Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Alabama

An automobile assembly line worker from Alabama experienced back and shoulder pain from a partial tear of her rotator cuff. She had knee replacement surgery as well, causing arthritis in her knee and she was forced to stop working due to her injury. She received disability benefits through her employee insurance plan until the insurer suddenly stopped paying her benefits, even though she was receiving disability benefits from Social Security. Her insurance company sent her a letter stating that, although her pain required her to shift positions four times an hour, she could still do sedentary work and was therefore ineligible for benefits. She appealed with no avail.

Shocked with the insurer’s unrealistic interpretation of her symptoms, she called Fields Law for help. The attorneys at Fields Law examined the denial documents and found that the insurance company’s hired physician did a very poor job of analyzing our client’s conditions. The hired physician called our client’s doctors after their offices were closed, or with only five minutes remaining in the workday. They also stated that an opinion from our client’s knee doctor meant she could reach her arms above her head. Our attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the insurance company to fight for our client’s rights. During preparation for trial, we negotiated a generous settlement to avoid further litigation on the issue. Our client received a lump-sum payment that allowed her to move on with her life and continue treatment.

An over-the-road trucker from Alabama began experiencing syncopal episodes. His doctors had no idea what was causing the episodes, but knew he simply could not continue driving his truck. He received benefits from his Long Term Disability insurance carrier for several months. However, he received a denial about a year into the claim. Guardian claimed that he had failed to submit ongoing proof of his disability.

He found Fields Law Firm after searching for help online. We collected medical records and a letter from his doctor explaining the dangers of our client operating any vehicle. We submitted the medical records and letter to Guardian along with a memorandum outlining our client’s legal rights under the statute governing the policy. After review, Guardian reversed its decision to deny benefits and started paying our client’s claim.

A production line worker at a large car manufacturing company became disabled when he suffered a stroke. After he recovered from the stroke, he still had severe deficits that limited his ability to stand, walk, and perform his daily routine. He was also required to take blood pressure medication that almost completely incapacitated him. While CIGNA agreed he was not able to return to work on the production lines, they denied benefits when the definition of disability changed to include other occupations. They stated he could perform sedentary work on a full-time basis so he appealed the initial denial on his own, but the denial was upheld.

Disappointed by the decision, he hired Fields Law to assist with a second appeal. Our attorneys closely examined the claim file and denial letters and found that the insurer’s doctors failed to consider the effects of the blood pressure medication on our client’s ability to work. After updating medical records, the appeal was submitted arguing that CIGNA needed to consider the totality of the claimant’s condition including side-effects of prescribed drugs. On review, CIGNA agreed and reinstated our client’s claim.