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

An engineering technician in New Mexico, whose work required frequent lifting, climbing, and repetitive use of the upper extremities developed degenerative joint disease in both hands and arms. The condition caused significant pain and swelling, making the essential duties of the occupation unsustainable. Although Long Term Disability benefits were initially approved for a limited period, Mutual of Omaha later denied continued coverage, despite ongoing limitations.

The Fields Law Firm team prepared a detailed appeal supported by complete medical documentation and vocational functional capacity evaluations that clearly connected the documented impairment to the demands of the client’s own occupation. Based on this record, Mutual of Omaha reversed course and approved benefits going forward. Our team remained focused on building a thorough, occupation-specific appeal, and delivering a timely outcome that restored the client’s income protection.

A mechanical design specialist had congestive heart failure which caused a heart attack, ongoing fatigue, and swelling in his joints. The symptoms were too severe to continue working and he applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his insurer at work. Despite his symptoms, the insurance company denied his disability claim. He appealed the decision, but the insurance company would not reverse the denial.

With one additional opportunity to appeal the decision remaining, he contacted Fields Law for assistance. Our attorneys contacted all of his doctors for updated medical records. Our attorneys also reviewed the claim file from the insurance company and found serious oversights. Our attorneys submitted a final appeal, but the insurer did not change the decision. The Fields Law attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client’s benefits. During preparations for trial, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was pleased with the settlement check and happy to be done fighting his insurance company.

A refrigeration mechanic left work when he started to experience severe vertigo and dizziness. He submitted a claim for disability benefits to his insurance company who denied his claim, stating the medical records did not support an inability to perform the duties of his own occupation. He was shocked because his symptoms precluded him from even being on his feet. He could not lift up to one hundred pounds as his job required.

The Fields Law attorneys filed an appeal in support of disability benefits for our client. We argued that the symptoms he experienced would make the performance of his heavy-duty job impossible. Lincoln Financial briefly reviewed the appeal and medical information our attorneys provided and overturned their denial.