Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Principal

A restaurant manager became disabled after developing severe diabetic neuropathy in his feet. The numbness and pain kept him from being on his feet for extended periods of time. He was unable to work because his fast-paced job as a restaurant manager required constant standing and walking. He filed a claim for Short Term Disability benefits and the insurance company paid benefits for a few weeks, agreeing he was unable to perform the duties of his medium-duty occupation. Without warning, Principal denied benefits because they believed he could return to work.

He decided to hire Fields Law to help him appeal the denial decision. Our attorneys updated our client’s medical records and secured disability paperwork from our client’s treating physicians describing his neuropathic pain and limitations. The appeal was submitted with legal arguments regarding Principal’s duty to consider all of the evidence and provide a full and fair review. Shortly after the appeal was submitted, Principal overturned the denial and paid all outstanding benefits. Our client was also subsequently approved for Long Term Disability due to the Short Term Disability appeal.

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.

A nurse supervisor from Missouri was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She took medication to offset her symptoms but eventually she began feeling extreme fatigue and cognition problems. She got into a car accident because her right leg suddenly went numb. She was forced to stop working. She applied for Long Term Disability but was denied by the insurance company and was told she could return to work.

With her symptoms worsening and her income gone, she called Fields Law for help. Our team gathered all our client’s medical records as well as Principal’s file. Our attorneys ordered additional neurologic evaluations. Once the evidence was strengthened, Fields Law attorneys sent a strong appeal to Principal. The denial was overturned, and our client received a lump-sum benefit for back-pay and was awarded ongoing monthly benefits.