Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Lincoln Financial
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 Lincoln Financial.
Scott – Truck Driver – Lewiston Orchards, Idaho
Chronic Hip Pain, Chronic Shoulder Pain
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.
Mary – Payroll Supervisor – Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin
Infalmmatory Polyradiculopathy, Fibromyalgia
A Payroll Supervisor became disabled after developing severe nerve pain all throughout her body. It affected her ability to concentrate and perform her duties throughout the day. After initially paying some disability benefits, her insurer sent a denial letter, stating she could perform desk work and other sedentary duties. The insurance company argued that the woman did not have any severe neurological symptoms that would preclude such duties. The woman was shocked, because her condition had actually been worsening over the past several months.
She retained Fields Law and our attorneys filed an appeal on our client’s behalf. We closely examined the information that the insurer had when it denied benefits and secured detailed reports from two of our client’s treating providers challenging that information. The insurance company reviewed the information in the appeal and determined our client was eligible for benefits.
Jeanette – Conductor – Pullman, Washington
Knee Pain, Back Pain
A Conductor from Washington was no longer able to work due to conditions relating to her knees and back. The employer provided a Long Term Disability policy and she applied for coverage and benefits. Her insurer initially approved the disability benefits, but later terminated Long Term Disability benefits, indicating no benefits were payable because she did not meet the Policy’s definition of Totally Disabled. She appealed this decision without the assistance of legal counsel, and Lincoln Financial upheld its prior decision to terminate and deny continued Long Term Disability benefits.
Frustrated by Lincoln Financial’s response, she turned to the Fields Law attorneys to file her second appeal. Our attorneys started by getting all the most favorable records and documents our client had and submitted a comprehensive appeal. After only a couple of weeks, Lincoln Financial reversed their decision to deny benefits, and retroactively paid our client back all the previously unpaid monthly benefits as a lump sum.
