PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

Lumber Yard Manager - Chesterfield, MI

Chronic Neck Pain, Neck Fusion Surgery, Weakness throughout both Upper Arms, Gait Instability

“Our client was a lumber yard manager from Michigan suffering with chronic neck pain after undergoing a multilevel neck fusion surgery. He was removed from work and his treating providers noted he could not return to the physical nature of his previous occupation. He applied for long-term disability benefits through his employer’s plan with Greater Georgia Life. Unfortunately, the insurer denied the claim asserting based on its review he could continue to perform the material duties of his occupation.

Our client turned to Fields Disability for help. Our team worked with our client to build an appeal fighting this denial. We wrote to our client’s doctors receiving extensive narrative reports specifically responding to the insurers grounds for denial. Additionally, we pointed out substantial errors in the review that failed to consider all the relevant evidence in the claim file. After receiving our appeal, the insurer reversed its decision, paid our client his backpay, and commenced monthly long-term disability benefits.”

Research and Development Chemist - Joplin, MO

Chronic Breathing Conditions, Chronic Headaches, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Emboli, Multiple Sites of Degenerative Joint Disease

“A 63-year-old Chemist from Missouri who formerly worked at a large candy company as a Research and Development Chemist suffered from chronic breathing conditions, chronic headaches, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and multiple sites of degenerative joint disease. He initially received long-term disability benefits, but after a few months he was sent a letter explaining that benefits would stop because he no longer met the insurers definition of disabled. The attorneys at Fields Disability submitted an appeal with two independent medical evaluations and several reports from his physicians. The insurer decided to still deny him his benefits.

Our attorneys filed a lawsuit against the insurance company in federal court to fight for our client. During preparation for trial, Fields Disability attorneys were able to negotiate a generous lump-sum settlement for our client. He was overjoyed with the resolution of his case.”

Licensed Practical Nurce - Pendleton, IN

COPD, Pneumonia, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Immunodeficiency, Depression, Anxiety

“Our client who was a nurse was forced to stop working due to a variety of medical conditions including COPD, pneumonia, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression and anxiety.

She applied for long-term disability benefits. Unum accepted her claim and began paying benefits. However, for the first two years of benefits, the woman only had to show Unum that she was not capable of working in her job as a nurse. After the first two years of benefits, she had to show that she was not capable of returning to any gainful occupation. Unum used this “change in the definition of disability” as an opportunity to deny the woman’s ongoing benefits.

Unum discontinued her benefits and cited a listed of jobs that they felt she was capable of performing. The woman knew she did not have the physical capacity to perform any of the jobs. Moreover, she lacked the necessary education, experience, and skills.

She turned to Fields Disability for help. The attorneys at Fields Disability took a weight off the woman’s shoulders by handling the entire appeal process. We worked with our client’s doctors to refute Unum’s assertions that she could return to work in various jobs. We gathered medical records and drafted legal arguments in support of our client’s claim for benefits.

After reviewing the information that Fields Disability submitted in support of her appeal, Unum was forced to overturn their denial of benefits, paid her back pay and reinstated her disability benefits.”

Project Director - Cincinnati, OH

Back Pain, Radiculopathy, Complications from Hip Replacement

“A project director from Ohio began feeling pain and numbness following a hip replacement. She was unable to stay in one position and suffered from severe pain. Her doctor diagnosed her with a damaged femoral nerve and recommended she stop working. She received long-term disability benefits for a few months, but then the insurance company stopped payments, saying that she did not submit enough evidence of her inability to work. She sent an appeal with additional medical records to no avail.

Worried about her lost income, she contacted Fields Disability for help with the next step. Our support team obtained medical records from all our client’s doctors. Fields attorneys drafted a strong appeal to the insurance company using the updated medical records and in-depth legal research. In the face of this new evidence, the insurance company changed its mind. Our client received a large lump-sum for backpay as well as ongoing monthly benefits. She is overjoyed to be done fighting her insurance company, and is happy to use her newly awarded benefits to continue treatment.”

Marketing Project Analyst - Port Angeles, WA

Low Back Pain, Leg Numbness, Depression

“A Marketing Project Analyst from Washington was in a serious car accident which caused severe low back pain and leg numbness. Her condition exacerbated depression symptoms as well. She couldn’t stay seated for more than a few minutes without sharp pain, so she was forced to stop work. She applied for long-term disability benefits to replace part of her income, but the insurance company denied her application because they said she could still work.

She was concerned about her lost income, so she called Fields Disability for help. Our team contacted all our client’s doctors for updated medical records and for reports that specifically spoke to our client’s ability to work. Our attorneys kept our client updated at all steps and drafted a strong appeal to the insurance company based on the updated medical records. The insurance company did not reverse it’s decision and our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court. While prepping for a hearing, our attorneys agreed with the insurance company to mediate the claim, and ultimately Fields Disability attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was happy to be done fighting her insurance company, and was pleased with the diligent advocacy from Fields Disability.”