Short & Long Term Disability Cases We’ve Won for Our Clients Against Various Insurers
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 various insurers.
John – Tax Director – Orange, Connecticut
Type 1 Diabetes, Charcot Foot Deformity, Neuropathy, Neurological Deficits from Stroke
A tax director for a national accounting firm became disabled when his type 1 diabetes resulted in complications to his lower extremities, including a diabetic foot ulcer. He was unable to walk for more than a few minutes a day. If he over-exerted himself, he could develop further complications requiring amputation of his foot. He applied for disability benefits and retired to focus on stabilizing his medical conditions.
He received benefits for approximately two years before CIGNA denied his claim, stating he was able to perform his own sedentary occupation as an accountant. As a tax director, he was shocked. Far from sitting in an office working on tax returns, his job required him to meet with clients at their businesses and attend local business events.
Out of options, he hired Fields Law to pursue his claim. The Fields Law attorneys assembled a number of medical narrative reports outlining our client’s symptoms in his upper and lower extremities. Additionally, the attorneys had a vocational professional review our client’s job duties and write a report arguing the insurer failed to consider the material duties of our client’s occupation when it labeled him as an accountant. Just a few weeks after the appeal was submitted, CIGNA reinstated the claim and paid our client all of the outstanding back pay.
Michael – Security Supervisor – Craig, Colorado
Status Post 13 Spinal Surgeries
Over the period of several years, a Security Supervisor from Colorado underwent 13 surgeries on his spine. He was unable to work during that time and was approved for Long Term Disability benefits. After two years, CIGNA abruptly terminated his benefits, claiming that based on their independent medical exam and his recent medical records, he was able to return to work in alternate occupations like a Gate Guard or Timekeeper.
Uncertain what to do to resolve the situation, he retained Fields Law to appeal his denial. The Fields Law attorneys began gathering updated medical documentation to support their appeal and wrote an appeal critical of the CIGNA’s denial reasoning. Upon consideration of the appeal, CIGNA overturned their prior determination and reinstated his Long Term benefits, including sending him a check in the mail for his back payments.
Marie – Logistics Specialist – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Multiple Sclerosis, Bulging Discs, Nerve Root Impingement, Chronic Pain
A Logistics Specialist from Colorado suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, bulging discs with nerve root impingement in her spine, and chronic pain. Originally, she was taken off of work by her medical providers and applied for benefits through her insurance plan. She was approved and paid benefits for 24 months. However, when the definition of disability changed to “any occupation” under the relevant policy, CIGNA discontinued benefits asserting there were occupations she was capable of performing in the national economy.
After attempting to fight this denial on her own without success, she reached out to Fields Law Firm for help. Our attorneys built an appeal establishing that her condition had not improved, but actually worsened over the course of time benefits had been paid. Additionally, the appeal established that her insurer failed to properly evaluate our client’s ongoing entitlement to benefits, and had selectively cited, misstated, and ignored relevant evidence in the file. After reviewing our appeal, CIGNA reversed its decision, paid our client her back pay, and reinstated monthly disability payments.
