Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against CIGNA
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 case wins against CIGNA.
Marie – Logistics Specialist – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Multiple Sclerosis, Bulging Discs, Nerve Root Impingement, Chronic Pain
A Logistics Specialist from Colorado suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, bulging discs with nerve root impingement in her spine, and chronic pain. Originally, she was taken off of work by her medical providers and applied for benefits through her insurance plan. She was approved and paid benefits for 24 months. However, when the definition of disability changed to “any occupation” under the relevant policy, CIGNA discontinued benefits asserting there were occupations she was capable of performing in the national economy.
After attempting to fight this denial on her own without success, she reached out to Fields Law Firm for help. Our attorneys built an appeal establishing that her condition had not improved, but actually worsened over the course of time benefits had been paid. Additionally, the appeal established that her insurer failed to properly evaluate our client’s ongoing entitlement to benefits, and had selectively cited, misstated, and ignored relevant evidence in the file. After reviewing our appeal, CIGNA reversed its decision, paid our client her back pay, and reinstated monthly disability payments.
Michael – Sewer-Line Repairer / Plumber – Henderson, Colorado
Meniere’s Disease, Vertigo, Balance Issues
A plumber in Honolulu began having recurrent dizziness and vertigo, sometimes lasting up to three days at a time. His job required him to lift upwards of 100 pounds and frequently climb ladders, so his condition forced him to stop working for fear of serious injury. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employer’s insurance plan. The insurer denied the application for benefits without any additional medical examination.
Shocked at the result of the application and worried about being able to support his newborn daughter, the plumber contacted Fields Law to help mount a strong appeal. Fields Law Firm attorneys obtained updated reports from our client’s doctors to strengthen the evidence of disability. We made sure the reports referenced the lifting capacity and work duties that our client’s employment required.
Fields Law attorneys and support staff gave our client updates at every step of the process. Ultimately, the appeal was approved and our client was awarded back-pay and continued benefits. He was relived to be able to focus on his treatment and caring for his daughter rather than worrying about his income.
Patricia – Senior Pricing Analyst – Mesa, Arizona
Stroke
After suffering a stroke, a young woman from Arizona was left mildly paralyzed on her let side. As a result, she was unable to perform her job as an analyst for Honeywell. Her Long Term Disability insurer initially accepted her claim and paid benefits for two years. The definition of disabled under her policy later changed and the insurer denied her benefits claiming that she did not meet the new definition of disability.
Clearly unable to work and unsure of what to do, she reached out to Fields Law. Her attorney at Fields Law started by reviewing the entire file from the insurance company and creating a plan for the appeal. After his review, he updated medical records and obtained statements from multiple doctors that the client had treated with. With the updated records and reports, he drafted an appeal which outlined how her condition prevented her from working. The insurance company reversed its decision and reinstated the client’s monthly benefits.
