Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Illlinois

A securities analyst from Illinois began having bouts of dizziness and vertigo. She would experience intense migraines as well. Her doctor diagnosed her with Meniere’s Disease, an inner ear condition, and recommended she stop working. Liberty Mutual approved an application for Long Term Disability benefits but, after paying seven months of benefits, the payments stopped because the insurer said she no longer fit their definition of disabled.

Shocked at the decision and still unable to work, she called Fields Law for help appealing the decision. Our support team gathered all of our client’s treatment records and obtained the claim file from Liberty Mutual. The Fields Law attorneys reviewed the records and ordered additional narrative reports from our client’s treating physicians that supported her claim. When the evidence was strengthened, our attorneys sent the insurance company a strong appeal that underscored the medical records and applicable law. Liberty Mutual overturned the denial decision, paid our client a lump-sum for backpay, and granted ongoing benefits.

Prior to her disabilities of low back, hip and shoulder pain, and fibromyalgia, a woman worked as a Jewel Scan Coordinator, which was a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She was approved for, and received, Short Term Disability benefits through the maximum period of time allowed. She then applied for Long Term Disability benefits due to her continuing disabling conditions. However, by the means of an impersonal letter, The Standard denied her claim for Long Term Disability benefits alleging that her medical documentation did not contain limitations and restrictions of such a severity to prevent her from performing the material duties of a Jewel Scan Coordinator.

Justifiably upset with this determination, she contacted Fields Law Firm to assist her in appealing this unfavorable decision. The Fields Law team was able to coordinate and compile all her medical records, written comments, documents, and other records that supported her disability claim. The Fields Law attorneys submitted her appeal demanding that The Standard perform a full and fair review, as mandated under federal law. After a very brief review,The Standard agreed and reversed its previous denial and began payment of her benefits immediately.

In Illinois a salesman suffered massive, full thickness rotator cuff tears to both shoulders, and subsequently developed chronic regional pain syndrome. He attempted to return to work but this proved unsuccessful and his doctors recommended additional surgeries.

He applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employer’s insurance. The insurer reviewed the claim and eventually denied it. They could not conclusively determine if he remained covered under the policy after his failed attempt to return to work. Also, they were not convinced his conditions precluded him from performing his Own Occupation. Soon after the claim was denied, the salesman went back into the hospital for yet another surgery.

Fortunately, he found Fields Law and reached out for help fighting this decision. His attorney built an appeal that conclusively established our client indeed remained covered under the policy. Furthermore, due to his substantial condition, it was impossible for him to perform not only his Own Occupation but also any other gainful occupation. After reviewing our appeal, the insurer finally reversed its denial, paid our client his back pay and commenced monthly payments.