Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Alaska
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 and lawsuit case wins in Alaska.
Scott – Freight Handler – Anchorage, Alaska
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
A freight handler from Alaska had to stop working due to severe pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. He applied for Long Term Disability but was denied, with his insurer stating the medical records did not suggest he was limited from performing his duties. He appealed on his own and was unsuccessful. Then, he contacted Fields Law Firm.
Our attorneys filed a lawsuit and pointed out his consistent treatment, the good notes from his medical providers, and their support. We argued that the insurer admitted he was disabled before and after his carpal tunnel surgery. The insurer claimed he was not disabled between surgeries and thus did not prove disability throughout the entire period. We successfully argued that this kind of reasoning breached their duties as a fiduciary by selectively choosing information to deny him benefits.
Robert – Plumbing Engineer – Palmer, Alaska
Cervical Stenosis, Back Pain, Carpal Tunnel
A Plumbing Engineer from Palmer, Alaska began experiencing severe back pain. He had surgery which involved hardware being installed in his neck. The surgery caused numbness in his arms which required further surgeries and resulted in carpal tunnel syndrome as well. Incredibly, his Long Term Disability insurance company denied his benefits after only a few months because they believed he could return to his work in which he was required to frequently exert up to 50 pounds of force.
Shocked by the insurance company’s decision and worried about his lost income, he called Fields Law Firm for help. Our team obtained the full claim file from the insurance company and our attorneys scoured the record for places where the insurance company made legal or factual errors. Our attorneys drafted a strong appeal to the insurer based on updated medical records, expert testimony, and strong legal research. The insurance company changed their mind and overturned the decision and our client received a lump-sum check for back pay and ongoing monthly benefits. He was pleased with the diligent advocacy from Fields Law and was happy to be done fighting his insurance company.
Joseph – Line Maintenance Worker – Anchorage, Alaska
Vertigo, Dizziness
A Line Maintenance Worker from Alaska was injured when he slipped and fell at work, causing him to hit his head. After the injury, he began to experience severe vertigo and dizziness. His job required him to climb ladders and work at heights, which was clearly a significant hazard. He was paid Short Term Disability benefits, but, when he applied for Long Term Disability benefits, Aetna denied the claim.
After receiving the denial, he contacted Fields Law Firm to help him appeal the denial. In response to the denial, our attorneys compiled all of the medical evidence, which included all of the records from numerous providers our client had seen across the country in an attempt to get an answer for how he could recover. The appeal also articulated why the insurer’s denial was based on incorrect or improper grounds. On review, Aetna overturned their denial, paid benefits that were past due, and began to pay his benefits on a monthly basis.
