Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against New York Life
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 New York Life.
Jacqueline – Administrative Assistant – Herndon, Virginia
Incontinence, Anxiety, Depression
An Administrative Assistant in Virginia was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. After chemotherapy and several surgeries, she went into remission but, as a result of surgery, suffered from incontinence. The embarrassment of the incontinence led to panic attacks, severe anxiety, and depression. She was forced to stop working and was approved for Long Term Disability benefits through her insurer. But soon after, her benefits stopped being paid to her.
She called Fields Law Firm to remedy the issue and our attorneys reviewed over 2300 pages of documents from New York Life. We found that they had based their decision on a couple of social media posts by our client. She took some pictures with family members at social events and this was used against her. Our attorneys compiled summaries of our client’s symptoms from her doctors and sent them to New York Life for an appeal. The medical evidence outweighed the frivolous social media investigation and continuing benefits were awarded for our client. She was overjoyed to have her benefits reinstated.
Melissa – Phlebotomist – West Union, Ohio
Lumbar Disc Disease, Myleopathy
A certified phlebotomist for a large health care provider was diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc disease with myelopathy, with associated radiating pain. She quit working because she was unable to keep up with her physically demanding and stressful job. New York Life agreed and paid the woman’s claim for several months. Out of nowhere and without explanation, the insurer requested the woman attend an independent medical examination. In turn, her benefits were denied based on the report, which far overestimated her physical abilities.
After hiring Fields Law Firm to assist with an appeal of the denial, our attorneys combed over the claim file and discovered that the independent doctor had failed to base his recommended work restrictions on examination findings. The Fields Law attorneys arranged for our client to attend a functional capacity evaluation to refute the findings of New York Life’s doctor and secured a substantial amount of medical records. Our attorneys submitted the medical records, functional capacity evaluation, and several legal arguments undermining the denial decision; which resulted in the decision being overturned our client’s benefits being reinstated.
Robert – Machine Operator – Newton Falls, Ohio
Nerve Damage in Legs, Back Pain, Scoliosis
A machine operator from Ohio experienced severe discomfort following back surgery. He could not sit or stand for more than a few minutes without serious pain. Work became impossible, so he applied for Long Term Disability benefits. His insurer initially approved his claim and paid him monthly benefits for about two years. Suddenly, they sent a letter telling him that he no longer fit their definition of disabled and that payments would stop.
Shocked and worried at his lost income, he called Fields Law for help. The attorneys at Fields Law scoured his claim file and found that they made their decision while our client was in between insurance providers and struggling to find good care providers in his network. Our attorneys contacted our client’s physicians to obtain updated medical records and sent a strong appeal to his insurance company with the updated medical records attached. His insurer overturned their original decision and our client received a lump-sum payment for back-pay and ongoing monthly benefits. He was relieved that his monthly income was restored and is happy to be able to use the money to continue treatment.
