Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against The Standard
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 Standard.
Stanley – Delivery Driver – St. Cloud, Minnesota
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Degenerative Disc Disease
A delivery driver from Minnesota was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Due to his condition, standing or sitting for long periods of time became very painful and he was unable to work. He applied for disability benefits with his insurance company and was initially approved. After only twelve months, The Standard sent him a letter saying that he was not disabled from Any Occupation, so his benefits would stop.
Frightened that his monthly income was taken from him, he called Fields Law Firm. Our attorneys discovered that The Standard classified our client’s condition as an other limited condition, which limited coverage to only twelve months. Our attorneys compiled strong medical evidence and determined that The Standard had categorized our client’s condition incorrectly. We filed a convincing appeal which got the denial decision reversed, continuing our client’s monthly benefits and paying back-pay. Our client was pleased with the professionalism of Fields Law, and relieved to have his monthly benefits reinstated.
Steven – Financial Planner – Overland Park, Kansas
Heart Attack, Mitral Valve Regurgitation, Angina, Coronary Artery Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension
A Financial Planner from Kansas became incapable of working due to a heart attack. He had a Long Term Disability policy through a professional association, so he applied for benefits through The Standard. His Long Term Disability benefits were originally denied based on the opinion of a doctor who had never met our client, and the mistaken assertion that his job was sedentary in nature.
The attorneys at Fields Law Firm thoroughly analyzed the basis for The Standard’s denial. We built medical support with updated medical records and statements of support from our client’s doctor. We also recognized that our client needed a truly independent vocational assessment of his job and how his medical conditions impacted his job duties. We had a vocational report commissioned that showed the impossibility of our client fulfilling his work duties with his medically supported restrictions and limitations. The overwhelming evidence Fields Law Firm put together in our client’s appeal could not be refuted by The Standard, and they had to begin paying Long Term Disability benefits.
Dona – Jewel Scan Coordinator – Crest Hill, Illinois
Low Back, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Fibromyalgia
Prior to her disabilities of low back, hip and shoulder pain, and fibromyalgia, a woman worked as a Jewel Scan Coordinator, which was a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She was approved for, and received, Short Term Disability benefits through the maximum period of time allowed. She then applied for Long Term Disability benefits due to her continuing disabling conditions. However, by the means of an impersonal letter, The Standard denied her claim for Long Term Disability benefits alleging that her medical documentation did not contain limitations and restrictions of such a severity to prevent her from performing the material duties of a Jewel Scan Coordinator.
Justifiably upset with this determination, she contacted Fields Law Firm to assist her in appealing this unfavorable decision. The Fields Law team was able to coordinate and compile all her medical records, written comments, documents, and other records that supported her disability claim. The Fields Law attorneys submitted her appeal demanding that The Standard perform a full and fair review, as mandated under federal law. After a very brief review, The Standard agreed and reversed its previous denial and began payment of her benefits immediately.
