics, strengthen their evidence, prepare themselves, and protect their rights throughout the disability claims process. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Introduction to 29 CFR and Why It Is Important in ERISA Cases Two - A Summary of Three Cases, the Games That Unum Tried to Play, and What the Courts Ruled Three - What ERISA Policyholders Can Learn From These Three Cases Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

July 7, 2026Episode 2424 min

When Disability Claims Get Reassessed: Vocational Reviews, DIY Legal Traps, and the Hidden Risks in Building Your Own Case

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 24 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into When Disability Claims Get Reassessed: Vocational Reviews, DIY Legal Traps, and the Hidden Risks in Building Your Own Case . Disability claims are often complicated not because a claimant's medical condition improves, but because the standard used to evaluate disability shifts over time. As policies transition from "own occupation" to "any occupation" standards, insurers rely on vocational reviews, transferable skills analyses, labor market assessments, and other tools to argue that claimants remain capable of working despite ongoing functional limitations. At the same time, many claimants attempt to strengthen their claims by interpreting policy language, organizing evidence, or using AI-assisted research without recognizing how those efforts can affect the administrative record under ERISA. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines how disability claims are challenged during vocational reassessments, why the administrative record (not personal narrative) drives claim decisions, and how well-intentioned self-advocacy can unintentionally affect the outcome. Together, these insights demonstrate that ERISA disability claims are often determined less by how disability is experienced than by how it is documented and communicated through the framework insurers use to evaluate eligibility for Long-Term Disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - How Vocational Reviews Are Used to Terminate Disability Benefits Two - The Hidden Risks of DIY Legal Strategy in Disability Claims Three - Why Using AI for Your Disability Case Can Backfire Legally Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

June 30, 2026Episode 2328 min

The Burden of Proof: Inside Neurological Disability Claims

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 23 of Winning Isn't Easy: Long-Term Disability ®. In this episode, we'll dive into The Burden of Proof: Inside Neurological Disability Claims . Disability insurance claims involving neurological conditions are frequently misinterpreted as disputes solely over medical evidence, but the outcome often hinges on how symptoms are documented in medical records and how they are interpreted and evaluated under ERISA. Conditions such as migraines, Parkinson's disease, and trigeminal neuralgia can result in profound functional limitations while leaving little objective evidence on imaging or clinical testing, creating opportunities for insurers to challenge the severity of a claimant's disability. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines three disability cases that illustrate how carriers rely on treatment gaps, reports of improvement, normal diagnostic findings, and perceived inconsistencies in medical records to deny or terminate benefits. She discusses a chronic migraine claim upheld in federal court, strategies for documenting subjective Parkinson's symptoms, and a trigeminal neuralgia case in which a federal judge rejected an insurer's demand for objective proof of debilitating pain. Together, these cases demonstrate that medical records serve as both treatment histories and the foundation of ERISA disability claims, shaping how insurers and courts evaluate eligibility for Long-Term Disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - How to Avoid Having Your Chronic Migraine Long-Term Disability Claim Denied Two - Tips on How to Document Dizziness, Vertigo, and Balance Problems in Your ERISA Parkinson’s Case Three - Does Trigeminal Neuralgia Qualify as a Sickness or Injury Under a Cigna Disability Insurance Policy? Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Social Security ®. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

June 23, 2026Episode 2223 min

When the Body Breaks but the Policy Doesn’t Listen

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 22 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into When the Body Breaks but the Policy Doesn’t Listen . Disability insurance claims are often presented as questions of medical evidence, but the outcome frequently depends on something else entirely: how a person's limitations are defined, classified, and translated into policy language. The gap between experience and contractual definitions can become especially significant when insurers evaluate complex occupations, subjective symptoms, or functional impairments that do not fit neatly into standardized vocational categories. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines three disability cases that illustrate how these disputes arise and why occupational definitions often play a central role in claim decisions. She discusses the challenges faced by a river pilot with long COVID symptoms, the importance of "own occupation" language in disability policies, and the difficulties of assessing chronic pain and medication-related cognitive impairments within the framework of vocational analysis. Together, these issues demonstrate that disability claims are rarely determined by medical diagnoses alone. Instead, they reveal how medical evidence, occupational duties, vocational classifications, and legal standards intersect to shape disability determinations, and why understanding that process is critical when pursuing Long-Term Disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - Rolling, Rolling Down the River - How the River Pilot With Long COVID Lost His Unum ERISA Disability Claim Two - When Definitions Decide Disability - Why “Own Occupation” Is Often the Real Battleground Three - Don’t Let a Disability Carrier or Plan Ignore How Long-Term Opioid Use and Side Effects Can Prevent You From Performing Your Own Occupation Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

June 16, 2026Episode 2122 min

Burns and Long-Term Disability

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 21 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into Burns and Long-Term Disability . Burn injuries are often viewed as acute medical events, but their effects can extend far beyond the initial incident. Depending on the depth and severity of the injury, burns can lead to lasting complications such as chronic pain, infection, scarring, contractures, and permanent functional limitations that affect a person's ability to work and perform everyday activities. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines how burn injuries are classified, how they are treated, and the long-term physical consequences they can produce. She discusses the medical progression of burn injuries, the challenges associated with recovery and rehabilitation, and the factors disability carriers consider when evaluating whether a burn-related condition has become a disabling impairment. Together, these issues illustrate how a burn injury can evolve from a temporary medical condition into a Long-Term Disability claim, and why understanding the medical and functional impact of burns is critical when pursuing disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - What Burns Are (Definition, Types, Causes) Two - Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment Three - Burns and Long-Term Disability Evaluation Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

June 9, 2026Episode 2024 min

The Technical Rules That Decide ERISA Disability Claims

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode. Welcome to Season 6, Episode 20 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into The Technical Rules That Decide ERISA Disability Claims . ERISA disability claims are often decided not only by medical evidence, but by technical policy provisions that many claimants never realize will determine the outcome of their case. Terms that appear straightforward (such as “active employment,” “regular attendance” of a physician, or whether a condition is classified as an “injury” or a “sickness”) can significantly affect eligibility for benefits and how long those benefits will last. In this episode, attorney Nancy Cavey examines three real disability cases that illustrate how seemingly minor policy language can have life-changing consequences. She discusses a physician who unknowingly lost his disability coverage after reducing his work hours, an insurer’s attempt to deny benefits based on its interpretation of a treatment requirement, and a surgeon whose lifetime benefits hinged on the distinction between an accident and an injury. Together, these cases reveal how technical definitions and policy language can shape the outcome of ERISA disability claims, and why understanding these rules before making critical decisions is essential to protecting disability benefits. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: One - The Danger of Reducing Your Hours Two - What Does the Term “Regular Attendance” Mean in an ERISA Disability Claim and How Disability RMS Weaponized “Regular Attendance” to Deny a Valid Claim Three - How the Difference Between the Terms Accident and Injury Can Impact How Long You Get Your ERISA Disability Benefits Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it. Listen to Our Sister Podcast: We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/ Need Help Today?: Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast. Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve. Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

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