ERISA law relates to short-term disability and long-term disability if you can’t work because of an injury OR illness. WHAT is important is if an Insurance company denies your benefit it is crucial to hire an attorney for your appeal. A Federal Judge and not a Jury will decide who is right and the only evidence used are the document you file on your appeal. There are important deadlines for appealing short and long term disability and more restrictive deadlines if an insurance company is not paying a Life insurance policy of your deceased loved one.