Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Connecticut
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 Connecticut.
Rosemarie – Day Care Director – Woodbury, Connecticut
Myalgia, Myofascial Pain, Cervical Spondylosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Fatigue, Hodgkin Lymphoma
A Day Care Director became disabled with myalgia, myofascial pain, cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, fatigue, and Hodgkin lymphoma. She elected to apply for Long Term Disability benefits as a return to working was not in her imminent future. She was initially approved for Long Term Disability benefits by the insurance carrier. However, the insurance carrier terminated her Long Term Disability benefits, indicating no more benefits were payable because she no longer met the definition of Total Disability.
The Fields Law attorneys were retained to appeal the insurance carrier’s decision to terminate her disability benefits. Despite an all-inclusive and comprehensive appeal, the insurance carrier decided to continue to uphold its prior decision to terminate benefits. Not satisfied with this response, we submitted a second appeal. The insurance carrier was still not convinced and decided to continue to uphold its prior decisions to terminate benefits. Our attorneys knew the insurance carrier’s decisions to terminate our client’s benefits were riddled with federal law violations and decided to file a lawsuit in federal court to object to the insurance carrier’s actions.
Just weeks after filing the lawsuit, our attorneys were contacted by the legal counsel for the insurance carrier and informed that they wanted to resolve the case quickly and amicably. After some persuasive negotiations, the case settled, and our client received a nice resolution.
Kathryn – University Clerk – Wallingford, Connecticut
Herniated Discs, Sciatica
An office clerk at Yale University experienced serious pain due to sciatica and herniated discs in her back. Due to her condition, she was unable to continue in her job and was awarded Long Term Disability benefits through her insurer. After receiving benefits for two years, the insurance company sent a letter informing her that she no longer met their definition of disability. The insurance company based this decision on an opinion from a doctor who she had never seen. She appealed the decision on her own, and the insurance company repeatedly delayed the appeal process before denying benefits again.
Upset and anxious about the sudden loss of income, she contacted Fields Law to assist in contesting the decision from the insurance company. Our attorneys examined the medical records and found that nothing had changed with our client’s diagnosis. The doctor hired by the insurance company made his decision without considering the strong medical evidence that our client was disabled and unable to work.
The Fields Law team filed suit against the insurance company. During preparations for trial, we negotiated a settlement for our client, who was grateful for the resolution of the case and happy to enjoy the settlement check.
Patrick – Medical Lab Technician – Fairfield, Connecticut
Back Pain, Lumbar Radiculopathy, Spondylosis
A medical laboratory technician from Connecticut slipped and fell at work, seriously exacerbating a previous back injury. He underwent discectomy and fusion surgery, but still experienced severe back pain and numbness in his legs. He was forced to stop working due to his symptoms. He received Long Term Disability benefits through his insurance at work for two years. Then, suddenly, the insurer stopped the payments and said that he no longer fit the definition of disabled in the policy.
Without the disability payments, his monthly income would be eliminated. He called Fields Law for help. Our team immediately requested medical records from all our client’s doctors. The Fields Law attorneys ordered updated narrative reports which highlighted our client’s condition. With the evidence strengthened, our attorneys submitted a strong appeal to the insurance company.
Unfortunately, the insurer did not change their mind, but our attorneys were not discouraged and filed a lawsuit in federal court. During preparation for arguments before a judge, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was pleased with the settlement and relieved to be done fighting the insurance company.
