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

An Administrative Assistant was unable to work due to severe back pain, neck pain, and diffuse pain from fibromyalgia that impaired her ability to sit and stand comfortably at work. She submitted a claim for Long Term Disability to her insurer. After nearly two years of paying benefits, Liberty Mutual informed her it would cease payment of benefits under the Any Occupation definition of disability. The denial letter stated she was able to perform sedentary job duties, which was very confusing because Liberty Mutual found her disabled from her own sedentary job as an administrative assistant.

She hired Fields Law Firm to file an appeal of the denial decision. Our attorneys gathered medical evidence and disability paperwork from our client’s treating doctors stating that she was unable to perform any sedentary work. Our attorneys submitted that information along with a legal memorandum arguing our client could not return to work due to her conditions. After a brief review, Liberty Mutual overturned its decision and reinstated benefits. Our client was able to use the benefits to continue treatment with her doctors.

A General Manager at a popular chain restaurant in Illinois became disabled and suffered from a multitude of physical and mental conditions for over 20 years including depression, anxiety, dementia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis. Her medical history was incredibly complex, and her records contained many notes supporting her diagnoses from numerous medical specialists. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits from her insurer, who initially accepted her claim. Just one year later, they abruptly cut off her benefits based on a “peer review” report written by two doctors Liberty Mutual had hired to provide an opinion on her claim. The insurance company disputed the medical opinions of the woman’s treating physicians, and claimed they couldn’t determine whether she was actually disabled.

Not wanting to be denied again, she sought out the disability attorneys at Fields Law. Our legal team immediately began working with her treating physicians to gather supportive medical documentation to build her case. The Fields Law attorneys then began carefully crafting her appeal. We argued that Liberty Mutual had breached their duty to act in the interests of their beneficiaries, claiming our client didn’t meet the definition of “disabled.” Liberty Mutual quickly overturned their denial decision and granted our client benefits and back pay. She soon began receiving benefits again and was finally able to focus on properly treating her conditions.

Due to chronic heart disease and cardiovascular issues, a mechanical support technician from Illinois was forced to stop working. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employee benefits program and was approved. He received monthly benefits for almost five years, but then New York Life suddenly stopped paying him. The insurer said they found jobs that he could perform, so he no longer fit their definition of disabled.

He called Fields Law for help and our team gathered medical records from all of his doctors. Our attorneys reviewed the claim file for any evidence that New York Life missed. When the evidence was strengthened, we submitted an appeal to the insurance company on behalf of our client. New York Life overturned their decision and our client received a lump-sum for backpay and is now receiving ongoing monthly benefits. He is happy to have his income restored and was pleased with the professional advocacy by Fields Law.