PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

Warehouse Worker - Watertown, WI

Chronic Pain, Avascular Necrosis, General Nerve Pain

“Our client applied for long-term disability benefits with an insurance company provided by an employer. Our client’s long-term disability benefits were originally approved by the insurance company. The insurance company notified our client by an impersonal letter that it was terminating long-term disability benefits because our client’s chronic pain and avascular necrosis conditions did not have clinical findings that would support restrictions and limitations and did not believe our client was disabled according to the long-term disability policy’s definition of disabled.

After receiving the termination letter, our client reached out to the attorney’s at Fields Disability for assistance in appealing the insurance company’s decision. Once retained, the attorneys at Fields Disability collected all of our client’s medical records, obtained functional capacity evaluations from our client’s treating doctors, and also got our client’s doctors to draft reports verifying our client’s disability claim. The insurance company, in response to the appeal, issued a decision to uphold their prior determination to deny our client’s long-term disability benefits.

Unsatisfied with this outcome, and with the insurance company’s rational in their decision, the attorneys at Fields Disability filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client’s long-term disability benefits. Only a couple of weeks went by after the attorneys at Fields Disability filed the lawsuit when the attorney representing the insurance company asked about settling the case immediately. After some convincing negotiations on the part of the attorneys at Fields Disability, the case resolved, and our client received a nice settlement check.”

Power Line Maintenance Foreman - Murrells Inlet, SC

Foot, Neck, Head, and Shoulder Injuries

“A South Carolina man had a great paying job for a large construction company as a power line maintenance foreman. Unfortunately, he fell off of a catwalk suffering serious injuries to his foot, neck, head, and shoulders. He successfully filed a workers’ compensation claim and received benefits for two years.

At the time of his injury, he was incorrectly told by his employer’s human resources manager that he could not receive both workers’ compensation and long term disability benefits. Relying on the human resources manager’s statement, he did not seek Long Term Disability benefits until his Workers’ Compensation benefits ran out two years after his injury. When he did apply to the insurance company for disability benefits, he was denied. The insurer stated that his long term disability policy required him to apply for benefits within a year and a quarter of his date of injury. He told the insurer about his human resources manager’s statement, but they still claimed he did not have a reasonable excuse for his delayed filing.

He turned to Fields Disability and our attorneys appealed the insurance company’s decision, arguing that they breached their fiduciary duty and made an improper claim denial. However, the insurer again denied our client’s claim, relying solely on the word of his employer’s human resources manager. Knowing that the basis for the decision was bogus, the attorneys at Fields Disability moved to file a lawsuit. Faced with our mounting litigation, the insurer soon agreed to a settlement. Our client was relieved to receive his check, and was soon able to focus on his recovery.”

Railroad Surveyor - Casey, SC

Heart Condition

“A 58-year-old man who worked for the railroad as a surveyor, developed a heart condition which resulted severe weakness and fatigue, and unfortunately, placed him at extreme risk of myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. The job of a surveyor is highly risky because the job requires consistent standing and walking, and perhaps more significantly, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling objects in excess of 60 lbs. He also has to constantly walk and stand, and frequently climb, which places extreme stress on his heart. Shockingly, despite his condition and his physically demanding job description, the disability carrier refused to grant disability payments and told him he had no choice but to continue working, despite the extreme risk to his health.

Having never worked with attorneys before, he reluctantly hired Fields Disability, who comforted him and guided him through the process of filing an appeal of his long-term disability denial. The Fields attorneys worked with medical providers, collected and assembled all medical records and supportive reports, and filed an appeal. The disability carrier reversed its denial and awarded long-term disability payments. This client was grateful as he is now in recovery, and hoping to return to work; but, importantly, has the necessary finances to meet his needs.”

Professor - Portland, OR

Depression, Anxiety, PTSD

“Our client was an Art Professor in Portland, Oregon. She had struggled with her mental health for years, and eventually needed to leave work to focus on her recovery. She submitted a claim to Liberty Mutual for Long Term Disability benefits, but her claim was denied. The insurance company had one of its doctors review her claim. The doctor, who was on Liberty’s payroll, stated our client was capable of performing her job as an Art Professor.

Unsure what to do, she hired Fields Disability for help getting the denial overturned. Our attorneys thoroughly reviewed the insurer’s claim file and determined several errors were made. The attorneys then secured medical evidence and letters of support from our client’s therapist and doctor. The appeal strongly supported our client’s claim and entitlement to benefits. After a short review, the insurance company agreed to open the claim and pay our client all outstanding benefits.”

Food Production Supervisor - Peru, IN

Shoulder Surgery, Anxiety, Neuropathy

“A food production supervisor from Indiana began losing feeling in his feet and could no longer walk. His shoulder had needed surgery multiple times and was hurting again, as well. His combined symptoms made work at a food production facility impossible. He stopped work and applied for long-term disability benefits through his insurer at work. The insurance company paid him monthly benefits for two years, but stopped because he no longer fit their definition of disabled. He filed an appeal with the help of his wife but the insurer did not change its decision.

Worried about his lost income and mounting bills, he called Fields Disability for help. Our support staff obtained the entire claim file from the insurance company and Fields Attorneys determined our client had a good case for a lawsuit. We filed a lawsuit in federal court to fight for our client. During preparation for a hearing, our attorneys negotiated a generous lump-sum settlement. Our client was overjoyed with the settlement, and pleased to be done fighting with his insurance company.”