Long-Term Disability Settlement Calculator Durham, NC
Denied, cut off or offered a buyout? Estimate your back pay, future benefits and a typical lump-sum settlement. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Updated · lawyer rankings recalculated
Individual policies can cap the monthly benefit or end at a different age. Check your policy schedule.
Enter your monthly benefit, or your salary.
The 2026 average is about $1,630 a month.
Count from when benefits stopped (or should have started) until today.
Enter your age (18 or older, below the age benefits end).
Brent Adams & Associates
4.9 · 342 reviews · Disability claims
Free claim review →
Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
4.9 · 139 reviews · Disability claims
Free claim review →
Kevin Bunn, Attorney at Law
5.0 · 67 reviews · Disability claims
Free claim review →
General estimate only, not legal or tax advice. No attorney–client relationship is created.
Top-rated disability lawyers in Durham
Ranked by TrustAnalytica from verified reviews · see the full Top 10 list →
Brent Adams & Associates
Brent Adams & Associates has over a decade of experience helping clients navigate Social Security Disability claims in North Carolina. The team also handles personal injury cases like car accidents and workers’ compensation. Clients often highlight the staff’s responsiveness and friendly, supportive approach throughout the process.
Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Specializing in Social Security Disability law, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin bring decades of experience navigating complex disability claims. Their team handles applications and legal representation with clear communication and a patient, professional approach. Clients appreciate their attentiveness and timely updates throughout the process.
Kevin Bunn, Attorney at Law
Board-certified in Workers' Compensation Law, Kevin Bunn focuses exclusively on representing injured workers in North Carolina. His practice handles claims for workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and related disputes before the Industrial Commission. Clients appreciate the team's thorough communication and steady support throughout often complex cases.
Riddle & Brantley, LLP
Riddle & Brantley, LLP focuses on helping clients secure Social Security Disability benefits, especially after initial claim denials. Their team handles disability and personal injury cases with regular updates and a caring approach. Some clients note cases can take time, but many appreciate the firm’s consistent communication and support.
Walker Lambe, PLLC
Walker Lambe, PLLC brings over 35 years of experience to estate and trust planning, serving individuals, families, and businesses with personalized legal support. The team is known for clear communication and a thoughtful approach, helping clients feel confident and well-informed throughout the process. Some visitors note the office could improve accessibility features.
Roberti Wicker Lauffer & Cinski PA
Roberti Wicker Lauffer & Cinski PA specializes in handling Social Security disability claims, including appeals up to Federal Court, where many firms do not practice. Their team assists clients throughout the application and appeals process, though some clients have noted challenges with communication and responsiveness. Many appreciate the firm’s thorough preparation and persistence in difficult… more...
Roberti Wicker Lauffer & Cinski PA specializes in handling Social Security disability claims, including appeals up to Federal Court, where many firms do not practice. Their team assists clients throughout the application and appeals process, though some clients have noted challenges with communication and responsiveness. Many appreciate the firm’s thorough preparation and persistence in difficult cases.
Billie J. Guthrie, Attorney at Law PLLC
Specializing in Social Security Disability, Billie J. Guthrie, Attorney at Law PLLC works closely with clients to develop personalized legal strategies. The team also handles guardianship, trusteeships, and power of attorney matters, offering compassionate support throughout often lengthy processes. Clients appreciate their availability, thoroughness, and empathetic approach.
Gahagan Paradis, PLLC
Gahagan Paradis, PLLC specializes in special education law, representing students, parents, and teachers in North Carolina. The firm assists with IEP negotiations, disability benefits, and related legal challenges, often guiding families through complex school disputes. While some clients appreciate the team’s knowledge and support, others have expressed concerns about fees and communication.
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Starting price | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brent Adams & Associates | 4.9 | 342 | $100 | (919) 726-3705 | Visit |
| 2 | Law Offices of James Scott Farrin | 4.9 | 139 | $5,000 | (252) 492-4600 | Visit |
| 3 | Kevin Bunn, Attorney at Law | 5.0 | 67 | $50 | (800) 665-8945 | Visit |
| 4 | Riddle & Brantley, LLP | 4.6 | 51 | $1,000 | (919) 864-2419 | Visit |
| 5 | Walker Lambe, PLLC | 4.8 | 45 | $100 | (919) 493-8411 | Visit |
| 6 | Roberti Wicker Lauffer & Cinski PA | 4.0 | 16 | $100 | (919) 683-2436 | Visit |
| 7 | Billie J. Guthrie, Attorney at Law PLLC | 5.0 | 12 | $100 | (919) 525-3979 | Visit |
| 8 | Gahagan Paradis, PLLC | 3.9 | 15 | $100 | (919) 942-1430 | Visit |
How this Durham long-term disability calculator works
This calculator adds two numbers. Back pay is the monthly benefit your policy should have paid (capped at the policy maximum if it has one, less any SSDI or workers' comp offset) multiplied by the months it has been unpaid. Benefits only start after your policy's waiting (elimination) period, so count unpaid months from the end of that period. Future benefits are the same monthly amount until your policy's end age (usually 65), converted to today's value with a discount rate. Insurers rarely pay the full future value in a lump sum, so the estimate also shows the range buyouts typically land in, which depends on whether you are still being paid, were cut off, or were denied from the start. If your benefit is taxable, it also shows roughly what you keep each month after tax.
North Carolina rules this calculator applies
- Deadline to act
- For an ERISA employer plan, file your internal appeal within 180 days of the denial letter; you cannot sue until it is decided.
- Discount rate
- Future benefits are discounted at 3%, a common buyout assumption. If your benefit has a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the calculator uses 1% instead: your payments grow with inflation, so less is taken off for the time value of money.
- Typical buyout range
- Published lump-sum settlements land at about 50–75% of the present value of future benefits when the claim is being paid, 40–70% after benefits are cut off, and 30–60% when the claim was denied from the start. Back pay is added on top.
- SSDI offset
- Most employer plans reduce your LTD benefit by any Social Security Disability (SSDI) you receive (about $1,630 a month on average in 2026). Workers' compensation are usually deducted too.
- Tax
- If your employer paid the premiums, or you paid them with pre-tax dollars, LTD benefits and settlements are taxable income. If you paid with after-tax money, they are generally not. Get tax advice before you sign.
- ERISA plans
- Most employer plans are governed by ERISA: you must file an internal appeal within 180 days of the denial before you can sue, the insurer usually has 45 days (plus one 45-day extension) to decide, and the case is then heard by a judge on the written record. ERISA allows back benefits, reinstatement and attorney fees, but no jury and no punitive or emotional-distress damages. Individual, government and church plans fall outside ERISA, so state law applies: you can usually sue in state court, and bad-faith damages may be available.
- Recovery and life expectancy
- Insurers rarely pay every month to the end date: they will argue you may recover or that your condition shortens your life expectancy. These arguments are complex and differ case by case, so have an attorney assess how they apply to you.
General information about North Carolina disability insurance law, not legal or tax advice. The estimate is not a guarantee: your policy wording, medical evidence, offsets and the insurer's position all change the answer. A disability lawyer can tell you how these rules apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
9 questionsHow does the long-term disability settlement calculator work?
What is a long-term disability buyout?
Why are LTD settlements below full value?
What happens if my LTD claim is denied in North Carolina?
How does an SSDI offset affect my LTD benefits?
Are LTD settlements taxable in North Carolina?
What is the 'own occupation' vs 'any occupation' test?
How accurate is the LTD settlement calculator for Durham?
What is the deadline for appealing an LTD denial in Durham?
General information, not legal advice — consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.