Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Washington
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 Washington.
Sandra – Flight Attendant – Federal Way, Washington
Spinal Stenosis
A Flight Attendant for a regional airline in the Seattle-Tacoma area developed disabling low back pain due to disc degeneration and spinal stenosis leading to an inability to work in her own occupation. She applied for and received long Term Disability benefits from her insurance company. However, she grew tired of constantly filling out paperwork and updating her medical records for her claims manager.
She contacted Fields Law and hired us to represent her in her dealings with her insurer. We assisted our client with paperwork, medical records requests, and securing attending physician statements. After representing our client for just over a year, the insurance company reached out with a potential settlement offer. Our attorneys reviewed the offer and contacted our client to discuss the details. We determined the insurer was undervaluing the claim and were able to negotiate a better deal for our client to settle her claim on a final, and complete basis.
Betsy – Marketing Project Analyst – Port Angeles, Washington
Low Back Pain, Leg Numbness, Depression
A Marketing Project Analyst from Washington was in a serious car accident which caused severe low back pain and leg numbness. Her condition exacerbated depression symptoms as well. She couldn’t stay seated for more than a few minutes without sharp pain, so she was forced to stop working. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits to replace part of her income, but the insurance company denied her application because they said she could still work.
She was concerned about her lost income, so she called Fields Law Firm for help. Our team contacted all our client’s doctors for updated medical records and for reports that specifically spoke to our client’s ability to work. Our attorneys kept our client updated at all steps and drafted a strong appeal to the insurance company based on the updated medical records. The insurance company did not reverse it’s decision and our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court. While prepping for a hearing, our attorneys agreed to mediate the claim with the insurance company, and ultimately Fields Law attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was happy to be done fighting her insurance company and pleased with the diligent advocacy from Fields Law.
Mikael – Engineer – Port Townsend, Washington
Multiple Myeloma
An engineer from Washington who suffered from multiple myeloma was suddenly hospitalized due to side effects from his cancer and was unable to perform any work duties. Unfortunately, the Long Term Disability claim with his insurance company was denied because the insurer asserted his insurance did not become effective as scheduled when our client left work early.
Fields Law filed a lawsuit on our client’s behalf arguing the insurance company abused its discretion in denying benefits and failed to properly interpret the terms and definitions of the plan. After filing this lawsuit our team was able to negotiate a settlement on client’s behalf, without the need for our client to go to court.
