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.
Tapitha – Administrative Assistant – Durham, North Carolina
PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Lumbar and Cervical Disc Degeneration, Fibromyalgia
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.
Michael – Warehouse Associate – Rocky Mountain, North Carolina
Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylosis, Side Effects from Medications
A Warehouse Associate from North Carolina was suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease, spondylosis, and side effects from medications. He was taken off work by his treating doctors and he applied for Long Term Disability benefits through his employer’s plan. Regrettably, Unum denied his claim arguing his conditions were pre-existing and therefore barred under the policy and also that, even if they were not pre-existing, they were not sufficiently disabling to stop him from performing his own occupation.
After being denied, he turned to Fields Law Firm for help. The Fields Law attorneys drafted an appeal, building support from our client’s treating doctors, his medical records, and the actual requirements of his job duties. After receiving our appeal, Unum reversed its decision, paid our client his backpay, and started paying his monthly benefits.
Rose – Metal Shop Supervisor – Lincoln, Nebraska
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Complications from Broken Neck
A metal shop supervisor had surgery for a severe neck injury. Her neck pain after surgery was strong and her range of motion became limited; she was forced to quit working. She was approved for Long Term Disability benefits through her insurance company. After receiving benefits, and being unable to work for 15 years, her insurer told her that she would no longer receive benefits and that she could return to work.
Worried about her lost income, she contacted Fields Law for assistance. Our attorneys obtained her insurer’s case file and contacted our client’s treating physician. After reviewing the documents, the Fields Law attorneys realized the insurer missed a key report from our client’s doctor. Our attorneys filed a strong appeal and the denial was overturned. Our client received a lump-sum check for back pay and was awarded ongoing benefits. She was relieved to have her monthly income restored.
