Marc Whitehead - October/November 2021

Marc Whitehead - October/November 2021

October/November 2021

DISABILITY DIGEST

888-497-9061 DisabilityDenials.com Marc Whitehead & Associates Attorneys at Law, LLP

Why We Don’t Quit After Long-Term Disability Cases Are Won The Continual Fight

W e form close, tight bonds with many of our clients. I often hear my employees discuss how much they feel for the people we work with every day. And it’s not pity. No, it’s far from that. It’s anger and frustration toward insurance companies and government agencies that fail to uphold their promises, and it’s compassion for and commitment to our clients’ needs as they begin a new life. That dedication doesn’t stop after we win compensation for a client, and that is never more clear than with our long-term disability work. Every month, employees have money deducted from their paychecks for long-term disability benefits. This is an insurance plan that everyone hopes they will never use, but many want to protect themselves and their families should a workplace injury hinder their ability to work and make an income. It’s a powerful safety net — one that people pay thousands of dollars toward each year. And it’s a commitment many insurance companies fail to keep. That’s why we do the work we do at Marc Whitehead & Associates. We fight for injured employees who are owed proper compensation and livable payments because they not only rely on those payments to

A NATIONAL DISABILITY LAW FIRM • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS

• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMS

• VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFITS

• ERISA & EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CLAIMS

• PHARMACEUTICAL & MEDICAL DEVICE LITIGATION

support their families, but they are also owed those payments after years of deducting money from their paycheck toward this insurance plan. In the process of fighting for our clients, we know our work is far from over once the approval comes in. (This is usually after an appeal due to an initial denial for long- term benefits by the insurance company.) We have a continual follow-up process designed to ensure our clients are receiving the compensation they deserve while also supporting them should their benefits be denied again for any reason.

WHY PARTNER WITH US • NO OFFICE VISITS NECESSARY • WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS YOU DO • WE BUILD THE STRONGEST CASE POSSIBLE FOR A FAVORABLE OUTCOME

• WE’LL GATHER ALL EVIDENCE NEEDED

• WE SOLICIT THE OPINIONS OF MEDICAL & VOCATIONAL EXPERTS • WE’LL GIVE YOU A DEDICATED CASE MANAGER TO COORDINATE ALL THE ASPECTS OF YOUR CASE

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Continuing a Family Trad Our Frances & Earl Perry Memorial Veterans Scholarship Winner Eva Palmer spent her childhood traveling across the country as a military brat; now, she wants to dedicate her career to traveling to those who need help most — just as her father did. Eva is the oldest sibling with three younger brothers and the daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran and Air Force military member, and she is the recipient of the Marc Whitehead & Associates 2021 Frances & Earl Perry Memorial Veterans Scholarship. Eva is currently earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and upon graduation, she will enter an accelerated nursing program. She hopes to someday serve with Doctors Without Borders. “I don’t think I ever would have traveled this much without my dad being in the military,” Eva says. “It might have been difficult at times … [but] it made me grow out of my comfort zone and introduced me to new places and people.”

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This all starts with the

initial check. About two weeks to one month

after the approval, our team receives a check for our

client’s long-term disability benefits. Before we approve the check for their use, we want to guarantee every penny they are owed

is in that check. So, this deposit goes through a calculation process before it’s dispersed to verify it’s accurate. This can also come with a lot of paperwork and follow- up tasks, and with a little guidance from our clients, we do our part to take on all of this burden. Our clients need to focus their energy on their healing, maintenance for their injury, and their family. Throughout this process, it’s not uncommon for a client’s long-term disability benefits to once again be denied. In fact, this is common after 24 months, when these payment stipulations change from “an inability to do their occupation” to “an inability to do any occupation.” Many insurance companies will argue that claimants can work, regardless of the kind of work it is — no matter how true or false this statement is. We don’t give up. We file an appeal once again, and we fight hard to ensure our clients don’t lose this compensation they are entitled to and rely on. We will do this for as long as it takes to provide our clients with the monetary support they are owed and need. We don’t give up after a case has been “won.” Instead, we prepare for your next battle.

PUZZLE TIME

- Marc Whitehead

Solution on Page 4

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LovingWhat You Do Meet Monique, a Compassionate Intake Specialist

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This scholarship means Eva can continue her family’s history of servitude, even if she doesn’t actively serve in the military. “It’s a rigorous and pricey education, so earning this scholarship means I can focus on the education aspect and not the financial one while earning my degree,” Eva says. “It allows me to work toward my career, which will allow me to pay it forward.” Today, Eva serves with Gonzaga’s service-focused sorority and often spends time at home with her family.

Our intake team is the first group our clients interact with at Marc Whitehead & Associates. We know these callers are experiencing frustration, and it’s our goal to help them feel welcomed and supported.

Intake specialist Monique Muras does just that. Monique has been part of our Marc Whitehead & Associates family for more than two years. She first joined the firm as a receptionist, but we quickly saw her warm personality and calm demeanor as a perfect fit for our intake team. Monique utilizes both her knowledge of this field and her compassion to guide our potential clients through the intake and onboarding process. “I enjoy that we’re able to help people who are struggling,” Monique says. “It makes us happy to make them happy. We are taking a burden off them and holding their hand through the process. It makes you feel good to come to work and help people on a daily basis.” Monique enjoys coming to work every day. “I love it here. People here are so nice,” she says. “It’s not a negative environment. We do lunches, we do happy hours, we do a lot of team building … I’m happy to come to work on a daily basis.” When she isn’t at work, Monique is likely spending time with her family and extended family in her hometown of Waelder. She, her husband, and their daughters enjoy fishing together, too. Thank you for your continued commitment, Monique.

She’s also an avid reader — particularly of “Harry Potter” — and enjoys hiking and deep sea fishing, which is a callback to her family’s time in Alaska. We’re proud to support Eva, and we know she will do great things with her education! You can learn more about our scholarships and other resources online at DisabilityDenials.com.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole • 1 small onion, sliced • 7 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 cup and 3 tbsp flour, divided • 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs • 2 shallots, chopped Ingredients

Inspired by Delish.com

• 8 oz can mushrooms, sliced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 lb green beans, cooked • 3 cups almond milk

Directions

1. Set the oven to broil. 2. In a shallow baking pan, combine onion, 1 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp flour, and panko breadcrumbs. 3. Broil for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Afterward, preheat the oven to 375 F. 4. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add shallots, mushrooms, and garlic, stirring until tender. 5. In a large bowl, mix mushroom mixture with the cooked green beans. 6. In the same skillet, add 4 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 cup of flour, whisking until golden. Gradually add the almond milk until it thickens, then toss with the green beans. 7. Transfer mixture into a baking dish and cook for 20 minutes. 8. Add onion and breadcrumb mixture on top, then bake for another 5 minutes.

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

403 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007 888-497-9061 | DisabilityDenials.com A National Disability Law Firm

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We Don’t Quit Meet Our Dedicated and Passionate Veterans Scholarship Winner! Puzzle Time Vegan Green Bean Casserole Monique Muras Is Proud to Work Here! Our Clients Say It Best

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ANATIONAL DISABILITY LAWFIRM

Social Security Disability Claims | Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims | Veterans Disability Benefits ERISA & Employee Benefit Claims |Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation

First impression is everything. I had the pleasure to work with Monique during the intake process. She was very professional, thorough, timely, and responsive. It was a very seamless process, and I left feeling great about my decision on working with Marc Whitehead & Associates. Monique was great. – Nakita Miles via Google

WHY PARTNERWITHUS?

Office visits are not necessary.

We gather all evidence needed.

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We don’t get paid unless you do.

• We solicit the opinions of medical and vocational experts. • We give you a dedicated case manager to coordinate all the aspects of your case.

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We build the strongest case possible for a favorable outcome.

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