Lincoln Disagrees with SSA in Shocking LTD Denial
When a bright, young 24-year-old in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had her career cut short by postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), chronic migraines, persistent-postural-perceptual dizziness, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, the Social Security Administration quickly approved her claim for SSDI benefits.
Lincoln, on the other hand, denied her claim for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, despite overwhelming evidence of disability. Due to the shocking, confusing, and inconsistent nature of this denial, the private wealth management transition specialist asked Dabdoub Law Firm for help.
A Constellation of Medical Conditions
Our client’s medical conditions affect her physical, cognitive, and mental health. She went from being a bubbly, driven young woman to someone experiencing lethargy, frequent hospital visits, and insurmountable disabilities. Due to the following symptoms, our client’s promising career was cut short:
- Chronic fatigue
- Anxiety and depression
- Balance problems
- Weakness
- Muscle fatigue
- Unstable walking
- Vertigo
- Muscle spasticity
- Speech difficulties
- Vision disturbances
- Pain and difficulty
- And more
When our client visited a neurologist, the doctor determined she was unable to fulfill the duties of any job, including sitting, standing, or walking for more than 2 hours per day and achieving the focus necessary to perform simple work tasks. Our client was diagnosed with POTS after a tilt table test, and this condition alone justifies a claim for LTD benefits.
Further, the way our client’s comorbid conditions interact intensify the nature of her disability. Despite seeing several specialists and undergoing a variety of therapies, our client has not recovered, nor is she able to return to work. The Social Security Administration rarely approves disability claims from claimants in their mid-twenties, but the evidence shows our client is disabled.
When Dabdoub Law Firm stepped in, we asked Lincoln: If Social Security has grasped the severity of our client’s condition, why hasn’t the insurance company?
Lincoln Ignores Medical Evidence
Lincoln denied our client’s claim based on 2 paper-based medical reviews, which reflect unsubstantiated opinions without supporting evidence. While Dabdoub Law Firm was able to provide medical records, physician statements, a symptom and migraine journal, and the viewpoints of those closest to our client, Lincoln failed to consider the combined effects of our client’s conditions.
Instead, Lincoln shirked its requirements under ERISA and failed to recognize what the medical evidence shows: if ever someone meets the criteria for disability benefits, it is our client. We gave Lincoln a second chance to award LTD benefits and avoid litigation. We are happy the insurance company decided to cooperate, thus securing our client’s future.
Disability Insurance Companies Have Lawyers. Shouldn’t You?
We created Dabdoub Law Firm to focus on disability insurance, and over the years, we have developed an expertise in this complex area of the law.
Our expertise in long-term disability claims means our clients have the backing of a law firm with attorneys who:
- Are experts in disability claims.
- Have fought all major disability insurance companies and know their tactics.
- Boast a track record of success.
- Have won major disability lawsuits and improved the law for claimants.
- Have recovered millions of dollars in disability benefits.
All our lawyers commit every day of their legal career to helping people get disability benefits from UNUM, MetLife, Prudential, Northwestern Mutual, Hartford, CIGNA, and others.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we do not have to be located in your state to help. We help clients nationwide.
Contact our firm today and get experienced disability lawyers to help you with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim,
- Appealing a long-term disability denial,
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement, or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Call us at (800) 969-0488for a free consultation with a disability attorney.
