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.
Kellie – Licensed Practical Nurce – Pendleton, Indiana
COPD, Pneumonia, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Immunodeficiency, Depression, Anxiety
A nurse from Indiana was forced to stop working due to a variety of medical conditions including COPD, pneumonia, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression and anxiety. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits and her claim was accepted and her insurer began paying benefits. For the first two years of benefits, she only had to show Unum that she was not capable of working in her job as a nurse. After the first two years of benefits, she had to show that she was not capable of returning to any gainful occupation. Unum used this change in the definition of disability as an opportunity to deny her ongoing benefits.
When Unum discontinued her benefits, they cited a listed of jobs that they felt she could perform. She knew she did not have the physical capacity to perform any of the jobs. Moreover, she lacked the necessary education, experience, and skills.
She turned to Fields Law Firm for help and our attorneys took a weight off our client’s shoulders by handling the entire appeal process. We worked with our client’s doctors to refute assertions that she could return to work in various jobs. We gathered medical records and drafted legal arguments in support of our client’s claim for benefits. After reviewing the information that Fields Law submitted in support of her appeal, Unum was forced to overturn their denial of benefits, paid her back pay and reinstate her disability benefits.
Anne – Overdraft Report Specialist – Muscatine, Iowa
Multiple Sclerosis
An Overdraft Report Specialist from Iowa progressively developed difficulty with cognition, weakness and maintaining balance while walking and standing. Initially, she assumed the symptoms would dissipate and go way, but when they didn’t, she saw her doctor who, after a battery of tests, eventually diagnosed multiple sclerosis. As the symptoms worsened, she was left with no choice but to file a claim for Long Term Disability, but her application for benefits was denied.
Frightened at the prospect of having no income to pay her bills, she hired Fields Law. Our attorneys reached out to her medical providers for supporting medical records and reports documenting her multiple sclerosis and showed the condition was very debilitating. An appeal was presented to Unum, who reversed its decision, reinstating her much needed benefits.
Dale – Therapist – Stuart, Florida
Sensory Neuropathy, Gastroparesis, Chemo Brain, Nerve Pain, Bipolar
A Therapist from Florida developed Stage 4 Breast Cancer and went on Long Term Disability. She managed to survive the cancer but was ravaged from her battle. She remained on claim for 15 years when Unum suddenly terminated her benefits claiming her cancer symptoms had improved and she could return to work.
Knowing she needed assistance appealing Unum’s determination, she retained Fields Law Firm to appeal her case. The Fields Law attorneys began assembling supportive documentation including updated medical records and a supportive narrative from our client’s treating physician. Our attorneys then wrote a pointed appeal of Unum’s denial, countering their arguments. Upon consideration of the appeal Unum quickly overturned their prior denial, issuing backpay and reinstating ongoing benefits.
