PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

Compliance Analyst - Boynton Beach, FL

Breast Cancer, Shoulder Tendinitis, Back Pain

“A compliance analyst had to stop work when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She applied for long-term disability benefits and was approved. After receiving weekly radiation treatments and undergoing a lumpectomy, her cancer went into remission. Shortly after her radiation treatments ended, she had a car accident which severely injured her shoulder. The insurance company denied benefits saying that she no longer fit their definition of disabled. She applied the decision but the denial stood.

The woman could not use her right arm at all and was worried about her lost income. She called Fields Disability for assistance. Our attorneys combed through the medical records and the insurance company’s file. Our team called our client’s physicians and obtained updated reports. Fields Disability submitted a second appeal for our client, but the insurance company didn’t budge.

Our attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court. During preparation for a hearing, Fields attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was overjoyed to be through fighting her insurer and was grateful for the professional advocacy from Fields Disability.”

IT Specialist - Traverse City, MI

TBI

“Not long after getting his dream job as the director of information technology with a large international business, our client was involved in a car-on-motorcycle collision, which resulted in him striking his helmeted head on the road pavement at freeway speed. Miraculously he spent only a brief period in the hospital and then was released. When he returned to work, however, he began experiencing excruciating headaches and cognitive issues.

He kept his difficulties to himself and continued to do his job. Eventually, however, other employees began to notice that he was slurring his speech and could not track information and numbers and shortly thereafter his employers told him he would need to take leave to care for his medical needs.

He applied for disability and, despite the medical support from his doctors, the disability carrier upheld his denial. The disability carrier reasoned that because he had worked for several months without making complaints to anyone, he wasn’t disabled.

He then hired the Fields Disability and our attorneys reached out to medical providers and obtained records, which clearly documented cognitive difficulties and impairment, and filed an appeal. The disability carrier reviewed the appeal and determined that it would reverse its denial and began making disability payments. This client earnestly wishes to go back to work but will need some time to work through his cognitive issues, and is very appreciative that he now has the money to sustain himself through that period of therapy and healing.”

Delivery Driver/Sales Representative - Browns Summit, NC

Back Pain, Complications from Back Surgery

“After a delivery driver from North Carolina had spinal fusion surgery, he tried to return to work but the pain was too great. He exhausted his short-term disability benefits and applied for long-term benefits through Sedgwick. Despite a report from his doctor that his condition was worsening, Sedgwick denied his claim for long-term disability benefits.

Frustrated and scared that his income was in jeopardy, he contacted Fields Disability for help with an appeal. Fields attorneys compared doctors’ recommendations to our client’s job description. Our client’s doctors were recommending that he should not lift more than ten pounds, but his job description said he was required to lift more than fifty pounds regularly.

Additionally, Sedgwick ignored the doctor who advised that our client’s condition was worsening. Fields Disability attorneys compiled the medical evidence and submitted an appeal to Sedgwick. The insurance company ultimately overturned their decision and our client was enjoying his monthly long-term disability benefits. He was impressed with our attorneys’ professionalism and is working with them to submit an application for Social Security Disability benefits.”

Quality Control Inspector - Berwick, LA

Sciatica, Back Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease

“A quality control inspector at a metal shop in Louisiana began having serious back pain in 2016. He had an MRI and his doctor discovered multiple bulging disks in his back, likely due to a degenerative disk disorder. He experienced severe pain radiating down his right leg, and was unable to walk a few feet without pain. He was forced to quit work and applied for long-term disability benefits through Mutual of Omaha, but was denied. The insurance company determined that his job was “light duty” and that he was still capable of performing his job responsibilities.

Shocked with the decision and frightened by his sudden lack of income, he contacted Fields Disability for help with his appeal. The lawyers at Fields Disability closely examined our client’s medical record and found that Mutual of Omaha disregarded a key report. One doctor stated that the employee should be considered disabled from his own occupation right in his medical report and Mutual of Omaha did not consider this statement in its analysis. After compiling additional treatment records, our attorneys filed the appeal.

The insurance company agreed that there was an error in their original decision and granted our client back-pay and continued benefits. Our client was happy to have the means to continue treatment and relieved to be done fighting against the insurance company. ”

Warehouse Worker and Forklift Operator - Montgomery, MS

Intractable Migraines

“A Mississippi man who worked in a warehouse and drove a forklift suddenly developed excruciating, intractable migraine headaches. His headaches, at times, became so penetrating he couldn’t see straight nor maintain his balance, and would frequently need to sit down until these terrifying episodes would go away. His doctors ordered MRI scans which did not reveal abnormalities in his brain. Bravely, he continued with his job but, eventually, out of fear of hurting fellow co-workers, not to mention damaging one of the businesses few forklifts, he filed for disability with The Standard who, thankfully, granted disability payments for a period of time. After a medical review and discovering a lack of abnormal findings on MRI or CT scans, The Standard made the decision to discontinue benefits and cease disability payments.

He needed help working with the insurance company and came to Fields Disability. Our attorneys gathered supporting documentation from his medical providers, and built a flawless case to support his claim for long-term disability benefits. Our team of attorneys presented an appeal asserting that The Standard selectively ignored evidence in his records and failed to properly recognize his client’s debilitating migraines, which qualified him as disabled under the policy. The Standard overturned its decision, granting the long-term disability benefits he deserved. He was happy with the result and soon began to receive regular checks in the mail.”