Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in California
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 California.
Sharla – University Department Head – Alta Loma, California
Interstitial Cystitis, Pelvic and Abdominal Pain, Migraines, Depression
A University Department Head from California began feeling intense abdominal pain. Her doctor diagnosed her with interstitial cystitis; a bladder condition that causes serious discomfort. As she searched for treatment options, she became depressed. Her symptoms caused her to miss work, and she applied for disability benefits through her employer. The insurer approved her for Short Term Disability benefits, but when the time came to switch her claim to Long Term Disability, Metlife said she no longer fit their definition of disabled.
Worried for her lost income, she contacted Fields Law for help. Our team contacted Metlife and received a complete copy of her claim file which revealed that our client had an opportunity to appeal the decision. Our support team obtained medical records from all our client’s treating physicians and requested narrative reports that supported our client’s claim. After the evidence was gathered, the Fields Law attorneys drafted a strong appeal to Metlife, highlighting treatment records and the applicable law. They reviewed the appeal and overturned their decision. Our client received a lump sum for back-pay and received ongoing monthly benefits.
Robert – Car Salesman – Menifee, California
Complications from Shoulder Surgery, Herniated Discs, Radiculopathy
A car salesman from California began suffering from shoulder and back pain after a car accident that required him to have shoulder surgery. His symptoms made work impossible. After being approved for Short Term Disability benefits and receiving Long Term Disability benefits for two years, the insurance company stopped paying because they said he could return to work.
Worried about his lost income, and still struggling with severe pain, he called Fields Law Firm for help. Our team obtained the claim file from Principal and found that they had overlooked key records. The Fields Law attorneys obtained an expert vocational opinion and drafted a strong appeal. Principal changed their mind on the denial and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits.
Kim – Bank Relationship Manager – Corona, California
Chest Pain, Valve Insufficiencies, Hypertension, Heart Palpitations, Stress, Anxiety
A Relationship Manager at a bank in California suffered from severe anxiety and heart conditions. She was placed on disability by her physicians due to her panic attacks, decreased sleep, decreased motivation, low energy, poor concentration, and frustration tolerance. She applied for both Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits and was verbally denied. She was confused about everything going on and reached out to the Fields Law Team for guidance.
We assured our client that we would do everything in our power to get her the benefits she deserved due to her condition. Our team diligently tried to communicate with Metlife and her employer to get the documents necessary for an appeal. Without success, we drafted an appeal to try to fight our client’s case. Just a couple weeks before our appeal was due, our client’s employer sent us the documents. Our attorneys argued on top of our client’s disabilities that the way she had been treated by Metlife was unacceptable. Our attorneys also applied her disability to her occupation to illustrate how her disability would prevent her from performing the material duties of it. Ultimately, our client’s benefits were approved following the appeal. She was grateful the Fields Law Team was her voice in the battle with Metlife.
