Short & Long Term Disability Lawsuit Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients
Fields Law Firm successfully recovers millions of dollars each year for our disabled clients throughout the United States. Our Long Term Disability litigation 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 lawsuit case wins.
Ian – Feeder Combine Driver – Helena, Montana
Bipolar Disorder
A feeder combine driver from Montana was diagnosed with bipolar disorder causing him to be unable to work. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits, but was denied by the insurer. He retained Fields Law Firm to fight for his claim.
The Fields team appealed his denial, but the insurer maintained their position claiming the medical evidence still didn’t support impairment. The Fields attorneys filed a second mandatory appeal, but the insurer didn’t change their position, so our attorneys filed a lawsuit against the insurer in federal court. The parties litigated the claim for several months before our attorneys sent a demand for settlement. The insurer soon returned a counteroffer and we successfully negotiated a lump sum settlement of our client’s Long Term Disability claim.
Oscar – Sales Inspector – Water Valley, Mississippi
Neck Pain, Back Pain
A Sales Inspector developed severe low back and neck pain after working for several years and was no longer able to work. He applied for and received Long Term Disability benefits for the entire period where he was insured against his Own Occupation. He was denied when the definition of disability changed. The Long Term Disability insurer stated he could return to work full-time at sedentary-type jobs.
The attorneys at Fields Law were hired to file a lawsuit against the insurance company. After reviewing the case, our attorneys determined that the value of the claim would be zeroed out if our client was approved Social Security Disability, due to an overpayment. Our attorneys approached the insurer about a waiver of the potential overpayment for an agreement not to sue the insurer. The insurer agreed that if our client was approved for Social Security Disability, our client would get to keep the backpay and not have to pay any overpayment fees.
Robin – Psychiatric Technician – St. Peters, Missouri
Osteoarthritis of the Knees, Chronic Low Back Pain, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis
A Psychiatric Technician from Missouri was unable to work due to her disabilities of osteoarthritis of the knees, chronic low back pain, chronic pain syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. Because of her inability to work, she applied for Long Term Disability benefits, which the insurance company accepted and began paying. However, the insurer later wrote to advise her that she was not eligible for benefits any longer. They believed she was no longer disabled from performing any gainful occupation. Evidently, the insurance company had conducted a Transferable Skills Analysis and determined that this Psychiatric Technician would be capable of performing the material duties of a Cardiac Monitor Technician, Customer Complaint Clerk, or Office Supervisor. Upset with the termination of benefits, she contacted the attorneys at Fields Law Firm.
The attorneys at Fields Law collected all of her medical records, received opinions from her treating doctors, and filed an appeal in response to the insurer’s decision to terminate benefits. After a review of the appeal, the insurance company still believed she would be capable of performing the material duties of a Cardiac Monitor Technician, Customer Complaint Clerk, or Office Supervisor. Our team filed a second appeal in response to the insurer’s determination to terminate benefits, which was again denied. The Fields Law attorneys immediately filed a lawsuit against the insurer in federal court to fight for our client. During preparation for trial, our attorneys were able to negotiate a generous lump-sum settlement for our client.
