Denied Claims: The Standard Long-Term Disability Appeals
Last updated on June 24, 2026
If The Standard denied your long-term disability benefits, the appeal stage may be your last meaningful chance to build the medical, vocational and factual record that a federal court will later review. Working with a lawyer early can help you respond with evidence that addresses the reason for the denial.
Toledano Disability Law helps people challenge wrongful disability denials under ERISA. Since 2005, attorney Reagan Toledano has represented claimants facing powerful insurance companies and complex benefit rules in New Orleans, Louisiana, and statewide.
What Should You Know About The Standard’s ERISA Appeal Process?
A person pursuing the standard ERISA appeal usually has only 180 days from the date of the denial letter to submit an administrative appeal. This deadline matters because ERISA cases are different from many other disputes. In most cases, you do not get to add new evidence later if the case goes to court.
That means your appeal should do more than say you disagree. It should include:
- Updated medical records
- Treating provider opinions
- Functional evidence
- Job-duty analysis
- A direct response to the insurer’s stated reasons for denial
If you received the standard long-term disability denial, the clock may already be running.
The Standard may also reduce benefits through offsets. These reductions can involve income benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance and workers’ compensation. The problem is that offset calculations can be confusing, especially when overpayment demands appear after SSDI is approved.
How Can Toledano Disability Law Help After A Denial From The Standard?
A denied The Standard disability claim may rely on paper-only reviews from doctors who never examined you. These reviewers may challenge your treating doctor’s opinion or focus on selective parts of the record.
We know how to push back with stronger medical documentation and evidence that connects your condition to your inability to perform your occupation.
Our ERISA litigation experience helps us prepare every appeal as though it may later be reviewed in federal court. We do not treat the standard insurance company appeal process as a formality, but to protect the record and position your claim for the strongest possible outcome.
Call For A Free Case Evaluation
The Standard’s 180-day deadline can pass quickly. Contact our ERISA disability attorneys at Toledano Disability Law for a free case evaluation before your administrative record closes forever. Dial 877-281-4789 or send us an email to get started.