Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Principal

A director of sales and account management in North Carolina developed serious health limitations, including bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and fatigue. As symptoms progressed, reduced stamina began to interfere with the high-level performance required in a demanding, client-facing role. After multiple treating physicians determined continued work was no longer feasible, they applied for Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits and initially received approval for several months.

Despite that approval, Principal later denied ongoing Long Term Disability benefits, citing a lack of medical evidence and an alleged failure to meet the policy’s definition of disability. The Fields Law Firm team stepped in to address the denial with a structured appeal strategy, including updated, supportive reports from treating physicians, a corroborating statement from the client’s spouse, and a detailed pain diary documenting day-to-day functional impact at work. With this comprehensive record in place, Principal reversed course and approved ongoing benefits following the appeal.

A Medicare MDS coordinator in Missouri was forced out of work due to multiple sclerosis and related symptoms, including severe pain, fatigue, cognitive decline, and depression. Although benefits were initially approved, Principal later denied coverage and asserted that the medical records no longer supported disability when the policy’s definition of disability changed. Fields Law stepped in to manage the appeal process, organize the evidence, and present a clear, well-supported record that addressed the insurer’s rationale point by point.

The Fields Law attorneys gathered comprehensive medical documentation and secured vocational evidence to clarify how the condition affected real-world work capacity. A detailed vocational report directly contradicted Principal’s position by confirming the individual was disabled from any occupation, not only the prior role. Based on the full record submitted on appeal, benefits were reinstated.

A finance department coordinator in Massachusetts developed fibromyalgia, fatigue, and chronic back pain that ultimately made continued work impossible. Long Term Disability benefits were initially approved and paid for about a year, but Principal later terminated benefits without warning. After an appeal, benefits were reinstated, only to be terminated again the following year.

The Fields Law team reviewed the full medical history and identified that the termination was improper under the policy and supporting medical evidence. Our attorneys moved quickly to prepare a detailed appeal, compiling extensive medical records and securing statements from treating physicians confirming an ongoing inability to work. With the appeal submitted and supported by clear documentation, Principal reversed its decision, reinstated monthly benefits, and issued back pay.