Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in California
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 California.
Kelly – Patient Service Representative – Citrus Heights, California
Bladder Mesh Removal Surgery Complications, Chronic Nerve Damage, Bursitis, Arthritis
A patient service representative in California became disabled after developing chronic nerve damage, bursitis, arthritis, and complications after a bladder mesh removal surgery. Thankfully, she was covered under an employer provided Long Term Disability plan.
She filed an application for Long Term Disability benefits on her own but was denied by her insurer who claimed she did not meet the definition of disabled under her policy. She tried to appeal the decision herself but was again denied by the insurance company. Dispirited, she got the help of a local attorney to file a last-ditch appeal of the decision but was denied one last time.
Feeling like she was out of options, and worried about her future and financial security, she brought on the team of attorneys at Fields Law Firm. Our attorneys filed an application for Social Security Disability benefits on her behalf. Then, we filed a lawsuit against the insurer, refuting their justifications for denial. Our attorneys argued that the insurer had failed to have our client independently examined by a physician and had improperly relied on medical opinions that were biased and unsubstantiated by evidence.
Through numerous court filings, Fields Law fought for our client’s right to receive her Long Term Disability benefits. The insurance company soon had no choice but to come to a settlement. Check in hand, our client was pleased with the lump sum figure. She also soon learned that we also had won her approval for Social Security Disability benefits. Relieved that such a tragic situation had been completely turned around, she was able to relax in financial security.
Brynda – Insurance Representative – Carson, California
Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Bilateral Shoulder Subacromial Impingement, Bilateral Elbow Ulnar Cubital Tunnel, Right Wrist Radial Styloid Tenosynovitis, Cervical Spine Sprain
A California resident formally worked as an insurance representative until her depression, anxiety, shoulder and back conditions became too much and she was forced to stop working. This insurance representative was approved for both Workers’ Compensation and Short Term Disability benefits, which showed she had extensive issues and conditions that prohibited her from working. The insurance company, however, denied her application for Long Term Disability benefits because it believed that the medical files did not support impairment that would prevent her from performing the material and substantial duties of her own occupation.
Upset with the insurer’s decision to deny her benefits, she contacted Fields Law Firm for help appealing the decision. The attorneys at Fields Law contacted our client’s doctors to compile reports of all of her symptoms and treatments. Even after submitting a comprehensive appeal, the insurer issued a decision and determined to uphold their prior determination to deny our client’s Long Term Disability benefits.
Our attorneys immediately filed a lawsuit against the insurance company in federal court to fight for our client. During preparation for trial, the Fields Law attorneys were able to negotiate a generous lump-sum settlement for our client.
Gary – Shipping , Storing Supervisor – Manteca, California
Spondylolisthesis Lumbosacral Spine, Lumbar Heniation, Chondromalacia Osteochondral Defect, Knee Pain, Hip Pain, Coccygeal Pain, Chronic Pain
A Shipping & Storing Supervisor from California had a serious work injury and could not work anymore. His employer provided Long Term Disability insurance that he began receiving while pursuing his Workers’ Compensation claim. After his Workers’ Compensation case settled, he had to change doctors. Reliance Standard used that as an opportunity to terminate his benefits.
The team at Fields Law immediately contacted our client’s new and prior treating providers. We made sure Reliance Standard did not exploit the change in doctors by gathering statements from the doctors and updated medical records. The appeal put together by the Fields Law team got our client’s benefits restored and his back benefits paid. Our client was very happy to be able to focus on his medical treatment and not insurance company paperwork.
