Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against MetLife
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 MetLife.
Sharon – Clerical Document Processor – Detroit, Michigan
Lumbar Spondylosis, Sciatica, CTS, COPD
A Clerical Document Processor from Michigan developed severe low back pain over the course of her career. Eventually forced out of work due to her pain, she applied for Long Term Disability benefits. She was initially approved by the insurer and remained on claim for eight months before Metlife abruptly terminated her benefits.
Seeking help to fight the denial, she retained Fields Law Firm. Our attorneys began assembling a strong appeal of her benefit denial. We gathered extensive updated medical records and wrote to her providers, securing a functional capacity evaluation from her primary care physician. In the appeal, our attorneys argued that Metlife had intentionally misconstrued her medical records in an effort to support their pre-determined position to deny benefits. Upon receiving the appeal and reconsidering the case, Metlife was forced to overturn their prior denial and reinstate Long Term Disability benefits.
Reginald – Senior Plant Technician Operator – Oxon Hill, Maryland
Stroke Symptoms, Drop Foot
A Technical Operator worked for a power company in Maryland for many years. His job involved climbing up and down scaffolding, working on large and complicated machinery, and significant amounts of walking. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke and began experiencing numbness and tingling in his lower extremities. He eventually was diagnosed with Drop Foot, or total foot numbness. No longer able to climb or walk for any appreciable distance, he was forced to stop working.
He applied for benefits from his Long Term Disability carrier, and was initially approved. When he was released to light-duty work by his physician, his employer couldn’t accommodate his ongoing restrictions and he remained disabled. On these grounds, Metlife terminated benefits, claiming his medical records did not support further functional limitations. He tried appealing the insurer’s decision on his own, but they denied his motion. He remained employed by the power company, but was not allowed to return to work. He felt like he had run out of options.
Knowing he needed help, he turned to Fields Law. Our team of attorneys and legal professionals acquired pertinent medical records, which Metlife claimed not to have. Our attorneys gathered supporting expert opinion from our client’s medical team. Fields Law made several arguments in the appeal, supported by detailed exhibits. The appeal was submitted well before Metlife’s deadline and they soon overturned their prior decision. Our client’s benefits were reinstated and he received a check for back-pay.
Donna – Administrative Assistant – Leonardtown, Maryland
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Barrett’s Disease, Fibromyalgia, Back Pain, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Insomnia
An Administrative Assistant from Maryland became disabled, and was no longer able to work. She applied for and was approved for Short Term Disability benefits, which ran from her date of disability through the exhaustion of the benefits. After the expiration of her Short Term Disability benefits, she became eligible for Long Term Disability benefits from her employer’s disability carrier. Metlife, unfortunately, denied her application for Long Term Disability benefits. In the denial letter, it concluded that she did not meet the definition of disability in their policy.
She appealed this decision on her own, but she was denied. Metlife indicated that the medical information they had did not support her inability to perform her Own Occupation due to her physiological and/or psychological conditions.
Upset with the sudden loss of income, she contacted Fields Law Firm to help her appeal the denial again. The attorneys at Fields Law collected medical records and reports from her doctors that substantiated her claim for Long Term Disability benefits. We submitted a second appeal, and without hesitation, Metlife approved her Long Term Disability claim for benefits, and retroactively paid her benefits along with continuing to pay her monthly.
