PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

Truck Driver - Middletown, OH

Severe Back Pain

“Our client from Ohio was injured in a work accident that left him with severe back pain. The pain was so severe that it prevented him from performing his job as a driver, or any other job for that matter. He was initially approved for long-term disability benefits. Later, his long-term insurer reviewed his file and alleged that they had identified occupations which he could perform and was therefore no longer entitled to disability benefits.

Despite the insurance company’s claims, there was no way he would be able to continue working. He reached out to the attorneys at Fields Disability for help. His attorney at Fields obtained additional evidence and drafted a strong appeal which argued the decision by the insurance company was wrong. Upon review, the insurer again claimed that he could work. Once the appeal was denied, the client’s attorney immediately filed a federal lawsuit. After litigation, the case was eventually settled.”

Communications Coordinator - Woodbridge, VA

Severe Meniscal Tear, Hip Fracture

“A 51-year-old female, who worked as a communications coordinator, slipped and fell on some ice as she was walking through the parking lot after work. The ligaments and meniscus in her knee were torn and she sustained a fracture to her hip. Walking was out of the question. With help from coworkers, she made it home; but her injury was so severe that she ended up needing surgery, taking her out of work for several months. After surgery, she underwent physical therapy, but without success and eventually her doctor determined that her injury was permanent due to an inability to sit or perform any sedentary job for the foreseeable future.

She applied for short-term disability which was surprisingly denied but, perhaps more shocking, was that her denial letter reached her mailbox while she still was in the hospital convalescing from surgery. After a week in the hospital, she returned home to find the denial letter in her mailbox and was distraught and terrified, uncertain how she would meet the needs of herself and her family when she couldn’t even sit for more than 5 minutes at a time.

On her own, she attempted to persuade the long-term disability carrier to change its position, but it would not. Out of options, she hired Fields Disability to pursue her claim. Fields Disability immediately reached out to her doctor, obtained his medical records and an expert report supporting her disability, and filed suit. After some hard negotiations with the disability carrier, Fields Disability secured a settlement which included more than enough money for our client to meet her needs while she recovered from her injuries.”

Registered Nurse - Fremont, OH

Adhesive Capsulitis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Peripheral Neuropathy, Herniated Disc

“A registered nurse was forced out of work due to severe shoulder pain. At the time, she received 24 months of long-term disability benefits under the own occupation standard set out in her plan. During this time, she underwent a lengthy period of physical therapy and multiple surgeries to help remedy the pain she was experiencing without any success. Despite this, her insurance company terminated her benefits under the Any Occupation standard.

Anxious about lost income and her inability to work, she reached out to Fields Disability for help. Our team quickly ordered her claim documents and got her set up with an attorney to take her through the appeal process. Our attorneys presented a substantial amount of evidence from the client’s doctors that proved she could not obtain any gainful employment. Our client got approved for Social Security Disability, but was very frustrated when her long-term disability insurance company could not acknowledge her disability after exhausting all appeals. The Fields Attorneys did not give up on the client and filed a lawsuit on her behalf in federal court. Our attorneys negotiated a favorable settlement for the client through hard-fought negotiations. Our client was pleased with the results and was grateful for the diligence of the attorneys and staff and Fields Disability.”

Masters Level Counselor - East Windsor, CT

Crohn’s Disease, Chronic Exhaustion, Chronic Diarrhea, Chronic Nausea, Chronic Stomach Pain, Cognitive Difficulties, Anemia

“A woman from Connecticut had worked as a Masters Level Counselor for many years before succumbing to the symptoms of Chron’s Disease and leaving work. She suffered from chronic exhaustion, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, cognitive difficulties and anemia. She was insured for long-term disability and was approved for benefits upon her disablement. She remained on clam for three years until the insurer abruptly terminated her benefits, asserting that she could return to work in a different occupation.

They based their decision on some internal medical reviews which claimed she had lighter restrictions than what were provided by her own doctors. She knew she needed help appealing the denial decision and signed on with Fields Disability. Our attorneys quickly moved to gather updated medical records from all her doctors and secured supportive letter from her primary treating physician. The attorneys at Fields also orchestrated a vocational expert to compile a report concerning our client’s workability, which came back fully supportive. The Fields team then submitted the appeal of the insurer’s denial. Faced with mounting evidence supporting our client’s disablement, the insurer had no choice but to quickly overturn their prior decision, pay to date back benefits and reinstate future benefits.”

Program Coordinator - Fairmont, WV

Small Cell Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy, Double Vision, Brain Fog, Insomnia, Chronic Pain, Mobility Difficulties and Imbalance Issues

“A woman from West Virginia had worked as a Program Coordinator for a crime center. Unfortunately, she developed a progressive and complex case of Small Cell Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy in all four of her extremities. Eventually she was forced to leave work due to her symptoms which included perpetual Brain Fog, Double Vision, Insomnia, Severe Mobility Issues and Chronic Pain. She applied for long-term disability benefits and was approved. She remained on benefits for five months until the insurer cut them off with a denial letter.

The insurer based their decision on a letter they had sent to one of her physicians, asking if she could return to work. He had said she could. The woman signed up with Fields Disability to pursue her case against the insurance company. Our attorneys quickly determined that the doctor in question was not her primary treating doctor, but a specialist who didn’t have an accurate picture of the full spectrum of her conditions. Furthermore, our lawyers discovered that the insurer then had sent a wholly different letter to her primary physician attempting to get him to agree with the first doctor’s opinion.

Our attorneys quickly wrote to her doctors to straighten things out and confirm their opinions that our client was unable to work. Our team also gathered all of the recent medical records to support the appeal our attorneys were drafting. Fields Disability soon submitted a lengthy appeal to the insurer, supported by numerous exhibits. The insurer considered the appeal and soon overturned their prior denial decision. They then paid out back benefits and reinstated future benefits going forward.”