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

A construction manager who worked all over the globe on major construction projects began to suffer from chronic and debilitating pain in his neck, back, and abdomen. He was not able to continue to working due to the combination of all his pain. His Short Term Disability insurer initially accepted his claim, but later cut him off on the basis that he had been released to work.

Unable to work and in need of a source of income, he connected with Fields Law Firm. The Fields Law attorneys reviewed the claim file from the insurer and set a plan to get benefits reinstated. They compiled all of the necessary medical records and reports from his treating doctors. The Fields Law attorneys then drafted a strong appeal that argued why benefits should have never been cut off. On review, CIGNA reinstated our client’s claim for benefits.

A Customer Service Clerk in New Jersey developed multiple herniations to her Lumbar, Thoracic, and Cervical spine. These disc herniations caused shooting pain and numbness down one of her shoulders, into the arm, and down her back, into her legs. Her treating doctor advised she stop working, so she applied for Long Term Disability through her employer’s plan. CIGNA denied the claim after its in-house doctors reviewed her medical records. They told her that their doctors had determined her conditions were not severe enough to support limitations and restrictions, so from their point of view she could work full time.

Fields Law successfully argued that CIGNA’s doctors selectively cited and ignored critical information from the medical records, and that our client’s treating physician was in the best position to assess her conditions. Consequently, CIGNA overturned its decision, paid our client her back pay, and commenced monthly benefit payments.

A commercial sales representative for ADT sold and created plans for alarm systems with large commercial businesses. He loved his job, particularly interacting with customers and meeting their needs to protect not only their facilities, but also their intellectual property. Unfortunately, one day he developed a severe headache that kept him out of work for several days. He assumed the headache would go away as, at times, Tylenol and ibuprofen would ease the pain. But, when the headache increased and persisted to where it became unbearable, he saw a doctor who diagnosed severe migraines and started him on a treatment plan. While the treatment plan provided some improvement, the headaches affected his ability to do his job which required focus, concentration and an outgoing personality.

He could no longer do his job and filed for Long Term Disability benefits. Despite medical records clearly documenting the severity of the headaches, CIGNA denied the application for benefits. Left with no options and a lack of income to support his family, he hired Fields Law. The attorneys at Fields Law engaged his doctors, assembled medical records and reports, and filed a successful, favorable appeal. To our client’s great relief, the disability payments and back pay were issued and he could now meet the financial needs of his family and continue with his treatment plans with the hopes of resolving his medical condition and returning to full-time work.