Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against The Hartford
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 The Hartford.
Debra – Chemical Dependency Case Manager – Marcus, Texas
COPD, Chronic Pain
A Chemical Dependency Case Manager in the Pacific Northwest developed COPD and orthopedic issues in the neck, low back, and hips. She left work and applied for disability benefits. She was approved and The Hartford paid the claim for several years. She then decided to move to Austin, Texas because her pain levels were more manageable in warmer weather. While she was working on establishing relationships with her new treating providers in Texas, The Hartford seized its opportunity to deny benefits.
Fields Law Firm assisted by appealing the determination on her behalf. We ordered updated medical records and requested support from our client’s new doctors. The updated information was submitted to The Hartford and after a brief review, her benefits were successfully reinstated.
Wanda – Purchasing Agent – Rhome, Texas
Chronic Back Pain, Ischemic Heart Disease
A purchasing agent for a steel company in Texas suffered from debilitating pain caused by sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease. She also suffered from ischemic heart disease. As a result, she was unable to perform her job. Her Long Term Disability insurer initially approved the claim and paid benefits for two years. The Hartford later denied the claim on the assertion that they had identified occupations she could perform and was therefore no longer disabled under her policy.
Unable to work and not knowing what she was supposed to do, she found the attorneys at Fields Law. Our team began by reviewing all of the records The Hartford had and getting updated records to provide. We sent her for testing, which objectively showed she did not have the ability to perform any type of work. We also obtained a report from our client’s treating doctor which outlined her conditions. On appeal, The Hartford reversed their decision and reinstated the payment of monthly benefits. Our client felt an incredible sense of relief knowing that she had an income on which to support herself moving forward.
Sheila – Medical Administrator – Dayton, Ohio
Pulmonary Embolism, Chest Pain, Fatigue
An administrator in a medical clinic began experiencing chest pain and, after numerous tests, doctors concluded she had suffered a pulmonary embolism. Her job required sitting at a desk for hours at a time. Her doctors advised that sitting for extended periods put her at risk for additional blood clots. She was forced to stop working. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits from her insurer, but was denied because she did not fit the insurance company’s definition of disabled.
Shocked at the decision, and concerened about losing her income, she contacted Fields Law for help. The Fields Law attorneys discovered that the insurance company misinterpreted the recommendation of our client’s primary doctor, who said our client’s condition was too serious to return to work. Our attorneys highlighted this error in the appeal, and strengthened the record with updated medical records. Ultimately, the insurer overturned their decision and granted back-pay and ongoing benefits for our client. With her monthly disability award, she looked forward to continuing her treatment and being able to support herself.
