Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against UNUM
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 case wins against UNUM.
Rudy – Water Transfer Operator – El Paso, Texas
Bilateral Knee Pain, Low Back Pain
The tough decision of leaving work due to a disability had to be made by a Water Transfer Operator in El Paso, Texas. He had severe bilateral arthritis in his knees and excruciating low back pain with nerve involvement. He had worked there for many years prior to this disability. Thinking he was covered, he submitted a claim to his Long Term Disability insurance carrier. The insurer agreed the man was unable to handle the machinery and heavy lifting that his job required. However, two years into the claim the insurer denied benefits.
The definition of disability in his policy had changed to consider whether he could do any jobs in the national economy. The insurance company claimed the man could do several clerical and office jobs, even though he had zero experience in those roles. After hiring Fields Law, the attorneys at our firm proceeded to contest the denial. Our attorneys requested reports and letters from our client’s physicians. Using the favorable evidence from our client’s doctors, our attorneys wrote detailed arguments citing statutory and legal authority. After reviewing the appeal, his insurer reinstated benefits.
Amanda – Registered Nurse – Abilene, Texas
Hypocomplementemia Urticarial Vasculitis, Autoimmune Polyarthopy, Hypothyroidism, Connective Tissue Disease
A registered nurse came to Fields Law Firm after her Long Term Disability benefits were terminated. Our client had an active connective tissue disease that is manifested by joint pain, fatigue, and urticarial vasculitis. As a nurse, she could not perform the material duties of her occupation due to her disease. Her condition has limited her ability to function on a daily basis, and affects some activities of daily living.
Upon reaching out to the Fields Law team, our attorneys gathered all the evidence from the medical records and claim file to support our client’s case. We obtained the support of her doctors and filed an appeal to Unum, pointing out that there was no logical or objective interpretation of the medical evidence that could allow somebody to conclude that our client could perform the duties of her occupation. Unum reinstated disability benefits for our client, who was very happy with the outcome.
Cynthia – Registered Nurse – Plano, Texas
Lumbar, Cervical Disc Disease
A nurse became disabled after developing degenerative disc disease in the lumbar and cervical regions in her spine. Her capacity for lifting patients, staying on her feet, and even doing routine paperwork was significantly impaired. Her insurer, however, decided the conditions were not severe enough to rule out working as a nurse. She knew returning to work as a nurse was unsafe for her patients and herself.
She hired Fields Law to file an appeal on her behalf. Our attorneys assembled the medical records to present a complete and holistic view of the claimant’s conditions, restrictions, and limitations. Additionally, we submitted two narrative reports including and independent medical review and a strong report from the woman’s treating provider. After a brief review, her insurance company reversed its decision to deny benefits and started paying the woman’s claim. She was happy to receive a substantial backpay check, as she had been without income for roughly a year.
