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.
Virginia – Respiratory Therapist – Edmond, Oklahoma
Complications from Broken Leg, Arthritis, Back Pain
A respiratory therapist from Oklahoma broke her leg. She healed from the break, but her arthritis eventually caused severe leg and knee pain. After healing from the initial injury, she pursued a conservative course of treatment to manage her symptoms and avoid surgery. Unfortunately, the pain was too much, and she underwent a recommended invasive knee surgery. Recovery from the surgery was nearly nonexistent and her symptoms caused her to miss work. She received Long Term Disability benefits for almost three years until the insurance company suddenly cut off her payments. They claimed that she was able to return to work.
Shocked by the insurance company’s decision, she called Fields Law for help. Our team contacted our new client’s doctors and obtained updated medical records to ensure we had all the available evidence on our side. Teh Fields Law attorneys scoured the records and discovered the insurance company discounted important records from our client’s doctors. We drafted a strong appeal, attaching the records to point out the insurance company’s error, including the legal arguments supporting our position. The insurance company overturned their previous decision and our client received a lump-sum check for back-pay and began receiving ongoing monthly benefits. She was pleased with the hard work by the Fields Law team on her behalf.
Richard – Oil Pump Operator – Orlando, Oklahoma
Back Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease, Radiculopathy
An oil field worker from Oklahoma injured his back and could not sit or stand for any amount of time without pain, so work became impossible. He was approved for Social Security Disability benefits, but was denied for Long Term Disability payments through his insurer at work because he apparently did not fit their definition of disabled.
Confused about the decision, and worried about his income, he called Fields Law for help. Our team contacted all of our client’s treating doctors for updated medical records. Our attorneys filed a preliminary appeal based on the records but unfortunately the insurance company did not change its mind. Our team then hired a vocational specialist to write a special report for our client, highlighting his inability to work.
After reviewing the report, the insurance company changed their mind and issued ongoing benefits and a lump-sum for back pay. After two years of fighting, our client finally restored his income. He was pleased with the result, and happy with the persistent advocacy from Fields Law.
John – HVAC Technician – Brook Park, Ohio
Heart Attack, Triple Bypass Surgery, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath
An Ohio HVAC technician had a heart attack. He underwent triple bypass surgery, and experienced chest pain and shortness of breath. His doctors advised that he needed to keep physical exertion as low as possible. He was approved for Short Term Disability benefits at work, but after a couple of months the payments stopped. CIGNA said he was no longer disabled even though his doctor said he could not return to work.
Upset that CIGNA was ignoring his symptoms, he contacted Fields Law for help. Our attorneys contacted our client’s treating physicians and obtained the claim file from the insurance company. The Fields Law attorneys helped our client apply for Long Term Disability benefits while appealing the decision for the Short Term Disability benefits. The Long Term application was initially denied, but the Fields Law attorneys supplemented the claim with additional medical records and recommendations.
Ultimately, both the Long Term and Short Term Disability claims were approved. Our client received a generous lump-sum for back-pay and now receives monthly benefits. He was impressed with the diligent advocacy from Fields Law, and is relieved to have his monthly income restored.
