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.
Austin – Insurance Manager – Murray, Utah
Dyspnea with Exertion, Fibromyalgia, Mitochondrial Disorder
An Insurance Manager from Utah suffered from Dyspnea with Exertion, Fibromyalgia, and Mitochondrial Disorder. He was taken off work by his doctors as they attempted to clarify his diagnoses and treat his many disabling symptoms. His insurer initially paid his Short Term Disability benefits but when the doctors could not find a definitive cause for his symptoms Life Map discontinued benefits.
Fields Law built a multifaceted plan to win his appeal. Our attorneys secured narrative reports from multiple treating physicians documenting the severity of our client’s symptoms and their impact on his day to day life. We successfully argued that Life Map had ignored relevant evidence already provided and that its hired medical record reviewer selectively cited and misstated the opinions of our client’s treating doctors. After reviewing our appeal Life Map reversed its decision, paid our client’s back benefits, and commenced payment of Long Term Disability benefits.
Teresa – Registered Nurse – Bedford, Texas
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression, Anxiety
A nurse became disabled after developing severe depression and anxiety stemming from a personal tragedy. She struggled to even get out of bed for work in the mornings. She knew that she was unable to take care of herself, let alone sick patients. Aetna initially paid benefits solely on the basis of mental health, though the woman also suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis.
After the 24-month mental health limitation period in the policy had passed, Aetna denied Long Term Disability benefits. They claimed her physical conditions were insufficient to prevent her from working a sedentary job. She felt hopeless and originally decided not to pursue the case. However, at the advice of her Social Security Disability attorney, she decided to hire a lawyer to file the appeal on her behalf.
Just two weeks before the deadline for filing, she hired Fields Law to file an appeal on her behalf. Our attorneys immediately rush-requested medical records and narrative reports from her treating physicians. Along with the records and reports, we submitted a lengthy memorandum containing legal and factual arguments supporting her entitlement to benefits. Aetna reversed its decision to deny benefits and reinstated our client’s claim.
Jana – Staffing Coordinator – Dandridge, Tennessee
Spinal Stenosis in Lumbar and Cervical Spine, Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism
A Staffing Coordinator for a large tire manufacturer was forced to stop working due to spinal stenosis of her lumbar and cervical spine, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism. She applied for Long Term Disability benefits and received them for almost one year. One day, out of the blue, she received a letter from stating that medical personnel from CIGNA reviewed her claim and determined that she could go back to work. These medical personnel gave these opinions without ever even meeting her.
She turned to Fields Law Firm for help. Our attorneys crafted an appeal in which we argued that CIGNA misconstrued the nature of our client’s job and the physical requirements associated with it. Furthermore, we argued that it was wrong to rely on doctors who had never met or examined her. After Fields Law submitted the appeal, CIGNA reviewed the evidence and admitted they made a mistake by discontinuing her benefits. They issued a check for the past due benefits that they owed to our client, who was very happy she entrusted Fields Law to handle her appeal.
