Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Reliance Standard
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 Reliance Standard.
Claire – Logistics Clerk – Carriere, Mississippi
Cirrhosis, Portal Hypertension, Portal Vein Thrombosis
A Logistics Clerk in Mississippi developed severe liver issues that impacted her ability to work in even sedentary clerical jobs. She left work and applied for Long Term Disability benefits. Her insurer initially approved the claim and paid benefits for 24 months. However, Reliance Standard notified our client that her benefits were discontinued beyond 24 months because it believed her liver conditions were due to alcohol abuse, which was subject to a limited payment period.
She was unsure what to do and contacted Fields Law after doing an internet search. Our attorneys assembled an appeal using commentary from our client’s doctor stating that her liver issues were multifactorial, and it was impossible to quantify how much was related to alcohol versus other factors. After a brief review, Reliance Standard awarded benefits to our client.
Alicia – Regulatory Operations Specialist – Bemidji, Minnesota
Stroke with Neurological and Cognitive Complications
Working in the regulatory division of a large medical technology company, a woman from Minnesota suddenly suffered a stroke. She left work indefinitely to focus on her recovery. She submitted a claim for Long Term Disability benefits with her insurer and received a denial letter.
She found Fields Law online after searching for an attorney to assist with contesting the denial. Our attorneys examined the claim file and found numerous oversights. We updated our client’s medical records and submitted a legal memorandum arguing her case. After a brief review, the insurer agreed to pay our client her benefits.
John – Layout Designer – Middleton, Idaho
Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Chronic Migraines
A Layout Designer in Idaho suffered from severe depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, and chronic migraines. As his conditions worsened, he was taken off work by his doctors and began receiving Long Term Disability benefits. His claim was administered by a third-party on behalf of Reliance Standard.
Unfortunately, after only two months of payments, his insurer cut off his disability benefits. Reliance Standard relied upon two statements within the claimant’s medical records stating he felt a bit better, combined with its own medical record review asserting he could still work full-time, to deny benefits. This occurred even though he required ongoing and continuing hospitalizations and treatments for his conditions.
Unsure how to move forward on his own, he immediately contacted Fields Law Firm for help fighting this decision. His attorney and the team at Fields Law built the evidence necessary to win this appeal and respond to all of Reliance Standard’s errors. We documented the numerous points that were ignored, misstated, and selectively cited relevant evidence to its benefit and our client’s detriment. We reached out to our client’s numerous doctors to show their support in the form of narrative reports. After reviewing our appeal, Reliance Standard reversed its decision, paid our client his back pay, and recommenced monthly benefit payments.
