Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in Idaho

A mine maintenance electrician in Idaho stopped working in 2020 due to chronic back pain and failed back syndrome. Long Term Disability benefits were initially approved through MetLife, but the insurer later denied the claim when the policy’s definition of disability changed, creating an immediate loss of expected income and added pressure tied to appeal deadlines.

Fields Law stepped in to manage communications with the insurance company and prepare a focused administrative appeal supported by clear medical and occupational evidence. The appeal resulted in a reversal of the denial, securing months of backpay and the reinstatement of ongoing benefits, and the Fields team remained engaged at each stage to keep the process organized and moving forward.

A commercial truck driver in Idaho developed chronic hip and shoulder pain tied to degenerative joint disease, which made it impossible to continue driving. Long Term Disability benefits were approved and paid for nearly two years, but at the two-year mark the policy’s definition of “disabled” changed. After applying the new standard, Lincoln Financial denied ongoing benefits, stating the client could perform other work.

Fields Law promptly obtained and reviewed the full medical record, then prepared a detailed administrative appeal that addressed the insurer’s stated rationale and grounded the argument in medical evidence supporting disability. The appeal identified key gaps in the denial analysis and explained why the decision did not align with the policy requirements. After review, Lincoln Financial overturned the denial and reinstated benefits on an ongoing basis.

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.