Download PDF Version Using a Global Assessment of Functioning Score in a Disability Benefits Case. This newsletter often focuses on technical aspects of ERISA and Social Security disability claims, but it’s important to remember that without a good understanding of the underlying medical issues, all the technical knowledge in the world will get you nowhere. What’s really required to handle… READ MORE

How to Read It and Understand It Download PDF Version In an ERISA long term disability (“LTD”) case, one of the most important parts of the case is understanding the terms of the ERISA policy or plan. Thus, a lawyer who practices in this area must have the skills to effectively read an ERISA LTD policy or plan, to identify… READ MORE

The relevance of improvement or worsening to disability determination Download PDF Version With few exceptions, our clients’ medical conditions are rarely static. And quite frequently, the medical condition existed prior to the date the client ceased working. Is it proper for an insurer to terminate benefits when there is no evidence the underlying medical condition has improved? Is it proper… READ MORE

By Eric L. Buchanan Download PDF Version The Supreme Court has issued its latest decision in the ongoing saga of what rights plans have to recover health benefits previously paid to plan participants and beneficiaries. In US Airways, Inc. v. McCutchen, ___, U.S. ____, 2013 U.S. LEXIS 3156 (U.S. Apr. 16, 2013), the Court held that plan participants could not… READ MORE

Download PDF Version Litigating long term disability claims subject to ERISA can be a complex and confusing process.  One of the most frustrating aspects of ERISA litigation is that the federal courts’ review of evidence in these cases is very limited.  Courts’ application of this rule is sometimes confusing and conflicting, leaving attorneys perplexed as to how to navigate the… READ MORE