Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Various Insurers
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 various insurers.
Bernard – Electrical Technician – Spotsylvania, Virginia
Glioblastoma
Being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an Electrical Technician from Virginia developed symptoms that ultimately got him removed from work by his treating doctors. He applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employer’s plan with Voya administered by ReliaStar. Regrettably, Voya denied his claim for benefits asserting that treatment received prior to applying for benefits barred his claim as pre-existing.
He reached out to Fields Law Firm for help fighting this denial. Our attorneys examined all of our client’s medical records and all of the documentation utilized by Voya in denying benefits. Next, our team drafted an appeal outlining that the pre-existing condition limitation did not apply to this case based upon the objective evidence contained within the file and the opinions of the treating doctors.
Unfortunately, prior to submitting this claim, our client passed away from his debilitating Glioblastoma. Our attorneys submitted the appeal and argued that our client’s family was entitled to the Survivor Benefit available under the relevant Policy in addition to our client’s back pay for wrongly denying this claim. After receiving and reviewing our appeal, Voya paid our client’s family his back pay and the Survivor Benefit.
Austin – Insurance Manager – Murray, Utah
Dyspnea with Exertion, Fibromyalgia, Mitochondrial Disorder
An Insurance Manager from Utah suffered from Dyspnea with Exertion, Fibromyalgia, and Mitochondrial Disorder. He was taken off work by his doctors as they attempted to clarify his diagnoses and treat his many disabling symptoms. His insurer initially paid his Short Term Disability benefits but when the doctors could not find a definitive cause for his symptoms Life Map discontinued benefits.
Fields Law built a multifaceted plan to win his appeal. Our attorneys secured narrative reports from multiple treating physicians documenting the severity of our client’s symptoms and their impact on his day to day life. We successfully argued that Life Map had ignored relevant evidence already provided and that its hired medical record reviewer selectively cited and misstated the opinions of our client’s treating doctors. After reviewing our appeal Life Map reversed its decision, paid our client’s back benefits, and commenced payment of Long Term Disability benefits.
Dorota – Sales and Marketing Representative – Maspeth, New York
Anxiety, IBS, Neuropathy, Migraines, Degenerative Disc Disorder
A sales and marketing representative from New York began experiencing anxiety and migraines. The medication prescribed to combat her anxiety gave her severe gastrointestinal distress which only exacerbated her anxiety. Combined with chronic back pain, her conditions made it impossible to work. Her insurer approved her for Long Term Disability benefits initially, but then stopped payments after seven months. Anthem Life said she could return to work because she was no longer disabled.
Worried about her lost income, she called Fields Law Firm for help. We gathered all our client’s medical records and our attorneys examined them closely. It turned out the insurance company mis-analyzed the cumulative effect of our client’s ailments and did not grasp the full impact of our client’s condition. Our attorneys filed an appeal to Anthem Life, and the insurer reversed the denial. Our client received a lump-sum check for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits. She is pleased to be done fighting her insurer, and is happy with the representation from Fields Law Firm.
