Attorney for Northwestern Mutual Disability Claims
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company is one of the larger, and actually one of the better long term disability insurance companies. All insurance companies deny claims, but Northwestern Mutual is a little less aggressive than others.
They prefer to sell policies to professionals such as lawyers, doctors, dentists, etc.
Northwestern attempts to do a good job for their insured, and that’s commendable. But they do make mistakes, and these mistakes can be scary and devastating to a disabled claimant.
Why Does Northwestern Mutual Deny A Disability Claim?
Northwestern Mutual will usually deny a claim because the claims examiner has set unreasonable requirements to prove your disability. Every disability policy is a contract – the disability policy. There is usually a proof of loss provision which places the burden on you to prove you are disabled.
That means you have to submit evidence such as medical records, proving your disability.
Northwestern will have their doctors and consultants review your claim file. They will look for specific information to determine whether your disabled or not.
Unfortunately, most doctors don’t take great notes because they don’t expect their notes to be reviewed by an insurance claims examiner. There are many cases where the claimant is clearly disabled, but the medical records don’t reflect this. To add to that, insurance claims examiners will rarely review anything but your medical evidence.
Once in a while they will pay for a doctor to examine you physically. But it is unlikely the doctor they hire will examine you fairly, since they are being paid by the insurance company. If they continuously deliver exam results that costs the insurance company, the insurance company might not come back.
Doctors, Lawyers, and Dentists Must Prove Their Pre-Disability Duties
If you are a doctor, dentist, lawyer, or other professional seeking Northwestern Mutual disability benefits, you must be aware Northwestern will require detailed information about the work you performed before your disability.
Doctors seeking Long Term Disability Benefits from Northwestern Mutual
For example, doctors will be asked monthly and annual CPT production reports for at least the 12 months prior to the date of disability. Monthly profit and loss statements, tax returns, and maybe even your daily appointment book.
Lawyers and Northwestern LTD Benefits
Attorneys will be asked to produce their appointment book for 2 years or more, their case list with details about each case, including type of case, litigation work if you are a litigator, profit and loss statements, tax returns, and other documents.
Partial disability claimants will be asked to produce even more documentation than full disability claimants, which seems odd (but isn’t). It’s actually harder to evaluate a partial disability than a 100% long term disability.
Call Disability Legal Center to Fight For Your Rights
Most claimants will be asked to be interviewed by a Northwestern Mutual examiner. You should not agree to this interview without legal representation. Give us a call at (866) JOE-DANG or (866) 563-3264 to find out more about obtaining LTD benefits from Northwestern Mutual. We are available 24/7 so give us a call!