Background
Paula Maulolo held three positions as an Internal Medicine Residency Program Administrator, Organizational Development Consultant, and Medical Education Specialist. She also owned a jiujitsu dojo with her husband.
Chronic back and leg pain took over Maulolo’s life and restricted her ability to work. After several accommodations at work and numerous treatments with doctors, Maulolo applied for long term disability with Sun Life.
Sun Life rejected Maulolo’s claim stating that the “medical evidence does not support” that she was disabled from performing her own occupation. Maulolo appealed Sun Life’s decision with medical records from ten additional providers. Sun Life again denied Maulolo’s appeal claiming she failed to prove her disability during the elimination period—the time period between when she stopped working and when her LTD benefits would begin.
The Court’s Decision
The Montana Court found that the medical evidence supported Maulolo disability. Specifically, the Court held that the evidence showed she was no able to perform the duties her job, as required under the disability insurance policy.
The Court also rejected Sun Life’s argument that Maulolo’s record lacked any objective evidence of functional impairment. The Court noted that in chronic pain cases, Courts have found objective evidence is not required. Thus, the Court held that a lack of objective evidence in not a good enough reason to deny disability benefits.
Disability Insurance Companies Have Lawyers. Shouldn’t You?
Because this law firm was created to focus on disability insurance, 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 that has attorneys who:
- Are experts in disability claims;
- Fought all major disability insurance companies and know their tactics;
- A track record of success;
- Won major disability lawsuits that created good law; and
- 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.
Call to get experienced disability lawyers on your side 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 Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
