Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients in North Carolina
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 and lawsuit case wins in North Carolina.
Derrick – Car Salesman – Durham, North Carolina
Lupus, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Myositis, Degenerative Disc Disease
A car salesman from North Carolina suffered from Lupus, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Myositis, and Degenerative Disc Disease. Unfortunately, his conditions progressively worsened until his doctors were forced to take him off work. His insurance company paid him Long Term Disability benefits for two years under the Own Occupation definition of disability. However, six months before the definition of disability changed, Principal started reviewing his case. They hired private investigators to follow him and his family, sent him to an IME, and had individuals do an in-home visit to assess his disability. Based upon this review, Principal cut off his benefits, alleging he would not satisfy the new definition of disability.
He quickly reached out to Fields Law Firm for help fighting this decision. Our team of attorneys successfully argued that our client’s condition was progressive and, in fact, worsening. Additionally, our team reviewed the surveillance footage from Principal’s private investigators and showed that this surveillance actually supported our client’s disability claim. Lastly, our attorneys documented the numerous moments where Principal selectively cited, misstated, and ignored relevant evidence in denying benefits. After reviewing our appeal, the denial decision was reversed. Our client was awarded back pay, and recommenced monthly benefit payments.
Lonette – Nurse Anesthetist – Durham, North Carolina
Interstitial Cystitis, Fibromyalgia, Glaucoma, IBS, Cervical Disc Disease, Anxiety
A nurse anesthetist from North Carolina was forced to stop working due to interstitial cystitis and associated urinary urgency, pelvic pain, and a sleep disorder. Her Long Term Disability carrier accepted her claim and paid benefits for nearly thirteen years. The Hartford later denied her benefits claiming that she was no longer disabled under the terms of her policy. Unsure of what to do, she reached out to Fields Law Firm. The Fields Law attorneys obtained all of our client’s medical records and began crafting her case for an appeal. In addition to acquiring medical records, our attorneys showed that the review by The Hartford was defective in numerous ways. The Hartford reversed their decision and reinstated her monthly benefits.
Karen – LPN Surgical Associate – Mount Ulla, North Carolina
Hashimotos, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Hyper IGE Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, High Blood Pressure, Multilevel Disc Herniations, Chronic Hip Pain, Immobility, Chronic Infections, Chronic Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression
A Surgical LPN from North Carolina developed several complex medical conditions including Hashimotos, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Hyper IGE Syndrome, degenerative disc disease and chronic pain. She was forced to stop working due to her increasing symptoms. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits from her insurance carrier. The Hartford denied her application, and she contacted Fields Law Firm to represent her for her administrative appeal.
The attorneys at Fields Law Firm acquired updated medical records from her doctors and a supportive report from a vocational expert. The Fields Law team drafted an appeal critical of The Hartford’s denial decision and submitted it for their review. Upon consideration, The Hartford overturned their prior determination, and granted our client back benefits through her Own Occupation period. Our client then continued her partnership with Fields Law to fight The Hartford’s subsequent denial of her benefits during the Any Occupation period of review.
