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

A 50 year old male who, prior to his disability, worked as a Warehouse Worker with Amazon, had to repeatedly lift, reach, bend, and climb stairs, as well as stand with his arms stretched for eleven hour shifts.

Over a three-month period, he developed significant pain in his lower abdominal area. The pain became so excruciating over time that he had to apply for disability benefits, which were denied. While having to deal with Aetna, he underwent a surgery to rectify an umbilical hernia, forcing him to stay in bed convalescing for months on end.

Eventually, he sought out the assistance of Fields Law Firm. Our attorneys reviewed the file, assembled supportive medical records and reports and filed a memorandum of appeal demanding reversal of the disability carriers’ denial. After a 45 day review of the appeal, Aetna reversed its denial and began making disability payments. While our clients condition is, fortunately, something that will eventually heal, he is extraordinarily grateful for the efforts of Fields Law to ensure he is receiving disability payments while he is attempting to heal from his condition.

After suffering a stroke, a young woman from Arizona was left mildly paralyzed on her let side. As a result, she was unable to perform her job as an analyst for Honeywell. Her Long Term Disability insurer initially accepted her claim and paid benefits for two years. The definition of disabled under her policy later changed and the insurer denied her benefits claiming that she did not meet the new definition of disability.

Clearly unable to work and unsure of what to do, she reached out to Fields Law. Her attorney at Fields Law started by reviewing the entire file from the insurance company and creating a plan for the appeal. After his review, he updated medical records and obtained statements from multiple doctors that the client had treated with. With the updated records and reports, he drafted an appeal which outlined how her condition prevented her from working. The insurance company reversed its decision and reinstated the client’s monthly benefits.

A production line worker at a large car manufacturing company became disabled when he suffered a stroke. After he recovered from the stroke, he still had severe deficits that limited his ability to stand, walk, and perform his daily routine. He was also required to take blood pressure medication that almost completely incapacitated him. While CIGNA agreed he was not able to return to work on the production lines, they denied benefits when the definition of disability changed to include other occupations. They stated he could perform sedentary work on a full-time basis so he appealed the initial denial on his own, but the denial was upheld.

Disappointed by the decision, he hired Fields Law to assist with a second appeal. Our attorneys closely examined the claim file and denial letters and found that the insurer’s doctors failed to consider the effects of the blood pressure medication on our client’s ability to work. After updating medical records, the appeal was submitted arguing that CIGNA needed to consider the totality of the claimant’s condition including side-effects of prescribed drugs. On review, CIGNA agreed and reinstated our client’s claim.