Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Oregon
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 Oregon.
Lysa – Registered Nurse – Albany, Oregon
Sjogren’s Disease, Lupus, Adrenal Insufficiency, Thyroid Issues, Celiac Disease
A registered nurse from Oregon was 10 years away from retirement. She had worked at the same hospital for 40 years, but had a very complicated medical history due to her clostridium difficile intestinal infections. One day, she awoke to extreme pain and discovered blood in her stool. She went to the nearest emergency room and learned she had developed an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s in addition to Lupus, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid issues, and celiac disease.
She applied for and was granted Short Term Disability benefits, but just a month later the insurance company cut off their payments. In their denial letter, the insurer claimed she did not fit the definition of disability, claiming to have based their decision on an independent physician’s peer review of her medical records. She tried applying for Long Term Disability benefits without the assistance of an attorney, but was again denied on the same grounds.
She knew she needed assistance and retained Fields Law to help fight the insurance company. The Fields Law team wrote a multi-pronged appeal of the insurer’s decisions concerning both her Short and Long Term Disability benefits. Our attorneys argued that the insurance company made multiple errors in their evaluation of our client’s ongoing conditions, and incorrectly limited their consideration to only one physician’s peer review.
However, the insurer decided to reject the appeals, claiming that our client was still capable of full-time employment as a nurse. The Fields Law team filed a lawsuit in federal court. Faced with litigation, the insurance company quickly moved to settle the case and our attorneys were able to secure a large settlement for our client.
Shannon – Logistics Manager – Hermiston, Oregon
Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety
A logistics manager for a large international retailer needed to leave work due to mental health symptoms, as well as the gradual onset of fibromyalgia. She applied to her disability insurance carrier, who denied her claim from the outset. After she filed her own administrative appeal, the insurer upheld the denial and notified her that her claim would remain closed.
She found Fields Law after searching for help online. Our attorneys investigated whether our client had a lawsuit against the insurer. In reviewing the insurer’s file, our attorneys determined there was substantial evidence supporting our client’s claim. After filing a lawsuit, our attorneys successfully negotiated a favorable settlement of our client’s disability claim.
Randal – Home Appliance Inspector and Installer – Klamath Falls, Oregon
Back Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease, Neuropathy
A home appliance inspector and installer from Oregon was reaching while on a ladder at work. He felt a sharp burning sensation in his lower back. His work had exacerbated symptoms from multiple prior back surgeries and he could no longer work. His insurer approved Long Term Disability benefits and paid him monthly benefits for five years. Then the insurer suddenly canceled benefits, saying that they surveilled him and saw a few minutes of activity that showed he could work.
Worried about his lost income he called Fields Law for help. Our team gathered almost 4000 pages of medical records and asked doctors for updated reports to support our client. The Fields Law attorneys examined the evidence and sent a strong appeal to the insurer. Unfortunately, the insurance company did not change their decision. Our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court. During a conference with the judge, our attorneys presented a comprehensive summary of more than seven years of medical records and negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement to close the claim. Our client was relieved to be done fighting his insurance company and is happy to use the settlement funds to continue treatment.
