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.
Mike – Maintenance Mechanic – Marceline, Missouri
Epilepsy
A maintenance mechanic from Missouri left work when he lost control of his epilepsy and he began experiencing increasingly frequent and severe seizures. He was unable to keep up with his heavy work as a maintenance mechanic. He submitted a claim to for disability benefits which was approved and paid for two years. However, when the definition of disability changed from the “Own Occupation” standard to the “Any Occupation” standard, New York Life stated he could work at several desk jobs.
He reached out to Fields Law Firm for assistance with the denial of his claim. We assisted our client in appealing the denial decision and proved conclusively that he was unable to work due to uncontrolled epilepsy. New York Life reinstated his claim and paid all outstanding benefits.
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.