PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

Senior Plant Technician Operator - Oxon Hill, MD

Stroke Symptoms, Drop Foot

“A Maryland man had worked as a Technical Operator for a power company for many years. His job involved climbing up and down scaffolding, working on large and complicated machinery, and significant amounts of walking. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke and began experiencing numbness and tingling in his lower extremities. He eventually was diagnosed with Drop Foot, or total foot numbness. No longer able to climb or walk for any appreciable distance, the man was forced to stop working.

The man applied for benefits from his long-term disability carrier, MetLife, and was initially approved. When the man was released to light-duty work by his physician, his employer couldn’t accommodate his ongoing restrictions and the man remained disabled. On these grounds, MetLife terminated the man’s benefits, claiming his medical records did not support further functional limitations. He tried appealing the insurer’s decision on his own, but they denied his motion. The man remained employed by the power company, but was not allowed to return to work. He felt like he had run out of options.

Knowing he needed help, the man turned to Fields Disability. Our team of attorneys and legal professionals got to work on his case right away. Our paralegals acquired pertinent medical records which the insurer claimed not to have, and our attorneys gathered supporting expert opinion from the man’s medical team. Fields Disability made several arguments in the appeal, supported by detailed exhibits. The appeal was submitted well before the insurer’s deadline and the insurer soon overturned their prior decision. The man received substantial check for his back benefits, and MetLife reinstated the man’s ongoing benefits.”

Service Maintenance Mechanic - Rock Springs, WY

Crush Injury to Left Foot, Left Leg Resulting in CRPS/RSD

“A man suffered a crush injury to his left foot and leg while working as a maintenance mechanic. He received benefits from his employer’s workers’ compensation insurer, but he was also eligible for long-term disability benefits through Aetna. Aetna paid him benefits for approximately two and a half years.

During the time he was receiving benefits, the man was diagnosed with CRPS/RSD of the left ankle. Instead of recognizing the seriousness and the progressive nature of the man’s ankle injury, Aetna discontinued his benefits out of the blue, indicating he should be able to return to work as a Pump Service Supervisor or a Pager, two jobs that the man had never previously performed.

The man turned to Fields Disability for help appealing Aetna’s decision. Our team went through Aetna’s file, citing errors in the report of the Independent Medical Examiner, the examiner whose report Aetna relied on in discontinuing our client’s benefits.

We crafted a strong appeal. A few weeks after submitting the appeal to Aetna, Aetna reversed their prior denial of benefits and paid our client his backpay and his monthly benefits.”

Store Manager - Beckley, WV

Diabetic Nephropathy, Chronic Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease

“A manager of a Kroger’s grocery store in West Virginia suffered from a number of different conditions. After attempting to continue working despite his condition, he soon realized he simply couldn’t work. After applying for short-term disability benefits, MetLife denied his claim for benefits. Their denial claimed that the medical information available did not provide clinical findings that would preclude him from working.

Not sure what he should do, he reached out to Fields Disability. After completing his review of the client’s file from the insurance company, his attorney developed a plan to fight the denial. He updated medical records and obtained a report from the client’s treating doctor and drafted a winning appeal. The insurance company reversed their decision and reinstated the client’s benefits and paid all the past-due benefits. The client was extremely relieved and grateful to have his sole source of income back.”

Internship/Externship Coordinator - Wilmington, DE

Severe Asthma

“A woman who worked as an Internship/Externship Coordinator for a technical college in Delaware suffered from severe persistent asthma. Cigna, her short-term disability insurer, initially accepted her claim. One month later, they denied the claim. Their denial claimed that the medical information available did not provide clinical findings that would preclude her from working.

Not sure what she should do, she reached out to Fields Disability. After completing his review of the client’s file from the insurance company, her attorney developed a plan to fight the denial. He updated medical records and obtained a report from the client’s treating pulmonologist which stated that her asthma was rated at an AMA Class 4D, which is significant.

Armed with this report, her attorney then drafted a winning appeal. The insurance company reversed their decision and reinstated the client’s benefits and paid all the past-due benefits. The client was extremely relieved and grateful to have her sole source of income back.”

Marketing Supervisor - Orlando, FL

Mitral Valve Disease, Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Anemia, GERD, Thyroid Cancer, Endocarditis, Brain Tumor, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

“A marketing supervisor from Florida suffered from mitral valve disease, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypothyroidism, hypertension, anemia, GERD, thyroid cancer, endocarditis, brain tumor, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her doctors took her off work and she began receiving Long Term Disability benefits through her employer’s plan. After the definition of disability changed under her policy, Reliance Standard discontinued her benefits, claiming she could perform various other occupations, despite her disabling conditions.

Concerned, she turned to Fields Disability for help. The Fields attorneys worked with our client to build an appeal establishing Reliance Standard failed to consider all of the relevant evidence, failed to properly consider the favorable Social Security Disability award, and failed to establish our client was capable of performing these additional occupations. After receiving our appeal, Reliance Standard reversed its denial, paid our client her backpay, and commenced payment of her monthly benefits.”