Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Texas
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 Texas.
Teresa – Registered Nurse – Bedford, Texas
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression, Anxiety
A nurse became disabled after developing severe depression and anxiety stemming from a personal tragedy. She struggled to even get out of bed for work in the mornings. She knew that she was unable to take care of herself, let alone sick patients. Aetna initially paid benefits solely on the basis of mental health, though the woman also suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis.
After the 24-month mental health limitation period in the policy had passed, Aetna denied Long Term Disability benefits. They claimed her physical conditions were insufficient to prevent her from working a sedentary job. She felt hopeless and originally decided not to pursue the case. However, at the advice of her Social Security Disability attorney, she decided to hire a lawyer to file the appeal on her behalf.
Just two weeks before the deadline for filing, she hired Fields Law to file an appeal on her behalf. Our attorneys immediately rush-requested medical records and narrative reports from her treating physicians. Along with the records and reports, we submitted a lengthy memorandum containing legal and factual arguments supporting her entitlement to benefits. Aetna reversed its decision to deny benefits and reinstated our client’s claim.
Linda – Medical Secretary – Humble, Texas
Multiple Fractures Including Radius, Scapula, Tibial Plateau, Clavicle, Ribs, Tibia, and Cerebral Hemorrhage
A Medical Secretary from Texas was forced to stop working as a result of multiple fractures sustained in a pedestrian/motor vehicle accident. She suffered multiple fractures including radius, scapula, tibial plateau, clavicle, ribs, tibia, as well as a cerebral hemorrhage. Two years after the accident, some of her tibial fractures remained unhealed. Nonetheless, the insurance company terminated her benefits after twenty four months alleging she could return to her previous occupation as a Medical Secretary.
She reached out to the team at Fields Law Firm to assist with her appeal of the insurance company’s decision to terminate benefits. Our attorneys worked with her primary care physician and pain management doctor to obtain supportive narrative reports addressing the physical restrictions and limitations that would not allow her to perform any occupation with the required persistence and pace needed for full-time employment. In addition, our attorneys obtained updated medical records and put together a strong appeal that demanded Lincoln Financial provide a full and fair review of her claim.
In particular, Fields Law attorneys combed through the insurance company’s administrative record and found the initial medical record review performed by one of Lincoln Financial’s own medical staff that stated our client would not be able to return to work and that a buyout of her claim should be considered. When Lincoln Financial received the appeal, along with supporting medical records and narrative reports, they had no choice but to reverse its previous denial and reinstate our client’s Long Term Disability benefits.
Rudy – Water Transfer Operator – El Paso, Texas
Bilateral Knee Pain, Low Back Pain
The tough decision of leaving work due to a disability had to be made by a Water Transfer Operator in El Paso, Texas. He had severe bilateral arthritis in his knees and excruciating low back pain with nerve involvement. He had worked there for many years prior to this disability. Thinking he was covered, he submitted a claim to his Long Term Disability insurance carrier. The insurer agreed the man was unable to handle the machinery and heavy lifting that his job required. However, two years into the claim the insurer denied benefits.
The definition of disability in his policy had changed to consider whether he could do any jobs in the national economy. The insurance company claimed the man could do several clerical and office jobs, even though he had zero experience in those roles. After hiring Fields Law, the attorneys at our firm proceeded to contest the denial. Our attorneys requested reports and letters from our client’s physicians. Using the favorable evidence from our client’s doctors, our attorneys wrote detailed arguments citing statutory and legal authority. After reviewing the appeal, his insurer reinstated benefits.
