Long Term Disability Law BlogIn this video, disability lawyers Gregory Dell and Alex Palamara discuss Mr. Palamara’s recent win on appeal of long-term disability benefits from Cigna on behalf of a registered nurse who suffered from disabling back conditions including spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease. Shortly after Cigna’s decision to award benefits, it made a buy-out settlement offer.
Disability Attorneys Discuss Doctors and Their Tendency to Hide Their Disabling Medical Condition
In this video, attorneys Gregory Dell and Stephen Jessup talk about the difficulties doctors often face when applying for disability benefits. Many doctors are hesitant to admit they have a disabling condition. They fear it may affect their ability to sell their medical practice. They are also concerned about what may happen if patients discover […]
Disability Attorneys Talk About Large Disability Insurers and How They Process a Claim
In this video, Attorneys Gregory Dell and Victor Peña discuss trends with Disability Insurance companies. Insurers across the country seem to be getting stricter with their evaluation of claims. They are conducting more field interviews, more independent medical exams (IMEs), and using video surveillance. The goal seems to be to deny as many claims as […]
Washington Court Reverses Aetna Denial of LTD Disability Benefits for Boeing Employee with MS
In Sarah G. Gorena v. Aenta Life Insurance Company, Plaintiff was employed for 10 years as a staff analyst for Boeing when she sought disability benefits solely due to her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), although she had a number of other health issues. After being awarded several periods of short-term disability, in July 2015, […]
Aetna’s Denial of Disability Benefits Was Arbitrary and Capricious
In Mark v. Aetna Life Insurance Company and FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc., Plaintiff Julia Mark, an employee of FedEx Office, injured her neck, back, ankle, and left knee when she fell on a sidewalk. Her left knee continued to cause her pain. She filed a claim for short term disability benefits (STD) with […]
Court Rules Reliance Standard Claimant is Totally Disabled due to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
In this recent case out of California, the Plaintiff previously worked in IT for the Capital Group Companies. However, he was forced to stop working on February 2, 2011, due to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Through his employer, the former IT employee had long term disability coverage under a Policy with Reliance Standard. After applying […]
Court Orders Hartford to Reinstate Long Term Disability Benefits
In Kristen Reetz v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, the Western District Court for Seattle, Washington, granted Reetz’s motion for judgment, reinstating her long-term disability benefits that had been terminated by Hartford. As the Court commented, “Ms. Reetz’s medical history, as well as the facts behind Hartford’s termination of LTD benefits, are long and […]
Michigan Court Uphold Reliance’s Termination of Long Term Disability Benefits
In James Wilson v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, a Michigan District Court ruled in favor of Reliance and found its termination of long term disability benefits to plaintiff Wilson was not arbitrary and capricious. Plaintiff, an Air Force veteran, was employed by RCF Information System, a defense contractor, as a Programmer/Systems Analyst, a sedentary […]
Court Orders Aetna to Reinstate Long Term Disability Benefits
In Marie West v. Aetna Life Insurance Company, Plaintiff West, a contract administrator at Ciber Inc., fell down some stairs on October 22, 2007. She fractured her spine and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although she continued working for a time, by June 2008, she had to undergo a spinal fusion. After attempting unsuccessfully […]
Attorney Alex Palamara Is Successful in ERISA Appeal Against Lincoln Financial
In this video, Disability Insurance Attorneys Alex Palamara and Gregory Dell discuss the issues with a recent case in which Dell & Schaefer Attorney Alex Palamara was successful in an ERISA appeal for his client against Lincoln Financial. Mr. Palamara was able to prove the negligence of Lincoln Financial for failing to properly investigate a […]