Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against UNUM

A mechanic from Indiana developed systemic degenerative bone disease and was forced out of work. After leaving work, she began suffering from extensive mental health issues. She applied for and was granted Long Term Disability benefits. She remained on claim for two years before Unum canceled her benefits when her policy changed the definition of “Totally Disabled.”

Knowing she needed help appealing Unum’s decision, she retained Fields Law to fight for her case. The Fields team began requesting updated medical records from her providers and crafting an appeal of the insurer’s arguments in their denial letter. The Fields attorneys submitted their appeal and within a few weeks, Unum had overturned their prior denial and were issuing a check for back benefits.

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.

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.