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.
Kathryn – University Clerk – Wallingford, Connecticut
Herniated Discs, Sciatica
An office clerk at Yale University experienced serious pain due to sciatica and herniated discs in her back. Due to her condition, she was unable to continue in her job and was awarded Long Term Disability benefits through her insurer. After receiving benefits for two years, the insurance company sent a letter informing her that she no longer met their definition of disability. The insurance company based this decision on an opinion from a doctor who she had never seen. She appealed the decision on her own, and the insurance company repeatedly delayed the appeal process before denying benefits again.
Upset and anxious about the sudden loss of income, she contacted Fields Law to assist in contesting the decision from the insurance company. Our attorneys examined the medical records and found that nothing had changed with our client’s diagnosis. The doctor hired by the insurance company made his decision without considering the strong medical evidence that our client was disabled and unable to work.
The Fields Law team filed suit against the insurance company. During preparations for trial, we negotiated a settlement for our client, who was grateful for the resolution of the case and happy to enjoy the settlement check.
Patrick – Medical Lab Technician – Fairfield, Connecticut
Back Pain, Lumbar Radiculopathy, Spondylosis
A medical laboratory technician from Connecticut slipped and fell at work, seriously exacerbating a previous back injury. He underwent discectomy and fusion surgery, but still experienced severe back pain and numbness in his legs. He was forced to stop working due to his symptoms. He received Long Term Disability benefits through his insurance at work for two years. Then, suddenly, the insurer stopped the payments and said that he no longer fit the definition of disabled in the policy.
Without the disability payments, his monthly income would be eliminated. He called Fields Law for help. Our team immediately requested medical records from all our client’s doctors. The Fields Law attorneys ordered updated narrative reports which highlighted our client’s condition. With the evidence strengthened, our attorneys submitted a strong appeal to the insurance company.
Unfortunately, the insurer did not change their mind, but our attorneys were not discouraged and filed a lawsuit in federal court. During preparation for arguments before a judge, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was pleased with the settlement and relieved to be done fighting the insurance company.
Bobby – Restaurant Manager – Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Pulmonary Embolism
A restaurant manager for a national franchise left work after he suffered a pulmonary embolism. The insurer agreed he could not perform the duties of his own occupation as a manager in the fast-paced and demanding setting of his restaurant. Benefits were paid for two years until the insurer stated that he was not disabled under the any occupation standard, contending he would be a competitive applicant for several jobs our client knew nothing about.
Our attorneys assisted him in appealing the decision. Using a vocational expert, the Fields Law attorneys argued that our client was not a competitive applicant for any of the jobs cited by the insurer. After the appeal was denied, our attorneys sent a demand to one of the insurer’s chief legal officers to try to resolve the case prior to incurring the time and expense of a federal lawsuit. After several rounds of negotiations, our client agreed to settle the case on very favorable terms.
