Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against New York Life
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 New York Life.
James – Field Specialist – Great Falls, Montana
Chronic Knee Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain
A field specialist for an oil company in the oil fields in North Dakota suffered an injury to his knee which prevented him from continuing to working. He later developed chronic and severe back pain due which resulted from his knee injury. Due to a combination of these impairments he was no longer capable of working in any capacity because of his chronic and debilitating pain. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits and was initially approved. New York Life later denied his benefits, but after retaining Fields Law to submit an appeal, the denial was overturned, and benefits were reinstated.
When New York Life denied his benefits a second time, he reached out to Fields Law once again. Our attorneys were able to put together a compelling appeal which articulated why the insurer’s denial was improper. The appeal also included updated medical information which outlined the symptoms that our client dealt with on a daily basis and as well as MRI scans showing his physical impairments. On review, New York Life overturned their denial, made payment to our client of benefits that were past due, and resumed paying his benefits on a monthly basis.
Jeanette – Staffing Specialist – Ham Lake, Minnesota
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Life-threatening Pulmonary Emboli
A staffing specialist at Allina Hospitals and Clinics had been receiving disability benefits from their insurance company for many years, when she was forced to stop working due to her systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and life-threatening pulmonary emboli. New York Life abruptly discontinued her benefits at a time when her health was continuing to decline. She was very ill, requiring 24-hour home health care, along with IV fluids and tube feedings. Her medical expenses were substantial. She had already appealed the discontinuation once on her own, but New York Life upheld its decision to discontinue benefits.
Fearful for her future and the future of her family, she contacted us at Fields Law Firm and discussed her case with an attorney. Our team determined exactly what was necessary to prove our client was disabled. We collaborated with her doctors to make clear to New York Life the severity of her condition. Because of our work, our client’s benefits were reinstated and she was provided back pay for the time her benefits had been wrongfully cut off.
Samantha – Registered Nurse – Hastings, Minnesota
Rare Pelvic Condition
A registered nurse was forced to leave her job at a hospital because she suffered from a rare pelvic condition that made her unable to work. Her Long Term Disability insurer denied her application for benefits, claiming that there were no “functional tests” in her file that supported her inability to work. She called Fields Law Firm to represent her in appealing the denial.
We were able to spot the errors that New York Life had made in reviewing her case. Given the rarity of her condition, the insurance company should have sent her to a doctor to be examined before it denied her. Our appeal highlighted this failure, along with the fact that New York Life never even talked to any of our client’s treating doctors and did not obtain all of her medical records. By reaching out to our client’s doctors and presenting the medical evidence, we prepared a successful appeal. The former nurse was happy to find out that the appeal was successful and New York Life reversed their denial. She received the benefits she deserved.
