Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against MetLife

A consultant from Virginia was diagnosed with a variety of heart problems after an intense bout of dizzy spells. The lightheadedness and chronic fatigue made work impossible. He applied for Long Term Disability through his employer’s insurance plan and was initially approved for benefits. But after several months Metlife stopped paying because they said he could return to work.

He was appalled at the decision by the insurance company and worried about his lost income. He called Fields Law for help. Our team obtained the claim file from Metlife and found that they made errors when they reviewed the medical evidence. The Fields Law attorneys drafted a strong appeal to Metlife based on the errors of the insurer and updated medical records. Metlife changed their decision and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits.

A painter from Utah had developed sever spinal degeneration over his long career. Just a decade from retirement, his chronic pain and immobility reached a point where he was unable to continue working. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits but was denied by the insurer. Metlife claimed that his medical records did not support a severity of symptoms that would preclude him from returning to work as a painter.

Knowing he needed help, he retained Fields Law to appeal the denial. The Fields Law team began gathering updated medical records from all of his providers. Our attorneys wrote to his physicians and were able to get one to write a supportive narrative and another to complete a functional capacity assessment. The Fields Law team submitted the appeal with five exhibits totaling over two hundred pages. Upon consideration of the appeal, Metlife quickly overturned their prior denial, issued a check for back payments and reinstated our client’s ongoing future benefits.

In Texas, a man was employed at a telephone company where he worked for 10 years as a Journey Lineman. As part of his job, he climbed poles and worked close to dangerous electrical wires. Sadly, one day he witnessed a fellow employee die from electrocution, which resulted in his developing post-traumatic stress disorder. Initially, his disability carrier awarded him Short Term Disability, but then denied his application for Long Term Disability claiming lack of medical proof of disability.

He hired Fields Law, who recommended he undergo a neuropsychological evaluation. The evaluation unequivocally showed he suffered from a debilitating case of PTSD and could not work. The attorneys at Fields Law filed an appeal which resulted in a reversal of the disability carrier’s denial. Our client hopes to return to work soon, after undergoing much needed therapy, but is grateful for the disability payments to help him through this very difficult time.