Filing An Auto Damage Claim With Another Insurance Company
Filing an insurance claim for damages is one of the first things you must do after an accident. You can submit a claim to your insurance company if you have coverage or what is commonly called first-party claims.
However, you may file with the driver’s insurance company, known as a third-party claim. First-party and third-party claims vary in requirements and processes. So, make sure to do thorough research and contact legal experts before you start the claims process.
You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Applying for California disability benefits is often confusing, since you have three different programs to choose from. If you need help, talk to an experienced Social Security attorney for free over the phone. Having a California disability lawyer file your paperwork makes you almost 3x more likely to secure benefits. All California disability lawyers work on contingency, so youll pay nothing for claim help now.
Already denied benefits? A California disability lawyer can review your claim and fix any mistakes. Just remember: You wont pay anything unless a California disability lawyer helps you win benefits. And if you do win, youll only pay a small, one-time fee.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!
Working With Your Legal Team To Win Your Ssd Case
Finally, our legal team cannot file an application for benefits in California without your help. That is why we say we are your legal team. Because, a team requires the best from all of the players. We may be experts at the law, but you are the expert about your life. Our team needs to know why you cannot work. We need to know when you stopped working. Likewise, you need to explain the symptoms of your illness to us.
First, you need to become our client. You can review the forms we need to you to sign here. Once we receive these forms, we can represent you. We will help you file your application for benefits.
After we file your application, we will also collect your medical records. We will also need your help to do collect your records from your doctors. Likewise, we need records from your counselors or any mental health clinics. If you dont give us the information about your doctors, then we cant contact them for you.
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Tips For Taking A Long Cruise
Sailing for longer periods of time does require extra planning, though. Halee said she typically has a house sitter check on her condo once a week or stay there while she’s cruising. She noted that the post office will hold mail for up to 30 days, which travelers may want to keep in mind .
She also makes sure to have enough medication on hand for the duration of the journey and to pack clothes for the temperatures at various destinations, as long cruises can sail through a range of climates. Halee typically ships most of her baggage to the cruise line ahead of time via Luggage Forward, so she doesn’t have to lug it around on her own.
Halee chooses her cruises based on the destination and how she’s feeling. She’s going back to the South Pacific later this year. “I’ve been there several times before, but I feel that’s what I want to do right now,” she said. “I’m sick of cities. I just want to swim in the South Pacific water.”
For some, even one long cruise is enough to get hooked, and Botino already has other long itineraries in mind.
“I haven’t talked to my wife yet, but … I actually found a 21-day and an 18-day that I want to run by her,” he said.
Other California Disability Benefits
California also has a shortterm disability insurance program through the state. The California State Disability Insurance program provides short-term Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off work.
You may be eligible for the California SDI program if you are unable to work due to non-work-related illness or injury, pregnancy, or childbirth.
You may also be able to get PFL in order to:
- Care for a seriously ill family member.
- Bond with a new child.
- Participate in a qualifying event because of a family members military deployment to a foreign country.
To file for benefits, submit online forms, or manage your profile, access your SDI Online account at the California State Disability Insurance program website.
Additionally, your employer may offer private short-term disability insurance. Your employer may also offer maternity or paternity leave benefits and long-term disability benefits.
Long-term disability benefits pay a portion of your salary if you can no longer work. Additionally, there are federal benefits, like FMLA, available through your employer. FMLA allows you to take time off from work if you are ill. It then allows you to return your job once you are better.
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How Disability Policies Work
There are two main types of policies: Short term disability insurance is for temporary disabilities and is designed to provide benefits 3-6 months , or until you can get back to work. Long-term disability insurance is for more severe and even permanent disabilities.
Long term disability insurance is sometimes offered as a workplace benefit, but it can also be purchased as an individual policy. The benefit is designed to last for many years through retirement if needed replacing up to 60%-80% of your income if something happens and you can no longer work. Every policy whether long term or short term, should clearly define these three items:
- The benefit period: The total length of time you can receive benefits. For STD this will typically not be more than a year for LTD it could range from two years to retirement, or until you recover and are no longer disabled.
- The waiting period: Also called an elimination period, its the amount of time after you are disabled until you can start receiving benefits. It will generally be shorter for STD and longer for LTD.
- The definition of disability: Every policy has a specific definition of disability insurance stating what is needed to qualify for benefits. A long term disability policy further distinguishes between own-occupation disability and any-occupation disability which can qualify you for various percentages of your total benefit amount.
Why Won’t A Lawyer Take A Personal Injury Case
Unfortunately, not all lawyers are willing to take on personal injury cases. This can be frustrating for many people who have suffered an injury, but understanding why a lawyer may not take on a personal injury case can help make the process smoother.
A lawyer may only take a personal injury case if the case is simple for them. When a lawyer is not familiar with the legal intricacies of a particular case, they may be unwilling to take it on.
Also, they may only take a personal injury case if they believe the chances of winning are high. Lawyers are in the business of winning cases and want to maximize their chances of success. If they believe the chances of winning the case are slim, they may choose not to take it.
In addition, some lawyers may choose not to take a personal injury case if they believe that the costs of pursuing the case are too high. If a lawyer believes that the costs of pursuing the case are too high relative to the likely outcome, they may choose not to take it.
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When Should I Get Long
If you donât have long-term disability insurance to protect yourself and your family from losing your income, the time to get LTD is now. You have to qualify medically to be issued a policy, so you want to apply while youâre healthy. Also, the cost of LTD increases every year you get older, so buying it now will lock in your price at a lower rate than if you wait.
Talk with an insurance agent that specializes in disability insurance to learn more about LTD, or find the information you need online and complete an application without meeting with an insurance agent. It will cost a very small percentage of your income for protection that is a âmust-haveâ for anyone concerned about their financial future.
The information and content provided herein is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, or financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement. Breeze does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of any testimonials, opinions, advice, product or service offers, or other information provided here by third parties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel.
Cruise Lines Are Offering More Long Sailings
Holland America is among the cruise lines that have invested in lengthier sailings recently. The line made the shift both in response to guest feedback and as a means of differentiating itself from other lines, according to Beth Bodensteiner, the line’s chief commercial officer.
“We’ve often been known for our unique and long itineraries,” she said in an interview.
This year, the line is offering 25% more sailings of 25 days or longer compared with 2019, and 117% more sailings of 50 or more days. While the line saw passengers prioritize features like cleanliness earlier in the pandemic, Bodensteiner said guests are now placing the most emphasis on destinations when booking.
She added that the line will offer some unique programming like “destination-rich lectures,” allowing guests to get to know those places better than they would on a shorter cruise, and will stay overnight in some ports.
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The line has launched new itineraries as part of the shift in focus, such as a 22-day sailing on its Koningsdam ship from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in April 2024, with stops in Mexico and Hawaii, and a sea day timed for prime viewing of a solar eclipse.
Planning a family reunion?:Cruises offer something for every relative
Other lines have made similar moves.
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How Long Will I Receive Sdi
You will receive SDI benefits for as long as you remain disabled, as defined, up to a maximum of 52 weeks. However, in some cases a person who is otherwise qualified might not receive a full year of SDI because they do not have enough money in their account for a full year of benefits. You will receive a statement from the EDD when you apply telling you how much money is in your reserve account.
You Must Have Very Low Income And Almost No Assets To Qualify For Ssi
As an individual SSI applicant, your total household income cannot be more than $1,350 each month. This includes both work earnings and passive income. SSA defines passive income as any money you receive regularly, like earned interest, alimony or child support payments. In addition, you must own less than $2,000 in financial assets to qualify for SSI payments. This includes things jewelry, stocks, bonds and your bank account, 401 or IRA balances. However, the SSA wont count certain items towards that asset limit, including:
- Your house and the land it sits on, if you own it
- One primary vehicle your household uses for daily transportation
- Your wedding ring, furniture, clothing, some durable goods
Pretty much anything else you can sell for cash is considered an asset that counts toward your SSI max amount. For eligible couples, the max asset limit is $3,000 and your active or passive income must fall below $1,350/month.
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Services Equipment & Access
People younger than age 65 who have Medicare due to a disability occasionally have difficulty obtaining specialized Medicare-covered services, equipment and supplies. While some younger people are relatively healthy despite their disabilities, others have serious physical and mental conditions that require coordinated care from highly trained specialists. Some people also need unusual or customized equipment. In addition, certain specialized equipment and supplies may not be covered by Medicare. Getting the necessary services, equipment and supplies you need may depend on your ability to advocate for it. This may involve a great deal of persistence.
You have the right to assistance or equipment that provides you with the same access as others to services and facilities. For example, if you have a hearing, speech or language disability, you have the right to an interpreter or some other method or equipment for communicating with medical providers. You have the right to accessible equipment, such as examination tables and mammography equipment that can accommodate wheelchair users. However, it must be reasonable for a medical provider to supply these accommodations, and doing so cannot create an undue burden on the financial resources of the provider. The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division oversees these issues.
Does Sdi Cover Pregnancy
Yes. For a pregnancy without complications, the benefit period is generally from four weeks before your due date to six weeks after your delivery. If your pregnancy prevents you from working before or after that period, your doctor has to explain why on the claim form.
Note: This article focuses on SDI for people with disabilities and Paid Family Leave for people taking care of a person with a disability. If you have questions about Pregnancy Disability Leave, contact the EDD.
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How The States California Disability Benefits Program Works
If health problems force you to stop working for at least one week, you likely qualify for California disability benefits. The state manages these payments, and most employees in this state pay into the program through their payroll taxes. Some disabled workers that cannot claim SDI benefits include:
- Interstate Railroad employees
- Anyone claiming a religious exemption
How To Get Workers Comp
The first step to getting workers comp is notifying your employer of your injury. Do this as soon as possible. Until you tell your boss, manager, or supervisor, you cant receive workers comp.
Next, your employer has one work day to give or mail you a copy of a Workers Compensation Claim Form . Complete the employee section of the form and return it to your employer. Theyll complete their part of the form, sign it, and then give you a copy of it within one day.
Once this form has been filled out by you and your employer, youve successfully filed a workers compensation claim. But filing a claim doesnt guarantee you benefits. Your employers claims administrator, who usually works for an insurance company, will decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
For more help navigating the workers comp process, read our full guide to workers comp in California.
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Workers Compensation Claims In Los Angeles
One of the most stressful aspects of being injured in a work-related accident is discovering that you wont be able to completely recover from your injuries. It can be overwhelming and frightening to think about losing your job and not having a stable income.
Fortunately, Californiasworkers compensation system offers benefits for workers who have long-lasting or permanent injuries or disabilities. TheLaw Office of Ronald Ehrman has a comprehensive knowledge of our statesworkers comp requirements and is available to personally evaluate your case when you take advantage of your free consultation.
Our Los Angeles-based lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify for permanent disability in California and guide you through the claims process with ease. Attorney Ron Ehrman has been fighting for injured workers and recovering millions in damages since 1991.
Contact usonline or by phone today at to reach ourworkers’ comp attorney and learn more about whether you qualify for permanent disability in California.
What Is The State Disability Insurance Program
SDI is an insurance program run by the California Employment Development Department that pays weekly benefits of 55% of your average wages for up to a year if you are unable to work because you:
- Have a non-work-related illness or injury
- Are pregnant, or
- Need to take Paid Family Leave to care for a sick relative or to bond with a new child.
- Note: PFL only provides benefits for up to eight weeks.
The program is paid for by SDI taxes that are taken out of most employees’ paychecks. If you are self-employed or a business owner, you can pay to get Elective Coverage, which only provides benefits for 39 weeks instead of a year.
If you are sick due to COVID-19, you may qualify for SDI benefits. If you are caring for somebody who is sick due to COVID-19, you may qualify for PFL. See EDD’s questions and answers about COVID-19 and the state of California’s chart of all the different benefits that may help families impacted by COVID-19.
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How Long After A Car Accident Can Injuries Appear
In most cases, injuries after car accidents manifest immediately. However, there is undetectable damage that appears weeks or months after a car crash, like cognitive issues, abdominal pain, or organ damage.
Depending on the type of accident and the severity of the injuries sustained, the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim can vary from state to state. It is important to understand the statute of limitations in your state to ensure that you take advantage of the time frame for filing a claim.
A personal injury lawyer can help you understand the relevant laws and make sure your claim is filed promptly. Check out the Disability Help guide to finding a good personal injury lawyer.
Coverage A Or Coverage B
In general, the basic disability benefit available under both types of coverage is 50% of your final compensation. The maximum benefit you can receive, including benefits for eligible dependent children, is 90% of your final compensation.
The Coverage A disability benefit is generally 50 percent of final compensation. The Coverage A disability benefit will be paid as long as you remain disabled or until you reach age 60. At age 60, your disability benefit will end and you must apply for service retirement to receive a monthly benefit. Your disability benefit may continue beyond age 60 only if you have eligible children and remain disabled.
To qualify for a disability benefit under Coverage A you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be less than age 60.
- You must have five or more years of credited service.
- Your last five years of credited service must have been performed in California. Four of the five years of credit must be for actual performance of creditable service. You must have earned at least one year of service credit following a service retirement termination, or following the most recent refund of your accumulated contributions.
If you plan to reinstate to active member status, first make an appointment with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to discuss important considerations, including how your future benefits may be affected.
To apply for a disability retirement benefit, you must either:
There are no age restrictions.
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