Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in New York

A Repair Technician from New York suffered from osteoarthritis. When his doctors removed him from work, he applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employer’s plan. At first, Aetna approved his claim and paid his benefits. However, when the definition of disabled changed under the policy, requiring him to be disabled from Any Occupation, Aetna denied the claim arguing there were other occupations he could perform.

Concerned, our client turned to Fields Law Firm for help. Our team drafted built an appeal to fight this decision. We reached out to our client’s doctors for specific narratives answering questions aimed at fighting this decision. Additionally, we received an independent vocational assessment pointing out that our client could not, in fact, perform any other occupations in the national economy. After receiving our appeal Aetna reversed its denial, paid our client his back pay and restarted his monthly disability payments.

A disabled software enginee suffered from neuralgia, depression, and severe anxiety and was unable to work. She was initially approved for Long Term Disability benefits, however Prudential discontinued the disability benefits. They said that the woman was able to return to her stressful and demanding job, though it cited absolutely no medical evidence in support of its position.

Knowing she needed some help, she hired Fields Law to handle her appeal. We gathered updated medical records and reports from our client’s treating doctors stating she was unable to perform any kind of work. We submitted a brief arguing Prudential’s review was selective and arbitrary due to the lack of medical evidence supporting its decision. Prudential overturned its decision, stating it agreed our client was completely disabled. She was relieved to hear she would have her income restored.

A Network Communications Technician from New York was in a car accident. Because of the accident, he had two spinal fusions and microfracture surgery on his hip. He also suffered memory issues and trouble concentrating after the accident. He was forced to stop working and received Long Term Disability benefits through his employee benefits plan. The Hartford sent him a letter after seven years of benefits that stated he would no longer receive benefits because he could return to work.

He contacted Fields Law for help. Our team contacted all our client’s treating physicians and obtained a comprehensive medical history. We contacted physicians for additional medical reports supporting our client’s case. Our attorneys reviewed the medical records and drafted a strong appeal to the insurer. The Hartford changed their mind and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits.