Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Liberty Mutual
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 Liberty Mutual.
Donald – Manufacturing Operator – Raleigh, North Carolina
Osteoarthritis of Right Hand and Lower Back, Heart Disease
Just three years away from retirement, a North Carolina man had spent nearly his entire career working in manufacturing. His job required him to stand on his feet all day, running machinery and lifting equipment. After decades of wear and tear, his body eventually hurt too much to continue working. His doctors diagnosed him with osteoarthritis of the hand and lower back, and told him he had also developed heart issues. Knowing his conditions were serious, the man applied for and was granted Social Security Disability benefits.
He also applied for Long Term Disability benefits from his insurance. However, his application was denied by the insurer because he allegedly did not meet the definition of “disabled” and was capable of performing the essential duties of his old job. In their denial, the insurer even admitted to reading the Social Security Administration’s grant of benefits, but still refused to acknowledge his need for Long Term Disability benefits.
The man knew he needed help appealing the denial of his benefits. He contacted Fields Law, and our team of attorneys immediately began building his case. We worked with his physicians to produce supporting medical documentation, and wrote a very strong appeal of the denial. Considering our arguments, the insurer had no choice but to reverse their prior decision and approve our client’s appeal. Our client soon had his benefits reinstated, and also received a check for back pay.
Sterling – Retail Merchandiser – Clay, New York
Chronic Pain, Neuropathy, Low Back Pain, Radiculopathy
A Retail Merchandiser from New York suffered from severe back pain, radiculopathy, and neuropathy in both feet. His pain was so intense that powerful pain killers did not provide relief. He was forced to stop working. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his insurer at work but the insurance company denied his application, saying that he could return to his job.
Worried about his lost income, and still immobilized by his condition, he called Fields Law for help. Our team obtained the claim file from Liberty Mutual and found that they were misinterpreting our client’s physical capabilities. We requested clarification from our client’s doctors and filed a strong appeal to Liberty Mutual based on their opinions. The insurance company changed their decision and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits. He is pleased with the help that Fields Law provided and is happy to be done fighting Librety Mutual.
Ellen – Payroll Service Manager – Las Vegas, Nevada
Diabetes, Charcot Arthropathy, Neuropathic Foot Ulceration, Osteoarthritis, Morbid Obesity, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension
A Payroll Service Manager very much enjoyed her work and was a valued employee prior to becoming disabled. She worked at call center as a supervisor, and was responsible for day to day supervision of staff, responding to inquiries ranging from routine to complex, resolving concerns from internal and external customers regarding payroll products and tax services. However, she was unable to perform these material duties because she suffered from diabetes, Charcot arthropathy, neuropathic foot ulceration, osteoarthritis, morbid obesity, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, which were all well-documented in her records.
She initially received Short Term Disability benefits but after a few months, she was sent a letter explaining that benefits would stop because Liberty Mutual believed she could go back to work as a Payroll Service Manager. After this determination, she applied for Long Term Disability benefits, which were denied because her job was a sedentary occupation. Liberty Mutual believed she could perform the main job duties of her own occupation.
Understandably upset with these determinations, she called Fields Law Firm for help appealing these denial decisions. The attorneys at Fields Law contacted our client’s doctors to compile reports of all of her symptoms and treatments and submitted a comprehensive appeal. Liberty Mutual reviewed the appeal Fields Law submitted, and determined it was wrong in denying her the Long Term Disability benefits that she rightly deserved, and reversed its denial of benefits.
