Were you denied short-term or long-term disability (STD/LTD) benefits in Chicago, Illinois? You may still have options to secure the financial support you need with help from the legal team at Meyers & Flowers. Call our Chicago short-term and long-term disability attorneys at (630) 232-6333 for a free consultation.
Our award-winning law firm is one of the most well-regarded in the industry. We have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $6 billion for our clients to date across a wide range of complex legal claims.
We also partner with David A. Bryant, our esteemed Of Counsel attorney and founder of Bryant Legal Group, who focuses exclusively on disability and insurance law. Together, we have successfully handled countless short-term and long-term disability cases, helping clients recover the full amount of benefits they deserve after unfair denials.
Get in touch with us today for more information about your best course of action. We can provide you with some initial legal advice during your free case evaluation.
How Meyers & Flowers Can Help You Win Your Disability Insurance Claim in Chicago, Illinois
Receiving the disability benefits you’re entitled to requires more than just filling out forms. Insurance companies use detailed policies and extremely strict procedural hurdles to try and limit payouts and protect their profits. Our Chicago disability insurance lawyers know how to build your claim appropriately and present it in a way that your insurer won’t be able to ignore.
When you work with Meyers & Flowers and David A. Bryant, we will:
- Review your policy, employment records, medical evidence, and other documentation
- Identify what proof is needed to support your disability claim
- Handle all of the communications and negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf
- Challenge any denials and improper claim terminations
- Enforce your contractual rights to the best of our ability throughout
- Represent you in the appeals and litigation processes, including filing a federal ERISA lawsuit if necessary
Our goal is to take the pressure off you so that you can focus on your health and well-being. Contact our law offices in Chicago, IL, today to get started with a free consultation.
Recent Disability Victories We’ve Secured for Our Clients
Our firm has achieved landmark victories against some of the nation’s largest disability insurance companies, ensuring that professionals receive the benefits they’ve rightfully earned.
UNUM Reverses Denial for Disabled Orthopedic Surgeon
On August 19, 2025, UNUM, the largest disability insurer in the country, reversed its prior denial and reinstated long-term disability benefits for a North Carolina orthopedic sports medicine surgeon battling a serious medical condition.
UNUM had used misleading treatment notes from the surgeon’s oncologist to justify cutting off benefits. In reality, the surgeon’s condition and suspended hospital privileges made it impossible for him to safely perform surgeries or hospital duties.
After an aggressive appeal led by David A. Bryant and Jennifer Danish of Bryant Legal Group, with support from Peter J. Flowers and the Meyers & Flowers team, UNUM conceded and restored benefits retroactive to February 4, 2025. This outcome helped the surgeon regain financial security and access to the care he needs.
Court Orders Lifetime Disability Benefits for Illinois Orthodontist
In another major success, the Hennepin County District Court ruled on July 15, 2025, that The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company must pay lifetime, unreduced disability benefits to Dr. Paul Ziman, a retired orthodontist suffering from degenerative thumb joint disease.
Judge Rachna Sullivan ordered the insurer to pay $7,500 per month for life under Dr. Ziman’s 1990 policy. The company had tried to limit or end his payments, but the court sided with the plaintiff and upheld his right to full lifetime benefits.
This ruling, achieved by Meyers & Flowers and Bryant Legal Group, reinforces the importance of skilled legal advocacy when powerful insurance companies try to deny legitimate disability claims.
What Is Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Short-term and long-term disability insurance provides financial protection if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. These benefits can come from either an employer-sponsored group plan (often governed by ERISA) or a private individual policy.
- Short-term disability (STD) typically covers a portion of your income for several weeks or months after you become disabled.
- Long-term disability (LTD) begins once STD coverage ends and may continue for years (or until retirement age), depending on your policy.
Unfortunately, insurance companies frequently delay, underpay, and deny legitimate claims to maintain their bottom lines. That’s where our disability lawyers in Chicago can step in and help you make things right.
Common Reasons Disability Insurance Claims Are Denied
The unfortunate reality in this area of the law is that your insurer may still try and deny your claim even if you’ve always been on time with your premiums. Some of the most common reasons for denial include:
- Lack of sufficient medical documentation supporting your condition
- Disputes about whether your illness or injury qualifies as a “disability”
- Surveillance or biased medical exams suggesting you can still work
- Missed deadlines, incomplete forms, and procedural errors
- Claims of preexisting conditions and other policy exclusions
Our lawyers know how to identify and address these issues appropriately. We’ll work to prove that your condition truly prevents you from performing your occupation and that your insurer has no valid basis for denying your benefits.
Appealing a Denied Disability Claim in Chicago, IL
If your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied, you may still have legal options available to you. The appeals process is especially critical for ERISA-governed policies, where your initial appeal is often your last opportunity to present evidence before litigation.
Our legal team will:
- Review the insurer’s denial letter and identify any procedural violations
- Gather and submit additional medical and vocational evidence
- Prepare a comprehensive appeal package addressing all of the applicable claim issues
- File a lawsuit in federal court if your appeal is denied and your rights have been violated
We have decades of experience standing up to major insurers like UNUM and Provident Life. If you hire us, we’ll do everything in our power to help you secure the most favorable outcome possible per the law and terms of your policy.
Contact Our Chicago Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you can’t work because of an injury or illness in Chicago, IL, you deserve financial protection and peace of mind. Meyers & Flowers, working alongside David A. Bryant, has successfully helped clients throughout Chicago and across the country fight for the disability benefits they’ve earned. Now, we’re here to do the same for you.
Call (630) 232-6333 or message us online today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago short-term and long-term disability lawyer. We’re confident we can help you receive the benefits you need to move forward as best as you can.