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

A director of sales and account management in North Carolina developed serious health limitations, including bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and fatigue. As symptoms progressed, reduced stamina began to interfere with the high-level performance required in a demanding, client-facing role. After multiple treating physicians determined continued work was no longer feasible, they applied for Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits and initially received approval for several months.

Despite that approval, Principal later denied ongoing Long Term Disability benefits, citing a lack of medical evidence and an alleged failure to meet the policy’s definition of disability. The Fields Law Firm team stepped in to address the denial with a structured appeal strategy, including updated, supportive reports from treating physicians, a corroborating statement from the client’s spouse, and a detailed pain diary documenting day-to-day functional impact at work. With this comprehensive record in place, Principal reversed course and approved ongoing benefits following the appeal.

An installed sales coordinator in North Carolina had Short Term Disability benefits approved for treating major depressive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia, then Sedgwick terminated payments just four weeks later, citing an internal nurse review that claimed the medical records supported a return to work.

With income interrupted and deadlines approaching, Fields Law Firm acted quickly to stabilize the claim and clarify next steps. The Fields team reviewed the medical and occupational evidence, obtained updated records, and secured additional physician support to strengthen the administrative appeal. Because a different carrier administered the Long Term Disability coverage, Fields Law Firm also prepared and submitted a Long Term Disability application to support continuity of benefits. After the appeal record was fully developed and Long Term Disability benefits were approved, Sedgwick reversed course and paid the Short Term Disability benefits that had been denied.

A mortgage officer for JP Morgan Chase began experiencing weakness, vertigo, and significant nausea. She initially assumed that the flu-like symptoms would go away, and she would be fine. But the condition worsened, and she scheduled an appointment with the doctor. After several treatments with the doctors and prescription medications, it was clear that the condition was serious. Doctors tested her for an autoimmune disease which was positive. She was terrified as she had several dependents whom she was taking care of.

She applied for and received Long Term Disability for several years as she attempted to find an antidote for her disease. Unfortunately, the insurer, without any warning, suddenly issued a denial letter stating she was no longer disabled, and the much-needed disability checks stopped coming. She tried to work with her doctors to present enough evidence to show that she continued to be disabled, but the insurer would not reverse its decision.

Out of options, she approached Fields Law, and spoke to our staff about her claim. Our attorneys immediately began working with medical providers to obtain the necessary supportive reports, and assembled medical records, and filed a lawsuit. After several weeks of negotiations, Fields Law was able to resolve the case for a significant sum of money, enabling our client to pay her bills and, most importantly, meet the needs of her dependent loved ones.