PROVEN LAWSUIT RESULTS

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.”

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.”

Nurses Assistant - St. Johns New Brunswick, OR

Sudden Knee Pain, Fibromyalgia

“A Nurse’s assistant from Oregon had a minor twinge in both knees. Then, within two weeks, the pain flared up to a severe level. The nurse’s job required her to help lift and move patients, and be on her feet all day. Her condition forced her to stop working. Her insurance company granted long-term disability benefits and paid her for about four months. Then suddenly they sent her a letter stating that she could return to work so the benefits were denied. She appealed to the insurance company to no avail.

Worried about her lost income, she called Fields Disability for help. The attorneys at Fields began collecting medical records from multiple doctors and physical therapists to prepare for a final appeal. With the evidence strengthened, Fields attorneys sent a strong appeal to the insurer explaining that our client could no longer work as a Nurse’s Assistant. The insurance company agreed and our client received a lump-sum check for back pay, and monthly benefits through the end of the policy period.”

Registered Nurse - Pineville, LA

Depression, Narcolepsy

“A registered nurse from Louisiana started having uncontrollable drowsiness. He was consistently getting seven hours of sleep but the symptoms persisted. He tried reducing his hours and various medications but nothing helped. He was forced to stop working. He applied for short term disability benefits through his employer but was denied because, despite strong records from his neurologist, the insurance company said he did not have a specific test performed.

Upset and worried about his lost income, he called Fields Disability for help. Our attorneys gathered the claim file from the insurance company and medical records from our client’s doctors. Fields attorneys asked one of our client’s doctors for a summary of their findings and the doctor provided a letter saying the narcolepsy was lifelong and disabling. With strong supporting evidence, Fields attorneys filed an appeal to the insurer and the decision was overturned. Our client received a lump sum for short-term benefits and is now working with Fields Attorneys on a long-term disability claim. He is pleased with the professional advocacy Fields Disability continues to provide.”