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.
Joyce – Specialty Leasing Representative – Gladwin, Michigan
Neuropathy, Fatigue, Heart Conditions, Chronic Pain
A leasing representative from Michigan began suffering from numbness in her extremities, fatigue, and chronic pain after treatments for her heart condition. Her legs were nearly always numb which made working at her job, which required showing customers commercial property, impossible. After being approved for Short Term Disability benefits and receiving Long Term Disability benefits for two years, the insurance company stopped paying because they said she could return to work.
Worried about her lost income, and still struggling with numbness, she called Fields Law Firm for help. Our team obtained her claim file from New York Life and found that they had overlooked key records and never scheduled an in-person examination. The Fields Law attorneys obtained updated opinions from our client’s doctors and drafted a strong appeal to New York Life which pointed out the mistakes in their decision. New York Life changed their decision and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay, and ongoing monthly benefits. She is happy to be through worrying about her disability claim and is glad that she obtained the diligent representation of Fields Law Firm.
Gerald – Machine Operator – Crystal Falls, Michigan
Neuropathy, Diabetes, Lower Back Pain
A machine operator from Michigan began experiencing numbness in his hands and lower back pain. His job required feeding raw materials through heavy machinery. Eventually, his condition became too severe and he was forced to stop work. He was initially approved for Long Term Disability benefits, but after receiving benefits for almost two years, Sun Life Financial sent him a letter indicating that he no longer fit their definition of disabled.
Concerned that his monthly income was in jeopardy, he contacted Fields Law Firm for help. The attorneys at Fields Law closely reviewed the claim file from Sun Life Financial and found two key errors. First, Sun Life Financial’s own expert indicated that no occupations could be identified that our client could perform. Second, they emphasized the fact that our client’s wife owned and operated a family restaurant as evidence that our client could work. The Fields Law attorneys sent a strong appeal which highlighted these errors, and ultimately our client had his benefits reinstated. Our client was relieved to have his monthly income back, and happy to move forward with his life.
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.
