What a Disability Attorney Does for Reliance Standard Cases
A disability attorney handles claims against Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, which sells group disability insurance through employers and associations. These lawyers review your policy, gather medical evidence, file appeals when claims are denied, and represent you in court or arbitration if the case goes that far. They do not work for Reliance Standard — they work for you against the insurance company.
Reliance Standard cases often involve disputes over whether your condition meets the policy definition of disability, whether you provided enough medical documentation, or whether the company wrongly terminated your benefits. An attorney's job is to prove your claim should have been paid or should not have been stopped.
Most disability attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover instead of charging you upfront. The percentage is usually 25 to 33 percent of the award, though this varies by attorney and by state law. You pay nothing unless you win.
Key Takeaways
- Disability attorneys who handle Reliance Standard cases typically work on contingency, taking a percentage of your recovery rather than an hourly fee.
- Your state bar association's lawyer referral service can connect you with attorneys licensed in your state who handle disability insurance disputes.
- Before hiring an attorney, ask whether they have handled Reliance Standard cases specifically and what percentage they charge on contingency.
- Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation to review your denial letter and policy before you decide to hire them.
How to Find a Disability Attorney in Your State
Start with your state bar association's lawyer referral service. Every state bar maintains a searchable directory of licensed attorneys by practice area. Search for "disability insurance" or "insurance bad faith" in your state, then filter by location if the service allows it. The bar's referral service does not recommend specific attorneys — it straightforward lists those who say they handle that type of case.
You can also search online for "disability insurance attorney" plus your state name, but verify that any attorney you find is actually licensed in your state. Check their license status on your state bar's website by searching their name. An attorney licensed in another state cannot represent you in your state unless they have been admitted pro hac vice (for this case only), which requires local sponsorship and court approval.
Ask friends, family, or your doctor whether they know an attorney who handles disability claims. Personal referrals often lead to attorneys with real experience in your area. If you have already hired a personal injury or employment attorney for another matter, ask them for a referral — they often know disability specialists.
What to Ask an Attorney Before You Hire Them
When you call or meet with an attorney, ask these specific questions:
- Have you handled Reliance Standard cases before? Experience with your specific insurance company matters because attorneys learn how that company typically denies claims and what evidence it requires.
- What is your contingency percentage? Standard rates are 25 to 33 percent, but some attorneys charge less or more depending on the case complexity and how far it goes. Ask whether the percentage changes if the case goes to trial.
- Who pays for medical records, informed reports, and filing fees? On contingency, the attorney usually advances these costs and deducts them from your recovery, but confirm this in writing.
- How long do cases like mine typically take? A straightforward appeal might take 6 to 12 months; a court case can take 2 to 4 years. Ask for a realistic timeline based on your situation.
- Will you handle my case personally, or will another attorney in your firm? Some firms assign cases to junior attorneys. Know who will actually be working on your claim.
Understanding the Contingency Agreement
A contingency agreement is a written contract between you and the attorney that spells out the percentage they take, what costs they advance, and what happens if you lose. Read it carefully before signing. The agreement should state that if you lose, you owe the attorney nothing for their time, but you may still owe them for costs they paid out of pocket — such as medical record fees or court filing fees.
Some attorneys charge a lower contingency percentage (25 percent) if the case settles early, and a higher percentage (33 percent) if it goes to trial. Others charge the same percentage regardless. The agreement must disclose this difference. If the agreement is unclear, ask the attorney to explain it in plain language before you sign.
Keep a copy of the signed agreement. You will need it if a dispute arises later about how much the attorney is owed from your settlement or award.
What Happens After You Hire an Attorney
Your attorney will request your complete file from Reliance Standard, including your original process, medical records they received, the denial letter, and any correspondence about your claim. This process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. The attorney will also ask you for copies of any medical records, test results, or doctor's notes you have.
Next, the attorney will review your policy language to understand exactly what Reliance Standard's definition of disability is and whether your condition meets it. They will likely send you to a doctor of their choosing for an independent medical evaluation, which they will pay for. This evaluation becomes key evidence in your case.
The attorney will then send a demand letter to Reliance Standard explaining why the denial was wrong and what evidence supports your claim. Reliance Standard has a set time to respond — usually 30 to 60 days. If they deny the claim again or do not respond, your attorney will file an appeal or lawsuit depending on your policy's terms.
When to File a Lawsuit vs. When to Appeal Within the Insurance Company
Most Reliance Standard policies require you to exhaust the insurance company's internal appeal process before you can sue. This means you must file a formal appeal with Reliance Standard and wait for their decision before going to court. The appeal process usually takes 60 to 90 days.
If Reliance Standard denies your appeal, your attorney can then file a lawsuit in state or federal court, depending on the policy and your circumstances. Some policies also require arbitration instead of court — your attorney will know which applies to you based on your policy language.
A few policies allow you to skip the internal appeal and go straight to court or arbitration. Your attorney will review your specific policy to determine the correct path forward.
Red Flags: Attorneys to Avoid
Do not hire an attorney who guarantees a specific outcome or promises you will win. No attorney can may provide this — the outcome depends on your medical evidence, your policy language, and what Reliance Standard can prove.
Avoid attorneys who pressure you to sign a contingency agreement on the first call or who refuse to explain the agreement in plain language. A reputable attorney will give you time to think and will answer your questions.
Be cautious of attorneys who have never handled a Reliance Standard case or who seem unfamiliar with disability insurance law. Insurance disputes have specific rules and important date that differ from other types of law. An attorney who specializes in this area will know those rules.
Do not hire an attorney based solely on online advertising or testimonials. Check their license status and ask for references from past clients if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch attorneys if I am unhappy with the one I hired?
Yes, but you must do it carefully. You have the right to fire your attorney at any time, but you may owe them a portion of the recovery if they did significant work on your case before you fired them. The contingency agreement should explain this. Consult a second attorney before firing the first one to understand what you might owe.
What if I cannot afford an attorney?
Contingency representation means you pay nothing upfront. If an attorney will not take your case on contingency, it may mean they believe your case is weak. Ask multiple attorneys — some may see potential where others do not. If no attorney will take your case, you can represent yourself, though this is difficult in insurance disputes.
How much money do I usually recover in a Reliance Standard case?
Recovery depends entirely on your policy benefits, how long you were wrongly denied, and whether you can prove your disability. Some cases recover a few thousand dollars; others recover hundreds of thousands. Your attorney can give you a rough estimate after reviewing your policy and medical evidence.
Will my case go to trial?
Most disability insurance cases settle before trial. Settlement talks usually happen after the internal appeal is denied and the attorney has gathered strong medical evidence. If Reliance Standard will not settle at a reasonable amount, your attorney will file a lawsuit, but many cases still settle during litigation rather than going to trial.
What if Reliance Standard says I did not provide enough medical evidence?
Your attorney will work with your doctors to gather additional records and may send you for an independent medical evaluation to create new evidence. The burden is on Reliance Standard to prove your claim is not covered — you do not have to prove it is. If your doctors say you are disabled, that evidence usually outweighs the insurance company's argument that you did not provide enough documentation.