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.
Joy – Global Program Manager – Boise, Idaho
Migraine Headaches, Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, Meniere’s Disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
A global program manager for a major computer company in Idaho developed migraine headaches, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, Meniere’s Disease, and mast cell activation syndrome. Unable to continue working, she applied for Long Term Disability benefits from Matrix Absence Management. She was approved and remained on claim for nearly a decade before the insurer terminated her benefits, claiming she could now return to some other kind of work.
Needing help, she retained Fields Law. The Fields team gathered her updated medical records and letters of support from her physicians, and they drafted an appeal and addressed each point the insurer raised. Based on the appeal, Matrix Absence Management overturned their prior termination of our client’s benefits. They issued a check for backpay and once again began issuing monthly benefits.
Travis – Service Maintenance Mechanic – Rock Springs, Wyoming
Crush Injury to Left Foot, Left Leg Resulting in CRPS/RSD
A maintenance mechanic suffered a crush injury to his left foot and leg while working. He received benefits from his employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurer, but he was also eligible for Long Term Disability benefits. His insurer paid him benefits for approximately two and a half years.
During the time he was receiving benefits, he was diagnosed with CRPS/RSD of the left ankle. Instead of recognizing the seriousness and the progressive nature of the ankle injury, Aetna discontinued his benefits out of the blue, indicating he should be able to return to work as a Pump Service Supervisor or a Pager, two jobs that he had never previously performed.
He turned to Fields Law Firm for help appealing the denial decision. Our team went through the insurer’s file, citing errors in the report of the Independent Medical Examiner, the examiner whose report Aetna relied on in discontinuing our client’s benefits. Our attorneys crafted a strong appeal. A few weeks after submitting the appeal, Aetna reversed their prior denial of benefits and paid our client his backpay and his monthly benefits.
Glenda – Program Coordinator – Fairmont, West Virginia
Small Cell Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy, Double Vision, Brain Fog, Insomnia, Chronic Pain, Mobility Difficulties, Imbalance Issues
A Program Coordinator for a crime center in West Virginia developed a progressive and complex case of Small Cell Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy in all four of her extremities. Eventually, she was forced to leave work due to her symptoms which included perpetual Brain Fog, Double Vision, Insomnia, Severe Mobility Issues and Chronic Pain. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits and was approved. She remained on benefits for five months until the insurer cut them off with a denial letter.
CIGNA based their decision on a letter they had sent to one of her physicians, asking if she could return to work. He had said she could. The woman signed up with Fields Law to pursue her case against the insurance company. Our attorneys quickly determined that the doctor in question was not her primary treating doctor, but a specialist who didn’t have an accurate picture of the full spectrum of her conditions. Furthermore, our lawyers discovered that CIGNA then had sent a wholly different letter to her primary physician attempting to get him to agree with the first doctor’s opinion.
Our attorneys quickly wrote to her doctors to straighten things out and confirm their opinions that our client was unable to work. Our team also gathered all of the recent medical records to support the appeal our attorneys were drafting. The Fields Law attorneys submitted a lengthy appeal to CIGNA, supported by numerous exhibits. The insurer considered the appeal and soon overturned their prior denial decision. They then paid out back benefits and reinstated future benefits going forward.
