Own Occupation vs Any Occupation: Breaking Down Disability Claim Stages

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode.

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 37 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into the complicated topic of "Own Occupation vs Any Occupation: Breaking Down Disability Claim Stages."

Most people think that winning an ERISA disability claim comes down to proving you’re sick or injured enough to stop working. But that’s only half the battle. The real fight often happens on the work side of your claim - where insurance carriers dissect your job duties, analyze your skills, and argue that you can still perform “other work,” even if you can’t do your old job. In this episode of Winning Isn’t Easy, disability law expert Nancy L. Cavey breaks down how carriers use vocational analysis to deny claims - and what you can do to stay one step ahead. You’ll learn how insurers evaluate your own occupation versus any occupation, and why these two stages can dramatically change the outcome of your case. Nancy walks through the eight key questions carriers ask, from assessing your residual functional capacity and physical strength to determining how your skills might “transfer” to other jobs. You’ll also discover how labor market surveys, transferable skills assessments, and vague job descriptions can be used to distort your work history - and how to push back with detailed, accurate evidence. By the end, you’ll understand why your medical records alone aren’t enough, and how clear documentation of your job duties, limitations, and vocational profile can make or break your claim. When it comes to ERISA disability claims, knowing how your work is evaluated is just as important as knowing your diagnosis. Because when carriers twist the definition of “work,” you need to be ready to defend the truth. Winning Isn’t Easy, but with insight, preparation, and the right strategy, you can protect your benefits and your future.

In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:

One - The First Four Questions - Proving Disability at the Own Occupation Stage

Two - The Next Four Questions - Skills, Transferability, and the Labor Market

Three - The Any Occupation Stage - A Tougher Standard

Whether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.


Listen to Our Sister Podcast:

We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/


Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mind

LINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefits

FREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/


Need Help Today?:

Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.

Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve.

Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.