ERISA Appeal Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
Group Disability Claim Denied? Your Appeal Starts Here.
When a group disability claim is denied, most employees don’t realize they’re standing at the most consequential moment in the entire process. At Martin J. Sperry, P.A., we handle ERISA appeals for employees throughout Fort Lauderdale and South Florida whose group disability benefits have been wrongfully denied. With more than 45 years of experience in disability insurance law and millions of dollars recovered for clients, we know what a strong appeal requires, and we build it from the first day of your case.
Most private employer-sponsored disability policies are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), a federal law that gives you the right to appeal a denial before pursuing a lawsuit. That appeal isn’t optional procedure. It’s a legal requirement, and it’s the last chance to build the evidence record your case will rest on. We don’t handle Social Security Disability claims. Our practice centers on disability insurance and ERISA, which means every case benefits from focused attention in this specific area of law.
If you’ve received a denial, contact Martin J. Sperry, P.A. today at (954) 324-2340 for a free consultation by phone, in person, or via Zoom. There’s no fee unless we recover benefits for you.
The ERISA Appeals Process After a Denial
After your claim is denied, the insurer is generally required to send a written denial letter identifying the specific reasons for the denial, the policy terms it relied on, and instructions for filing an appeal. Read that letter carefully. Under federal regulations, you generally have 180 days from the date you receive it to file a written administrative appeal with the insurance company. Missing that deadline can permanently forfeit both your right to appeal and your ability to file a lawsuit.
During the appeal window, you have the right to request your complete claim file from the insurer at no charge. That file reveals what evidence the insurer used and, critically, what it ignored. You may then submit additional medical records, treating physician statements, physician evaluations, and functional capacity assessments to strengthen the record. Once the appeal is submitted, the insurer generally has 45 days to issue a decision, with one possible 45-day extension for special circumstances, and the reviewer must be someone not involved in the original denial.
The Stakes of Getting the Appeal Right
If the administrative appeal is denied, the path leads to federal district court. At that stage, the federal judge typically reviews only the administrative record compiled during the claim and appeal. No new medical records, reports, or testimony can generally be introduced. The quality of the appeal you file today is the foundation of any federal case tomorrow. An incomplete or disorganized appeal doesn’t just hurt the appeal; it can permanently limit what you can argue in court.
A phone call or informal communication doesn’t constitute a valid ERISA appeal. The submission must be written, follow the plan’s stated procedures, and arrive within the deadline. Some plan documents also impose deadlines shorter than the 180-day federal default for certain claim types, making it essential to review plan documents immediately after a denial.
Don’t let the 180-day deadline slip. Call Martin J. Sperry, P.A. at (954) 324-2340 to review your denial letter and discuss your appeal options at no cost and no obligation.
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Martin Sperry, is a respected fellow lawyer in the community who consulted me on the case, and his insight was invaluable. He is highly ethical, extremely knowledgeable, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to the people he serves. His professionalism and care truly set him apart.- Karina A.
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Marty is amazing. Even after my case he’s always been a phone call away to guide me on legal matters and referred me in the right direction. Highly recommend him!- Girasol M.
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We highly recommend Martin Sperry and his team. Mr. Sperry is very knowledgeable and compassionate. He walked us through the process and was always available to answer any questions. He is amazing, professional and truly cares about his clients. We always felt that we were in great hands and knew he would get us a positive result. We always felt comfortable with him and we felt like family. Thank you Mr. Sperry for all you have accomplished for us. You are amazing!- Julia S.
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- Bruno S.
Martin Sperry is diligent thorough and precise with his explanations and delivery in court. His recommendations and integrity led us to a positive result and we are grateful to have found him
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I want to sincerely thank Attorney Martin J. Sperry for his professionalism, legal expertise, and patience throughout my disability case. His over 45 years of legal experience was evident in how he approached every detail, especially when navigating a complex situation involving misinformation from the insurance company.- Duane H.
What stood out most was his willingness to reassess the case when new facts came to light. He remained objective, thorough, and honest — qualities that are invaluable in legal representation. Thanks to his guidance, my case was resolved with a positive outcome.
If you're facing a long- or short-term disability denial or an insurance-related dispute, I highly recommend Martin J. Sperry, P.A. He understands the system, and more importantly, he fights for what’s right. -
I cannot recommend my lawyer and his team highly enough. He took over my short-term and long-term disability case and did an absolutely outstanding job getting my claim overturned. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless and handled with the highest level of professionalism.- Morgan S.
Communication was impeccable throughout the entire case. I was always kept informed, my questions were answered promptly and clearly, and I never once felt left in the dark. What truly sets him apart, though, is that he never treated me like just another case file. He treated me like a human being — with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion.
During an incredibly stressful and vulnerable time in my life, he was steady, reassuring, and deeply attentive to my situation. He listened, he cared, and he advocated for me every step of the way. His expertise, dedication, and empathy made all the difference, and I am beyond grateful for the outcome he achieved for me.
If you are looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also truly compassionate and respectful, I wholeheartedly recommend him. -
I highly recommend Marty! He was very attentive to my case and was easy to communicate with. He was also very patient with me throughout the process as I had no knowledge of how short term disability claims worked. He was able to get my appeal approved and in a reasonable time frame. Furthermore he always had time for my questions and concerns and was flexible with allowing me to come to his office if needed which was much appreciated. I liked how my case, even though it was not a large case, seemed to hold just as much value to him.- Alaina A.
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Marty is amazing! Caring, great communicator, understanding and treats you like family! Professional in every sense of the word and knows his law!!! And the best part? He WON my case!!!! I highly recommend him!- Donna V.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
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$350,000 Lump Sum Settlement on Individual Disability Policy
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$135,000 Recovery ERISA Disability Benefits
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$5,000,000 Recovery for Delayed Payment of Insurance Benefits
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$800,000 Recovery for Delayed Payment of Insurance Benefits
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$520,000 Recovery of Accidental Dismemberment Benefits
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$260,000 Recovery of Disability Benefits
An ERISA Appeal Attorney in Fort Lauderdale Who Knows Both Sides
Attorney Martin Sperry began his career representing insurance companies. That background isn’t incidental. It means he understands precisely how claims examiners are trained to evaluate appeals, how denial letters are constructed to satisfy procedural requirements while minimizing liability, and what gaps in the claimant’s record insurers look for when deciding whether to uphold a denial. Every ERISA appeal we handle is built with that institutional knowledge applied directly on your behalf.
Clients work directly with Attorney Sperry from the initial consultation through the resolution of the appeal or any subsequent litigation. There are no handoffs to associates or paralegals. That structure isn’t a policy statement; it’s how we believe disability cases should be handled, because the details that determine an appeal’s outcome require a senior attorney’s judgment at every stage.
Verified results include:
- $1,950,000 disability insurance benefits recovery
- $135,000 ERISA disability benefits recovery
Our contingency fee structure means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover benefits. We serve clients in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and throughout South Florida.
Credentials That Matter in Federal ERISA Cases
ERISA appeals denied administratively generally proceed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. We handle the full arc of that process. Attorney Sperry has been admitted to practice in Florida since 1972, and after law school, he served as a law clerk for the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, giving him direct federal court exposure from the outset of his career. That federal foundation informs how we build appeals: with an eye toward what a federal judge will see if the case goes to court.
The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer-review classification available to legal professionals. Attorney Sperry has been recognized by The American Board of Trial Advocates, Super Lawyers, The Florida Bar, the American Association for Justice, the Broward County Bar, Broward County Trial Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
Honest, Responsive Representation at Every Stage
We don’t manage your case from a distance. Clients have a direct line to Attorney Sperry, honest assessments of case strength at each stage, and prompt follow-up when circumstances change. If your appeal doesn’t produce a favorable outcome, we can help you understand and pursue your options in federal court. The same attorney who built your appeal handles that next step.
We understand that a disability denial arrives when you’re already dealing with a serious medical condition and real financial pressure. Our role is to give you a clear picture of where you stand and a disciplined plan to move forward. That directness has defined how Martin J. Sperry, P.A. has practiced for more than four decades.
Speak with an ERISA Appeal Attorney Before Your Deadline Passes
The 180-day appeal window begins from the date you receive your denial letter. Acting early gives us more time to build a complete record, gather physician opinions, and counter the insurer’s arguments before the file closes. Martin J. Sperry, P.A. offers free initial consultations by phone, in person, or via Zoom for clients in Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, Broward County, and throughout Florida. There is no fee unless we recover benefits on your behalf.
Call us today at (954) 324-2340 to discuss your denial and find out how we can help you move forward.
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Personalized Legal Services
All clients work directly with Attorney Sperry to discuss their unique case.
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Cost-Efficient Approach
No fee unless we reach a resolution and recovery on your case.
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Experience on Your SideOur Attorney brings more than 45 years of experience to every case that we take on.
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Free ConsultationsDon't wait, contact our firm to schedule your free consultation today.
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Seeking Justice for Denied Insurance Claims in South Florida?Get the compensation you deserve with Martin J. Sperry, P.A.! Our experienced Disability Attorney has recovered millions for clients.
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Need Results for Your Insurance Claim in Fort Lauderdale?
Count on Martin J. Sperry, P.A.! Our Disability Attorney has a proven track record, securing millions for clients.
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Seeking Trusted Representation in Fort Lauderdale?
Discover why clients trust Martin J. Sperry, P.A.! Our Disability Attorney is backed by rave reviews for our dedicated advocacy.
