Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Sedgwick

After a delivery driver from North Carolina had spinal fusion surgery, he tried to return to work but the pain was too great. He exhausted his Short Term Disability benefits and applied for Long Term Disability benefits. Despite a report from his doctor that his condition was worsening, Sedgwick denied his claim for Long Term Disability benefits.

Frustrated and scared that his income was in jeopardy, he contacted Fields Law Firm for help with an appeal. The Fields Law attorneys compared doctors’ recommendations to our client’s job description. Our client’s doctors were recommending that he should not lift more than ten pounds, but his job description said he was required to lift more than fifty pounds regularly. Additionally, Sedgwick ignored the doctor who advised that our client’s condition was worsening. The Fields Law attorneys compiled medical evidence and submitted an appeal. Sedgwick ultimately overturned their decision and our client was awarded his monthly Long Term Disability benefits.

A registered nurse from Louisiana started having uncontrollable drowsiness. He was consistently getting seven hours of sleep but the symptoms persisted. He tried reducing his hours at work and taking various medications but nothing helped. He was forced to stop working. He applied for Short Term Disability benefits through his employer but was denied because, despite strong records from his neurologist, the insurance company said he did not have a specific test performed.

Upset and worried about his lost income, he called Fields Law for help. Our attorneys gathered the claim file from the insurance company and medical records from our client’s doctors. The Fields Law attorneys asked one of our client’s doctors for a summary of their findings and the doctor provided a letter saying the narcolepsy was lifelong and disabling. With strong supporting evidence, our attorneys filed an appeal to the insurer and the decision was overturned. Our client received a lump sum for Short Term benefits and is now working with Fields Law on a Long Term Disability claim. He is pleased with the professional advocacy Fields Law continues to provide.

A Technical Service Assistant was unable to work due to severe back pain that impaired her ability to sit and stand comfortably at work. She submitted a claim for Short Term Disability and was paid benefits for just two weeks before being denied. In the denial letter, Sedgwick stated the medical records failed to show she was disabled. For months prior to leaving work, she had tried everything from a standing desk to pain medications to continue working. She knew, in her current condition, returning to work simply was not possible.

She hired Fields Law to file an appeal of this wrongful denial decision. Our attorneys gathered medical evidence and disability paperwork from our client’s two treating doctors stating that she was unable to perform her work as a technical services assistant. Our attorneys submitted that information along with a legal memorandum arguing our client could not return to work due to her conditions. After a brief review, Sedgwick overturned its decision and reinstated benefits. Our client was able to use the Short Term Disability back payment to continue treatment with her doctors and eventually resume work with her employer.