How to screen cases

• Author: Scott M. Riemer/Jennifer L. Hess
• Pages: 21-24

1-3

Chapter 1

HOW TO SCREEN CASES

§1.0 INTRODUCTION

Before you can take on an LTD case, you must screen it carefully.

Careful screening not only will help you determine if this is a case you

want to take on, but it also will help you develop your best possible

strategy to win. In our practice, screening occurs in two steps: (1) the

intake process; and (2) the initial consultation. Below, you will learn

how to go through each step with ease.

§1.1 INTAKE PROCESS

e intake call is your prospective client’s rst interaction with you

and/or your rm. During intake, you or your sta will ask questions

to determine whether there may be a viable LTD claim. You want to

develop a system that will help you move through this process in a

systematic way.

e purpose of the intake call is to establish a connection with the

prospective client by letting him tell his story, but also to weed out callers

who may not have a viable LTD claim. You will receive many calls from

people who have only Social Security disability claims and/or workers

compensation claims. Unless you handle such claims, these callers need

to be referred out to other appropriate attorneys.

Use this checklist of four questions to identify possible long term

disability benet claims. If the prospective client answers “yes” to each

of them, he or she may have a viable disability claim:

• Did your employer provide you with long term disability insurance?