Own Occupation vs. Any Occupation: How Carriers Twist Your Job - and the Law - Against You

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 6, Episode 14 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into Own Occupation vs. Any Occupation: How Carriers Twist Your Job - and the Law - Against You.What if your disability claim is denied not because you can work - but because the insurer redefined what your job actually is? By shifting your role from specialist to generalist, or from medium duty to sedentary, carriers can deny valid ERISA disability claims while insisting they followed the policy. In ERISA cases, the definition of your occupation often matters more than your diagnosis. Insurers don’t just assess disability - they decide what job you’re supposedly unable to perform, and that decision is often tilted in their favor. In this episode, we break down how disability carriers misclassify occupations, rely on outdated job descriptions, and use tools like the Dictionary of Occupational Titles to justify denials. We examine how these tactics play out in real claims, why distinctions like light versus medium duty can determine outcomes, and how courts respond when insurers push too far. If you’re navigating a disability claim, this episode explains why “own occupation” may not mean what you think - and how that distinction can decide whether benefits are approved or denied.In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:One - Is Your Disability Insurance Carrier or Plan Playing the Misclassification-Of-Occupation Game in Denying Your ERISA Disability Insurance Benefits?Two - In an ERISA Case, Can a Disability Carrier Legally Use the Dictionary of Occupational Titles to Determine Your Occupation?Three - Bench Trial or No Bench Trial in an ERISA Disability CaseWhether 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-mindLINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefitsFREE 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.