A: In most situations where a disability insurance company denies or terminates benefits, the insured person has the right to appeal. However, most disability insurance contracts detail the appeal procedures and timeline. Pennsylvania courts view disability insurance policies as contracts, and so, it’s important that the insured follow any appeal procedures laid out in the contract.
If the insurance company continues to deny benefits, a breach of contract action and bad faith claim may be necessary. A breach of contract action would charge the insurance company with failure to abide by the terms of the contract-providing disability benefits. A bad faith claim is a claim for punitive damages, which asks the court to punish the insurance company for wrongful and/or fraudulent conduct.
For more information, access a free legal article about disability insurance benefits appeals and disputes in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Long-Term Disability Insurance Benefits Lawyer
At Schwartz and Blackman, our lawyers have been helping Pennsylvania workers for nearly 30 years. Speak to one of our Pennsylvania disability insurance benefits lawyers to discuss your rights. 215.925.4451
The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle disability insurance disputes in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
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Published: September 22 2012