Long-term disabilities can derail your career and leave you struggling to cover basic expenses while your condition worsens. With more than 150 years of combined trial experience and over $1 billion recovered in compensation and benefits, we know how to advocate for clients when insurance companies say no.Â
Connect with your Summerlin long-term disability lawyer from Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers to get guidance from your Summerlin Social Security disability lawyer who puts your needs first.
What Qualifies as a Long-Term Disability Under Nevada Law
A long-term disability is generally defined as a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least twelve months or result in death. These conditions may prevent you from working or performing essential daily activities.Â
Meeting the medical definition is only one part of the process, and legal or policy-specific rules can make qualifying more difficult than expected.
Long-Term Disability for Insurance and Federal Claims
Long-term disability claims may fall under two systems: private insurance policies and the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
Insurance carriers define disability based on how your condition affects your ability to perform work duties. The Federal SSDI uses a stricter standard, focusing on whether your condition prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity.
Insurance policies may define disability using “own occupation” or “any occupation” language. Under “own occupation”, you may qualify if your condition prevents you from doing the job you were trained for.Â
Under “any occupation”, you must show that your impairment prevents you from performing any job for which you are reasonably qualified. Under NRS § 689B.030, disability coverage must be addressed in certain health and accident insurance policies in Nevada.
Medical Evidence That Supports a Long-Term Disability Claim
A strong disability claim relies on objective and consistent medical documentation. This includes physician notes, imaging studies, treatment history, and follow-up records that show how your condition limits your ability to work.
You may also need specialist evaluations, lab results, hospital discharge summaries, and detailed treatment plans that demonstrate your symptoms have not improved.
Social Security and private insurers both expect your records to clearly explain how your condition interferes with daily tasks, physical movement, concentration, or communication. Vague or inconsistent reports are a common reason for denial, even when the diagnosis is severe.Â
Your healthcare providers must describe not only the diagnosis but also the expected duration, severity, and how it affects your ability to maintain a normal work schedule.
A Summerlin SSDI eligibility lawyer from our team will help you gather and organize this information to make sure your claim reflects the full impact of your condition. We coordinate with your doctors to fill in the gaps and prepare statements that address the questions disability reviewers are trained to ask.Â
Applying for Social Security Disability in Summerlin
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a critical resource for individuals whose medical conditions prevent them from working. Unfortunately, the process of securing these benefits is complex, time-consuming, and prone to delays. Most applications are initially denied and must undergo a formal appeal before approval is possible.
Common Reasons SSDI Claims Are Denied
Many people are denied benefits when applying for Social Security disability in Summerlin due to paperwork errors, insufficient medical records, or a work history that does not meet Social Security Administration requirements. Others are denied because the SSA claims they are still capable of performing light or sedentary work.
In some cases, administrative mistakes or overlooked documents are the only reason a valid claim is denied. By submitting clear, specific evidence early in the process, we could improve your chances of receiving benefits without delay or appeal.
The Appeals Process and Why It Often Succeeds
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal through a multi-step process. The first level is a reconsideration, followed by a hearing before an administrative law judge.
If needed, you can request a review by the Appeals Council or file a lawsuit in federal court. Each step allows you to correct mistakes, provide new evidence, and build a stronger case.
Appeals are often more successful than initial applications because they are supported by updated medical documentation and legal representation. When you are represented by a dedicated Summerlin SSDI appeals lawyer, your chances of approval increase significantly.Â
According to 42 U.S. Code § 423(d), you are considered disabled if your condition prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity for at least twelve continuous months. Our team works to prove your eligibility with evidence that is timely, complete, and difficult to dispute.
Medical Conditions That Often Lead to Long-Term Disability Claims
A diagnosis alone does not qualify you for long-term disability benefits. What matters is how that condition affects your ability to perform work tasks on a regular and sustained basis.
If your symptoms prevent you from working full-time, you may be eligible for benefits even if you are not hospitalized or bedridden. Common conditions involved in successful long-term disability claims include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Long COVID
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic migraines
- Bipolar disorder
- Congestive heart failure
- Severe respiratory conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Clinical depression or anxiety disorders
We work directly with your treating physicians to make sure specific work-related limitations support your diagnosis. These medical opinions are often the most important part of a claim.
A Summerlin long–term disability attorney with Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers will help translate medical records into clear, credible documentation that explains why you cannot return to work.
Consult a Long-Term Disability Lawyer in Summerlin Today
Delays and denials are common in long-term disability claims, but you do not have to accept the insurer’s decision as final.Â
Your long-term disability attorney in Summerlin with Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers will work to overturn wrongful denials and help you pursue the full benefits you are entitled to.
Fill out our contact form now to schedule a free consultation and let us begin advocating on your behalf.
