If you鈥檙e navigating a long term disability insurance claim鈥攚hether it鈥檚 through your employer (an ERISA policy) or a private individual disability insurance (IDI) policy鈥攜ou may be feeling overwhelmed. The process can be confusing, time-sensitive, and emotionally draining. Choosing the right disability insurance law firm can make a real difference in how smoothly your claim is handled and how well your benefits are protected.
Long term disability claims are complex. They require a strong legal strategy, detailed medical documentation, and a deep understanding of how insurance companies operate. Whether you're filing an initial claim, responding to a denial, or preparing for a disability appeal, having an experienced legal team on your side can help reduce stress and improve your chances of success.
Many professionals and executives carry both ERISA disability insurance and private disability insurance. These policies often overlap, but they follow different legal rules and define 鈥渄isability鈥� differently. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to work with a firm that understands how to coordinate across both types of coverage.
At Riemer Hess, we鈥檝e spent over 30 years representing professionals, executives, and other high-income earners with complex disability claims. This guide explains how to choose the right ERISA disability law firm, what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make a confident, informed decision.
Filing a disability claim isn鈥檛 just about legal strategy. It often comes at a time when your health, identity, and financial stability are already under strain. Many of our clients are high-performing professionals who are used to being in control鈥攕o facing uncertainty about work can feel disorienting.
At Riemer Hess, we aim to reduce鈥攏ot add to鈥攖hat stress. We explain each step, set realistic expectations, and answer your questions in plain terms. We know this process can be unfamiliar and emotionally taxing. Our job is to make it more manageable, not more confusing.
You鈥檒l never be left wondering what鈥檚 happening with your claim. We provide guidance, not jargon. Support, not pressure.
ERISA disability claims involve group policies provided by your employer. These are governed by federal law and subject to strict administrative rules:
Short appeal deadlines (usually 180 days)
Limited ability to add evidence after the appeal
Federal court litigation with no jury trial and limited discovery
Private disability insurance claims (also called individual disability insurance or IDI) are governed by state contract law. These policies are purchased on your own鈥攐ften with the help of a financial advisor or broker. They typically offer:
If you have both types of coverage, it鈥檚 important to coordinate your legal strategy. The two policies often overlap鈥攂ut they may define disability differently, calculate benefits differently, and respond to the same medical evidence in different ways.
At Riemer Hess, we regularly handle claims involving both ERISA and IDI policies.
A disability law firm helps individuals secure income protection benefits when medical issues interfere with their ability to work. That includes:
Reviewing and interpreting your disability policy (or policies)
Coordinating medical and occupational documentation
Working with your doctors to develop strong written support
Managing communications with the insurance company
Preparing a comprehensive and strategic appeal, if needed
Litigating in federal or state court when necessary
At Riemer Hess, we take a litigation-minded approach from the beginning鈥攂uilding each claim or appeal file as though it may end up in court, while doing everything possible to avoid litigation. This strategy helps ensure your evidence is clear, credible, and complete.
We also recognize that disability claims are personal. Most of our clients are high-functioning professionals who are used to being in control. A disabling condition鈥攁nd the loss of identity or income that can come with it鈥攃an feel deeply destabilizing. We aim to make the process easier, not harder.
Some firms only handle one or the other. That can lead to missed opportunities鈥攅specially if your claim involves multiple policies.
At Riemer Hess, we have decades of experience with both. We know how to:
Interpret and coordinate overlapping policies
Navigate both federal (ERISA) and state (IDI) legal standards
Tailor strategies to fit each policy鈥檚 language and structure
Help ensure your benefits are fully and properly paid
Whether your policy comes from your employer, your financial advisor, or both, we鈥檒l help you protect the full scope of your coverage.
Disability looks different at the executive and professional level. These claims often involve:
Complex job duties and performance expectations
High compensation with variable or bonus-based income
Demanding schedules, leadership responsibilities, and travel
Profound career impact from impairments others might not consider 鈥渄isabling鈥� in a general sense
We regularly represent:
Physicians, surgeons, and dentists
Attorneys and law firm partners
Executives in finance, tech, marketing, and healthcare
Academic leaders, hospital administrators, and consultants
We take the time to understand your role, your symptoms, and how your condition truly interferes with your ability to work.
Even when you鈥檙e hoping not to sue, preparing your claim or appeal with litigation in mind gives you leverage. It also helps protect your rights if the insurer later denies the claim or refuses to pay what you鈥檙e owed.
We build every file as if it will be reviewed by a judge. This proactive approach ensures that our clients have the strongest possible file, and the insurers know that.
We鈥檙e here to guide鈥攏ot overwhelm. Our team answers your questions, sets clear expectations, and explains the process in terms you can understand. We know this isn鈥檛 just legal鈥攊t鈥檚 emotional. You deserve to feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the process.
Yes. Many of our clients have both types of policies. We routinely coordinate strategy across ERISA (group) and private (IDI) policies.
If you have your coverage through your employer, it鈥檚 likely governed by ERISA. If you purchased the policy directly (or through a financial advisor), it鈥檚 usually a private IDI policy governed by state law.
Yes. Early involvement helps ensure your file is strong from the start鈥攅specially important in ERISA cases, where appeals are often your last chance to submit evidence.
Yes. While earlier involvement gives us more room to shape the record, we can still assist if you鈥檝e already filed. We鈥檒l assess your file, identify weaknesses or violations, and advise you on next steps.
With ERISA, you can sue in federal court鈥攂ut no new evidence can be added. With IDI, you may have the option of negotiating, filing a new claim, or litigating under state law. We鈥檒l explain all your options.
No. We work with clients across the country. We鈥檙e admitted in federal and state courts and handle nationwide claims.
Watch for repeated document requests, vague or shifting explanations from the insurer, or being scheduled for an exam with an insurer-hired physician. These can signal an upcoming denial.
We offer flat fee, hourly, and hybrid pricing depending on your situation. We explain all options clearly during your consultation.
Yes. We鈥檙e happy to discuss your situation and help you decide whether legal representation is the right next step.
Choosing a disability law firm isn鈥檛 just about finding credentials on a website. It鈥檚 about finding a team that understands what you're going through鈥攍egally, professionally, and personally.
You deserve a law firm that knows:
How ERISA and private (IDI) disability policies really work
How high-level professional roles are affected by even subtle impairments
How to build a claim or appeal file that鈥檚 thorough, credible, and ready for review
How to protect your benefits through negotiation鈥攐r litigation, if needed
How to communicate clearly, reduce stress, and guide you at every step
At Riemer Hess, we know that a disability claim isn鈥檛 just about insurance. It鈥檚 about protecting your income, your career, and your peace of mind. We鈥檙e here to help you move forward with clarity, strength, and support.
If you鈥檙e looking to file a long term disability insurance claim, appeal a wrongful claim denial, or litigate your insurer, Riemer Hess can help. Contact us today at (212) 297-0700 or click the button below for a consultation on your disability case.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For help addressing a specific disability claim, consult a qualified attorney.