Disability Law

When a Disability Keeps You From Working, Your Benefits Matter

A serious illness, injury, or medical condition can affect far more than your health. When your ability to work is limited or lost, Social Security disability benefits or long-term disability insurance may provide critical financial support. Eric Frankie helps individuals understand their rights, navigate disability claims, and challenge benefit denials.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Help Navigating Disability Benefits and Claims

When a physical or mental health condition makes it difficult or impossible to continue working, obtaining disability benefits can become an important part of protecting your financial stability. Unfortunately, the claims process is not always simple. Applications may be denied, medical evidence may be questioned, and insurance companies or government agencies may disagree about whether a person meets the applicable definition of disability.

Eric Frankie represents individuals in two primary areas of disability law:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide benefits to individuals who meet Social Security’s requirements for disability and other eligibility criteria. Claims often depend heavily on medical evidence, work history, functional limitations, and the effect a medical condition has on a person’s ability to work.

Eric can assist with disability claims and appeals when Social Security benefits have been denied or when additional legal representation is needed during the claims process.

Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims

Long-term disability insurance may provide income replacement when an illness or injury prevents someone from performing the work required by their occupation or, depending on the policy, other types of employment.

These claims are governed by the language of the insurance policy or benefit plan. Many employer-sponsored disability plans are also subject to federal law under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which can significantly affect how claims and appeals are handled.

Eric helps clients evaluate long-term disability claims, understand their coverage, respond to benefit denials or terminations, and pursue available appeals.

Disability Claims Can Become Complicated Quickly

Every disability case is different, but many disputes involve questions about medical evidence, eligibility, the ability to work, or whether the insurer or government agency properly evaluated the claim.

An initial denial does not necessarily mean that you are not entitled to benefits. Eric can review the reasons for a denial and help determine the appropriate next steps in the Social Security appeals process.

Medical Evidence and Documentation

Medical records are often central to a disability claim. Treatment history, physician opinions, diagnostic testing, symptoms, limitations, and other medical evidence may all affect how a claim is evaluated.

Disability Hearings and Appeals

A Social Security disability claim may proceed through several stages of review. Eric can help prepare the case, develop supporting evidence, and represent clients during appropriate stages of the appeal process.

Long-Term Disability Claim Denials

Insurance companies may deny LTD claims because they believe the medical evidence does not establish disability, the policy requirements have not been met, or the claimant is capable of returning to work.

Termination of Existing LTD Benefits

Long-term disability benefits can sometimes be terminated after they have already been approved and paid. Changes in the policy’s definition of disability, medical reviews, surveillance, or insurer evaluations may become important issues.

ERISA Disability Claims and Appeals

Many employer-sponsored long-term disability plans are governed by ERISA. These cases can involve specific claim procedures, appeal requirements, plan documents, and important limitations on how a benefit dispute is handled.

Guidance Through a Complicated Benefits Process

How Eric Can Help

Disability cases often involve a combination of medical evidence, employment history, insurance documents, administrative procedures, and legal standards. Understanding how those pieces fit together can make a significant difference in presenting a claim effectively.

Eric works with clients to understand the circumstances surrounding their disability and determine what evidence and legal issues are most important to their case.

Review Your Disability Claim

Eric can review the circumstances of your disability claim, including your medical condition, work history, benefit application, insurance policy, or plan documents. This review can help identify the issues affecting your claim and determine what steps may be available.

Build Supporting Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is often central to a disability claim. Eric can help identify the records, physician opinions, treatment history, testing, and other documentation needed to explain how your condition affects your ability to work and perform daily activities.

Handle Denials and Appeals

If your Social Security or long-term disability claim has been denied, Eric can review the reasons for the decision and help develop an appropriate response. This may include preparing an appeal, addressing missing or disputed evidence, and presenting the legal and medical support for your claim.

Represent You in Disability Disputes

When a disability claim becomes contested, Eric can represent your interests in the applicable administrative or legal process. Whether the issue involves a Social Security hearing, an ERISA disability appeal, or the termination of existing long-term disability benefits, he can help protect your rights and pursue the benefits you may be entitled to receive.

For Social Security disability matters, Eric can review the claim and denial decision, evaluate medical and vocational evidence, identify issues that may need further development, assist with appeals, and prepare clients for hearings when appropriate.

The goal is to present a clear and well-supported picture of how the client’s medical condition affects the ability to perform sustained work.

Long-Term Disability Representation

For long-term disability claims, Eric can review the insurance policy or benefit plan, examine the insurer’s reasons for denying or terminating benefits, evaluate the supporting medical evidence, and assist with the applicable appeal process.

When an employer-sponsored plan is governed by ERISA, careful attention to the administrative claim and appeal process can be especially important.

Throughout the case, Eric provides straightforward advice so clients understand where their claim stands, what issues need to be addressed, and what options may be available.

Why Choose Eric Franke

Personal Attention

Disability cases can affect a person’s income, medical care, family, and future. Clients deserve an attorney who understands that the case is more than a collection of forms and medical records.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Over 33 Years of Experience

Eric has practiced law in Michigan since 1992, bringing decades of legal experience to the representation of individuals facing difficult disputes and benefit claims.

Extensive Litigation Background

Eric developed his litigation and trial skills throughout a career representing individuals whose rights and financial security were at stake. That experience provides an important foundation when disability claims become contested.

Individualized Representation

Every disability affects a person differently. Eric takes the time to understand the client’s medical condition, work history, circumstances, and concerns rather than treating the case as another file number.

Clear and Direct Communication

Disability benefit systems can be confusing. Eric works to explain the process in understandable terms so clients know what is happening, why it matters, and what comes next.

You Do Not Have to Navigate a Disability Claim Alone

Consider speaking with a disability attorney if:

Your Social Security disability claim has been denied.
You are preparing for a Social Security disability appeal or hearing.
Your medical condition prevents you from working and you are unsure what disability benefits may be available.
Your long-term disability insurance claim has been denied.
An insurance company has notified you that existing long-term disability benefits will be reduced or terminated.
Your insurer says your medical records do not support your inability to work.
You disagree with an insurance company’s interpretation of your disability policy.
You have an employer-sponsored disability plan and have received an adverse benefit decision or appeal notice.
You are overwhelmed by requests for medical records, forms, examinations, or other documentation related to your claim.

Disability claims frequently involve deadlines and procedural requirements. Seeking legal advice early can help you understand your options before important decisions are made.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Disability Law

Do you have other questions? Book a consultation or send us a message and ask directly.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) generally provides disability benefits to individuals who have accumulated sufficient work history and meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources who meet applicable disability requirements.

Although both programs can provide benefits based on disability, their non-medical eligibility requirements are different.

A denial does not necessarily end your claim. Social Security provides an appeals process that can include reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, additional administrative review, and potentially federal court review.

The appropriate next step depends on where your case is in the process and the reasons the claim was denied.

What kind of evidence is important in a disability case?

Medical evidence is often essential, but a disability case may involve much more than a diagnosis. Treatment records, medical testing, physician opinions, medications, symptoms, physical or mental limitations, work history, and the demands of previous employment can all become important.

The central issue is often not simply whether a medical condition exists, but how that condition affects the person’s ability to function and work.

What is long-term disability insurance?

Long-term disability insurance is designed to replace a portion of a person’s income when a qualifying medical condition prevents that person from working under the terms of the applicable policy or benefit plan.

The exact definition of disability, benefit amount, waiting period, exclusions, and duration of coverage can vary substantially from one policy to another.

Can an insurance company stop my long-term disability benefits after approving my claim?

Yes. An insurer may periodically review a claim and determine that it believes the claimant no longer satisfies the policy’s definition of disability. Some policies also change the definition of disability after benefits have been paid for a specified period.

A termination does not necessarily mean the insurer’s decision is correct. The policy, medical evidence, claim history, and stated reasons for termination should be carefully reviewed.

What is ERISA, and why does it matter in a disability claim?

ERISA is a federal law that governs many employee benefit plans offered by private-sector employers, including many employer-sponsored long-term disability plans.

When ERISA applies, specific rules may govern how a disability claim is reviewed and appealed. The administrative appeal process can be particularly important because the documents and evidence developed during that process may affect later legal proceedings.

Not every disability insurance policy is governed by ERISA, so determining what law applies is an important early step.

Questions About Disability Benefits?

Start With a Conversation.

A disability can create uncertainty about your health, your ability to work, and your financial future. You should not have to sort through a complicated benefits system without knowing where you stand.

Whether you are dealing with a Social Security disability claim, an SSDI or SSI denial, a long-term disability insurance dispute, or the termination of existing benefits, Eric Frankie can help you understand your rights and determine your next steps.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your disability claim.