The Importance of the Administrative Record

Philadelphia Long-Term Disability Lawyer

The administrative record of your long-term disability claim is the complete file that your insurance carrier maintains concerning your application for benefits. The administrative record contains all of the medical evidence, employment, and occupational information that you have submitted to the insurance carrier to substantiate your claim. Your case, both in the appeals process with the insurance company and in any subsequent court case, rests solely on the information that is contained in this record. If your claim has been denied, or if you are in the initial stage of applying for benefits, it is crucial that the information submitted to the insurance company to prove your disability is thorough, complete, and effective. That is why we recommend that you work with the Philadelphia long-term disability attorney at our firm. We have a thorough understanding of disability law and extensive experience dealing with insurance companies in the pursuit of legitimate claims on behalf of our clients.

How important is the administrative record of your claim?  If your claim is governed by ERISA, and you need to file a lawsuit after exhausting the administrative review process, the court will most likely only be allowed to review the information that exists in this file. Generally, once the appeals process is completed, no additional evidence can be added to your file, regardless of how relevant it is to your claim.   The Courts will not be allowed to review any evidence that was not submitted to the insurance company during the administrative review period.  

When you work with a Philadelphia long-term disability lawyer from our firm, you will benefit from our experience in filing your appeal.   When submitting an appeal there are many important aspects of your condition as a whole that need to be submitted to your insurance carrier.   Depending on the availability, we will attempt to obtain your medical history as it pertains to your disability, statements from family and friends as to your limitations, treating source opinions (if available), and sometimes vocational expert opinions who are able to look at your limitations caused by your illness and render an opinion as to your ability to engage in work.  

Contact the Philadelphia Long-Term Disability Attorney at the firm now for assistance with a claim application or the denial of your claim for benefits.