Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Michigan
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 and lawsuit case wins in Michigan.
Marion – Laser Etch Operator – Ypsilanti, Michigan
Fibromyalgia
A machine operator worked for several years prior to developing fibromyalgia. She submitted a claim to her Long Term Disability insurance carrier. The carrier denied her claim from the outset, stating she did not have any restrictions and limitations. She found Fields Law Firm online to appeal the insurer’s decision. Our attorneys secured medical evidence in the form of a narrative report from the client’s treating rheumatologist and submitted the appeal.
However, the insurer denied the appeal after it referred our client to an independent medical examination. Unsurprisingly, the insurance company’s doctor stated our client was fit to return to work and did not have any restrictions or limitations. Our attorneys filed a lawsuit against the insurance carrier alleging a failure to properly consider the medical evidence in the file and improper reliance on the independent medical examination. After several rounds of negotiations with the insurance carrier’s representative, we settled our client’s case on very favorable terms.
Randy – Cable Technician – Standish, Michigan
Neck Injury, Bad Shoulders, Back Problems, Migraines
A cable installer from Michigan was hit head-on in his work truck and sustained shoulder and neck injuries. He took time off work and went back to school to get certified as an electrician. His shoulder and neck issues flared up again due to repetitive work activity and he was forced to stop working. His insurer constantly hassled him for additional documentation and took him off benefits twice saying he had not sufficiently proven his disability.
After an unsuccessful appeal of his insurer’s decision to stop paying, he called Fields Law for help. Our team gathered all of our client’s medical records. Our attorneys reviewed the medical records and the notes from the insurer and found that our client had been wrongfully denied benefits. We filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client’s rights. During preparation for a hearing, the Fields Law attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was happy to be through fighting the insurance company.
Shannon – Admission Clerk – Ludington, Michigan
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Back Pain
An admission clerk from Michigan was suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic back pain. She was taken off work by her treating doctors and she applied for Long Term Disability benefits through her employer’s disability plan. The insurance company denied her claim alleging our client’s occupation required only minimal lifting and the ability to sit most of the day with occasional standing.
After being denied, she turned to Fields Law Firm for help. We filed an appeal on her behalf pointing out that the insurer has improperly rated our client’s occupation as sedentary when it required a greater physical functional ability, and that the insurer had failed to properly consider and credit the opinions of the treating doctors. The insurer refused to change its position and we filed a lawsuit on our client’s behalf. After initiating the lawsuit, our team was able to negotiate a settlement resolving this claim without our client having to go to court.
