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

An administrative assistant suffered from a variety of medical conditions, which led her to the realization that she was no longer capable of performing her job duties. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits. Her claim was accepted and she began receiving benefits. While receiving benefits, Unum performed periodic check-ins. They also submitted her medical information to a nurse, who concluded that she remained incapable of performing work. However, just one month after receiving that opinion, Unum sought out a second medical opinion, and the second medical reviewer said the claimiant had no limitations on her work activities and should be able to return to work.

She reacted immediately, filing an appeal on her own, without the assistance of an attorney. Unum did not change their position based on her appeal. However, they did give her a second opportunity to appeal the decision. This time, she turned to Fields Law Firm for help. Our attorneys argued that Unum breached their fiduciary duty to the claimant when they actively sought out an opinion to deny our client’s benefits. About one month after we submitted the appeal, Unum overturned their decision. Our client received backpay and her monthly benefits were reinstated.

An insurance recovery specialist from North Carolina was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and possible Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. She attempted to continue working, but constant sitting and typing exacerbated her symptoms and she was forced to stop working. Her insurer through her work refused to even pay Short Term Disability benefits because they said she could return to work.

Shocked by the Lincoln Financial’s decision, she called Fields Law Firm for help. Our team contacted our client’s doctors and obtained updated medical records to ensure we had all the available evidence. The Fields Law attorneys scoured the records and discovered Lincoln Financial discounted important records from our client’s doctors. We drafted a strong appeal, attaching the records to point out the insurance company’s error, and including the legal arguments supporting our position. Lincoln Financial overturned their previous decision, and our client received a lump-sum check for back-pay and is now receiving ongoing monthly benefits. She was pleased with the hard work by the Fields Law team and is happy to be done fighting her insurance company.

A marketing director from North Carolina began having weakness and numbness in her limbs. Her doctor ran tests and diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis. Her symptoms worsened, and eventually she could no longer work. She put in an application for Short Term Disability benefits, but she knew that her condition would likely be chronic and degenerative.

In anticipation of needing Long Term Disability benefits, she contacted Fields Law before her Short Term Disability benefits expired. The Fields Law attorneys gathered medical records and prepared the file for application. Our attorneys kept in close contact with the insurance company to ensure the application had no weaknesses or missing documents. Our support staff kept our client updated every step of the way and even helped with a Social Security Disability application for benefits. Ultimately, the insurer approved our client for benefits. She is happy that Fields Law handled the application and communication with the insurance company efficiently, and she can now focus on long-term treatment.