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How Can You Protect Your Disability Claim From the Investigation Tools Used by Disability Insurance Companies

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6 months ago

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You may have counted on your long term disability insurance claim to be treated like any other insurance claim, with you filling in a claim form, maybe a few questions being asked, and then feeling a wave of relief when benefits begin to be paid. Even if there were any challenges, you’d expect them to be straightened out as soon as you provided a reasonable addition to your information, either about your occupation or your medical treatment. This is not always the case.

More than a few of the contractual provisions in your long term disability policy include how the disability insurance company is permitted to confirm your disability.  They routinely use investigation tools that are not part of the contract but are largely permissible.  That often includes surveillance, which takes many shapes, and investigation through social media. 

The old school image of a private investigator sitting in a parked car or an unmarked van parked for several days near your home has been replaced by a vehicle equipped with a video camera so small that you can’t see it. A new mobile phone app that easily obtains video footage of a person or a place replaces even the car. This is unsettling but true: you order up the person, place, or thing you want video footage of, and the app matches you with someone in that area who can get the job done. The cost of a freelance video is even less than parking a car nearby.  Drones can also be used to track claimants – and devices can be left unmanned to seek activity.  

Another possibility is the unfriendly neighbor who has signed up for this app as a side business. The same for a neighbor who is asked to livestream video of the outside of your home to an insurance company denials representative.

Privacy laws still do not permit anyone to record you when you are inside your home, but once you have filed a disability claim, there should be no expectation of privacy once you step outside the door.

How can you protect yourself? 

If the insurance company seeks a medical examination, expect to be under surveillance for the day.  It is a sure thing that you will be leaving the house for the examination. Be sure to go to the exam and return home directly after the examination.  They will be watching you.

In general, keep a detailed journal of when you leave your home and why, so you have more than a vague memory of your appointments. This is very important, especially if you go to a number of doctor or treatment visits. While it might seem rational to stack a few errands together, we often see insurance companies using such “bundled” activity as evidence of someone’s significant functionality, despite the limited activity observed.

We have represented claimants who were prescribed physical therapy and were accused of being well enough to go to a gym, when their musculoskeletal conditions were brutally painful and substantially limiting.  Such information did not matter to the investigator, who was tasked with finding “evidence” to undercut the credibility of the claimant.  

Finally, if you think that someone is videotaping you, do not be confrontational, however furious you are. Anything that you say or do, even as simple as holding out a hand to block the person videotaping you, or as aggressive as pushing them backwards or losing your temper, could be used as evidence against your disability claim. Turn away from the camera and walk slowly away from the person. If you know who the person is (like a neighbor), you may want to file a police report to document the fact that they were videotaping you without your granting permission. But above all, do not engage with the person. 

Remember that video cameras are practically everywhere: between anti-crime cameras on streets and storefronts, video cameras integrated into doorbells and home security systems and the ever present cell phone, any actions outside of your home are potentially subject to being videotaped. When you are on claim, you need to be aware of your actions and how they can be deliberately misinterpreted by the disability insurance company. 

Keep Your Life Offline – Why Social Media is Dangerous for LTD Claimants 

The urge to share your life on social media has worked against many claimants, who might share a once in a lifetime vacation and see it utilized by an insurance company to undercut their claim. While this information may be used to assess the validity of disability benefits claims and determine if the claimant’s reported limitations align with their online presence, it is often misused and overly emphasized.  

More than a few cases have gone to court questioning the admissibility of social media posts as evidence used to deny a claim. The insurance companies won. Staying off of social media is the best course of action for anyone contemplating filing a claim or who is being paid benefits.

Disability insurance companies monitor online activity, and whatever is public is fair game.  Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms are rich resources to uncover or discover collateral information about a claimant. 

Should You Travel When You’re On Disability?

Clients who have taken family cruises are deemed no longer disabled, even if they never left the ship and were limited in their activities.  The myopic focus from the insurance company is on what you did, not what you could not do.  There may be provisions in your long term disability insurance contract that addresses restrictions on travelling, especially outside of the country – be sure to understand your contract.

One client travelled to Europe for her son’s wedding, and despite being unable to engage in most activities but the actual wedding ceremony, the congratulations received from others on social media were used by her insurance company as proof she was not depressed or disabled.  Social Security does not account for social media issues, but long term disability insurance companies are not restricted in the same way, and because they are for profit entities, are more intent on seeking a reason to support a termination of a claim. 

Be wary, and not naïve, of what the insurance company has in its arsenal of tools.  And be smart, and do not help them hurt you by broadcasting your life on social media.

Our Experience: 

  1. New York Life Disability Claim Denials
  2. Principal Disability Claim Denials
  3. UNUM Disability Claim Denials
  4. Hartford Disability Claim Denials
  5. Lincoln Disability Claim Denials
  6. Guardian Disability Claim Denials
  7. Mass Mutual Disability Claim Denials
  8. Metlife Disability Claim Denials & Complaints 
  9. Prudential Disability Claim Denials & Complaints 

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Trivolve Tech and Quixy joins hands to Revolutionize Forensic Systems in India on Cardano

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9 hours ago

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October 22, 2024

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Hyderabad, India, 22nd October 2024, ZEX PR WIRE, Trivolve Tech, a blockchain and AI product studio and Quixy, a leader in no-code/low-code enterprise solutions, , have officially partnered to co-develop cutting-edge forensic management systems for state governments across India. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the handling and integrity of forensic evidence by integrating Cardano blockchain technology and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) into evidence management systems.

The project will initially focus on the Uttar Pradesh state government, which handles over one million forensic cases annually. The key objective is to enhance the forensic chain of custody—a process crucial for ensuring the authenticity and integrity of forensic evidence presented in court.

Addressing the Challenges in Forensic Evidence Management

Forensic departments in India face significant challenges in maintaining the chain of custody for evidence. Current centralized systems are vulnerable to tampering and unauthorized access, posing risks to the credibility of evidence in legal cases. The joint venture between Quixy and Trivolve Tech addresses these challenges by developing a decentralized solution leveraging Cardano’s smart contracts and Zero Knowledge Proofs. This approach ensures that every step in the chain of custody is immutably recorded on the blockchain, providing an unprecedented level of transparency and security.

Integrating Cardano Blockchain for Enhanced Security and Scalability

Cardano, one of the most decentralized and sustainable blockchain platforms, will be integral to the forensic management system through its cryptographic hashing. Cardano operates on a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which makes it 99.99% more energy-efficient than Bitcoin and Ethereum. This sustainability, coupled with security, positions Cardano as an eco-friendly option for large-scale projects like this one.

Rahul Konudula, CEO of Trivolve Tech, commented, “By integrating Cardano blockchain with forensic management, we are providing a game-changing solution that improves transparency, accountability, and security for law enforcement agencies. This collaboration could set the standard for forensic evidence management across India’s 28 states and 8 union territories.”

About Quixy

Quixy is a no-code/low-code platform that helps organizations automate business processes and build enterprise applications faster with fewer resources. With over 26,000 no-code apps and 200,000 users, Quixy is one of India’s leading software companies.

About Trivolve Tech

Trivolve Tech is a product development studio solving real-world problems through Blockchain and AI. They integrate blockchain into enterprises and government operations, driving innovation and sustainable growth while enhancing liquidity by tokenizing Real World Assets.

For more information, please visit:
Quixy – https://quixy.com/

Trivolve Tech – https://trivolvetech.com/

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The importance of QuickBooks file repair: Damaged QuickBooks files can disrupt business operations, making it challenging to access financial data

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9 hours ago

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October 22, 2024

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Brandon, MB, 22nd October 2024, ZEX PR WIRE, QuickBooks is an incredibly robust accounting tool, capable of handling a variety of financial tasks. However, like any software, it is susceptible to encountering issues, including file corruption. A damaged QuickBooks file can significantly disrupt business operations, making it challenging to access financial data, create reports, or process transactions. QuickBooks file repair is a powerful process designed to effectively address these issues and restore the integrity of your data.

Some common reasons include power failures or system crashes during QuickBooks usage can lead to file corruption. Another common reason is if the company file grows over time, it may become too large, causing performance issues or data corruption. Issues with hardware or bad sectors on the hard drive can lead to file damage.

Incompatible software or updates can occasionally interfere with QuickBooks, resulting in file corruption. 

QuickBooks provides a built-in tool called QuickBooks File Doctor, designed to identify and repair common issues related to file corruption. This tool can be downloaded and run to fix network and data file issues, offering a simple and effective solution in many cases.

If the file is too corrupted to repair, restoring from a recent backup can save your data. Regular backups are essential as they provide a safeguard in case of severe damage. 

QuickBooks includes a “Rebuild Data” feature that can resolve minor data corruption issues. This tool automatically scans the company file for inconsistencies and fixes them, ensuring the file is in good shape.

In cases of severe file damage or when internal tools fail to resolve the issue, consulting a professional QuickBooks repair service may be necessary. These services specialize in repairing damaged files and recovering lost data, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.

QuickBooks file repair is crucial when your data is compromised. By using built-in tools like QuickBooks File Doctor, restoring backups, or seeking professional help, you can effectively recover from file corruption and ensure business continuity.

For professional expertise on repairing a damaged QuickBooks file, visit https://quickbooksrepairpro.com/quickbooks-data-recovery.aspx

About QuickBooks Repair Pro

QuickBooksRepairpro.com is a leading QuickBooks File Repair and Data Recovery, QuickBooks Conversion, QuickBooks Mac Repair, and QuickBooks SDK programming services provider in North America, serving thousands of business users all over the world. With over 20 years of experience with Intuit QuickBooks, QuickBooksRepairpro.com assists QuickBooks users and small businesses with a variety of services and work with the US, UK, Canadian, Australian (Reckon Accounts), and New Zealand versions of QuickBooks (PC and Mac platforms).

For more information, visit https://quickbooksrepairpro.com/

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Optimizing your QuickBooks file is crucial for ensuring your accounting software runs efficiently, protecting data integrity, and facilitating smoother operations

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9 hours ago

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October 22, 2024

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Kingston, 22nd October 2024, ZEX PR WIRE, As businesses grow, so do their financial records, often leading to larger QuickBooks company files. While QuickBooks is designed to handle substantial data, file optimization is crucial for maintaining efficiency and performance. 

 Large company files can slow down QuickBooks, leading to lagging responses when entering data, generating reports, or running payroll. Optimization helps reduce file size and improve system speed, allowing for smoother operations.

Over time, as files grow and become fragmented, the risk of data corruption increases. Regular optimization can help maintain file integrity, reducing the likelihood of encountering issues that can lead to data loss.

 A smaller, optimized file takes less time to back up and restore, which is critical during system updates or when recovering from a crash. This can save valuable time and resources, especially during busy financial periods.

File optimization makes it easier to manage and navigate your financial records. By condensing and organizing data, users can quickly access the information they need without wading through excessive amounts of data.

Optimized files allow for quicker and more accurate financial reporting, ensuring that your business remains compliant with tax regulations and internal policies. This efficiency is vital for audits and decision-making processes.

Use QuickBooks’ built-in “Condense Data” feature to remove historical transactions and reduce file size while retaining necessary data. Schedule regular maintenance checks to identify and repair data integrity issues. Utilizing tools like QuickBooks File Doctor can help identify potential problems early. Regularly review and archive old transactions that are no longer needed for day-to-day operations, which can significantly reduce file size. Keep an eye on your company file size and set thresholds for when optimization is needed to prevent performance degradation.

Optimizing your QuickBooks file is crucial for ensuring your accounting software runs efficiently, protecting data integrity, and facilitating smoother operations. Regularly implementing optimization strategies can lead to significant benefits, allowing your business to focus on growth and success.

https://quickbooksrecovery.co.uk/quickbooks-file-data-services/quickbooks-file-optimization-service/ 

About E-Tech

E-Tech is the leading service provider of QuickBooks File Repair, Data Recovery, QuickBooks Conversion and QuickBooks SDK programming in the UK and Ireland. In our 20 years plus of experience with Intuit QuickBooks, we have assisted over a 1000 satisfied customers with their requirements.

We offer a range of services for existing QuickBooks users and provide comprehensive solutions for small businesses. Additionally, our expertise covers the US, UK, Canadian, Australian (Reckon Accounts), and New Zealand versions of QuickBooks (PC and Mac platforms).

For media inquiries regarding E-Tech, individuals are encouraged to contact Media Relations Director, Melanie Ann via email at Melanie@e-tech.ca. 

To learn more about the company, visit: www.e-tech.ca

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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