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

A Financial Assistance Specialist was unable to work due to major depression and anxiety. The Hartford, which had initially paid her benefits suddenly stopped, even though she had seen no improvement in her symptoms.

She reached out to Fields Law Firm, who did not hesitate to start preparing an appeal that showed her psychological condition had not changed and that she remained entitled to benefits. In this appeal, we showed that The Hartford based its denial on a selective and partial review of our client’s medical records. We also obtained medical opinions from her treating doctors to support the persistence of her impairments. Our appeal was successful and our client was relieved when she learned that her benefits would continue. The Hartford reinstated disability benefits after the Fields Law attorneys successfully appealed its decision to discontinue a disabled worker’s benefits.

A Maintenance Mechanic from Minnesota experienced pain in both knees, and had to use a cane or crutches to walk. His doctor diagnosed him with osteoarthritis and prescribed strong pain medication to ease his symptoms. Ultimately, his condition was too severe and he was forced to stop working. His insurance provider approved his claim for Long Term Disability benefits. Suddenly, after receiving benefits for over a year, New York Life wrote the mechanic a letter saying they would stop paying benefits because he did not meet their definition of disabled.

Upset over his loss of income, he contacted Fields Law Firm for assistance with an appeal. The attorneys at Fields Law contacted our client’s doctors and obtained updated medical reports. They submitted an appeal to New York Life with the updated medical records attached to strengthen their arguments. Ultimately, New York Life reinstated benefits for our client, and he also received a lump-sum payment for back-pay.

A Minnesota employee had worked as Classroom Teacher for a public school before becoming disabled after suffering a head injury following a motor vehicle accident. By an impersonal letter, her Long Term Disability insurance carrier notified this teacher that her disability benefits were denied because she no longer met the definition of disability. Voya claimed that there was no medical evidence to support her inability to perform the Material and Substantial duties of her Regular Occupation.

Upset at her sudden loss of income, she called Fields Law for help appealing Voya’s decision. The attorneys at Fields Law contacted our client’s doctors to compile reports of all of her symptoms and treatments, as well as narrative reports. After submitting her appeal, Voya reversed its previous decision and issued a check for the months it failed to pay this teacher.