Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against UNUM
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 UNUM.
Cynthia – Registered Nurse – Plano, Texas
Lumbar, Cervical Disc Disease
A nurse became disabled after developing degenerative disc disease in the lumbar and cervical regions in her spine. Her capacity for lifting patients, staying on her feet, and even doing routine paperwork was significantly impaired. Her insurer, however, decided the conditions were not severe enough to rule out working as a nurse. She knew returning to work as a nurse was unsafe for her patients and herself.
She hired Fields Law to file an appeal on her behalf. Our attorneys assembled the medical records to present a complete and holistic view of the claimant’s conditions, restrictions, and limitations. Additionally, we submitted two narrative reports including and independent medical review and a strong report from the woman’s treating provider. After a brief review, her insurance company reversed its decision to deny benefits and started paying the woman’s claim. She was happy to receive a substantial backpay check, as she had been without income for roughly a year.
Diana – Medical Coder – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteoarthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraines
A medical coder from South Dakota was forced out of work due to chronic pain, spinal fusions, and muscle spasms. She had tried numerous methods of pain management over the years, but nothing helped get her pain fully under control. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits with Unum, but her claim was denied at the application stage. She turned to Fields Law Firm for help appealing the denial.
Our team gathered her medical records and a statement from her primary care provider in support of her disability. Unum reversed their decision and approved our client for ongoing Long Term Disability benefits. She also received a lump sum payment for the back benefits owed to her.
Stacy – Compliance Manager – Manorville, New York
Vestibular Dysfunction, Superior Oblique Palsy, Meniere’s Disease, Dizziness, Vertigo, Migraines
A Compliance Manager from New York had a job that required constant computer screen time, resulting in debilitating migraines and vertigo. She was approved for and received Short Term Disability benefits, which ran from her date of disability, through the time it was exhausted. After the expiration of her Short Term benefits, she became eligible for Long Term Disability benefits from her policy’s carrier. She was initially approved; however, Unum terminated her Long Term benefits indicating no benefits were payable. Unum felt there were no physical examination or diagnostic test findings that indicate she would lack the capacity to perform her occupation as a Compliance Manager and that Meniere’s Disease generally does not prevent most patients from working.
Upset at her sudden loss of income, she called Fields Law Firm for help. The attorneys at Fields Law contacted our client’s doctors to compile reports of all of her symptoms and treatments. Unum hired their own independent doctor to review the case, and after a more thorough review, they overturned their prior decision and paid our client all of the back benefits she was entitled to.
