Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Louisiana
Fields Law Firm successfully recovers millions of dollars each year for our disabled clients throughout the United States. Our Long Term Disability experience is matched by very few other law firms in the country and has earned us a national reputation.
Here are just a few examples of our Long Term Disability appeal and lawsuit case wins in Louisiana.
Bernadette – Pharmacy Manager – Zachary, Louisiana
Back Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complications from Chemotherapy, Breast Cancer
A pharmacy manager was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. She stopped working to undergo a double mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy treatment. She qualified for Long Term Disability benefits during her treatment. After treatment, she had severe pain as a side effect from the chemotherapy that developed into fibromyalgia and numbness in her extremities. Despite receiving benefits for two years and keeping the insurance company updated on her condition, the insurer denied her benefits.
Upset about her lost income and the insurer’s change in decision, she contacted Fields Law for assistance. Our attorneys contacted the insurance company for the claim file, and our client’s doctors for their medical records. The insurance company ignored several reports from our client’s doctors and misinterpreted our client’s condition. The Fields Law attorneys sent a strong appeal to the insurer, but they did not change the decision.
Our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client’s benefits. During preparation for trial, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was happy with the settlement and pleased with the quick action and transparent process that Fields Law provided.
Dan – Machinist – Zachary, Louisiana
Back Pain, Complications from Fusion Surgery, Herniated Discs
A machine maintenance worker from Louisiana had multiple back surgeries and required a fusion of two vertebrae. He was unable to continue work because his job required lifting and repairing heavy machine parts. He applied for and received Long Term Disability benefits through his employer. Unfortunately, the insurance company stopped paying benefits after a few months, saying that he suffered from a pre-existing condition that meant he could not receive benefits.
He contacted Fields Law Firm for help. Our team gathered all of our new client’s medical records and compiled all of the evidence the insurance company had as well. Our attorneys scoured the medical records and discovered that the insurer was misreading the medical records. Our client did have a history of low back pain, but the surgery that caused his current disability was to correct a distinct and new disc injury. We submitted a strong appeal to the insurer, but the decision remained unchanged. Our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client’s benefits. During the lead-up to a hearing date, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement and our client received a settlement check that allowed him to continue treatment without fighting his insurance company any more.
Victor – Quality Control Inspector – Berwick, Louisiana
Sciatica, Back Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease
A quality control inspector at a metal shop in Louisiana began having serious back pain. He had an MRI and his doctor discovered multiple bulging discs in his back, likely due to a degenerative disc disorder. He experienced severe pain radiating down his right leg, and was unable to walk a few feet without pain. He was forced to quit working and applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his insurer, but was denied. Mutual of Omaha determined that his job was “light duty” and that he was still capable of performing his job responsibilities.
He contacted Fields Law Firm for help with his appeal. The lawyers at Fields Law Firm closely examined our client’s medical record and found that Mutual of Omaha disregarded a key report. One doctor stated that the employee should be considered disabled from his own occupation right in his medical report and the insurer did not consider this statement in its analysis. After compiling additional treatment records, our attorneys filed the appeal.
Mutual of Omaha agreed that there was an error in their original decision and granted back-pay and continued benefits. Our client was happy to have the means to continue treatment and relieved to be done fighting against Mutual of Omaha.
