Dabdoub Law Firm has been steadfast in our legal pursuit of justice for our Portland client struggling to recover from a stroke. Her access to short-term and long-term disability benefits were denied, and our firm worked with Sedgwick to negotiate a solution for our client. We started by notifying the insurer of our client's intention to contest their termination of her short-term disability benefits. When our firm initiated the latest communication, it was the client’s third attempt to claim the benefits she rightfully deserves.
Providing Concrete Evidence of Disability
In our pursuit of justice, we provided the insurer with additional proof substantiating our client's disability claim, including:
- Up-to-date Medical Records;
- Cognitive Linguistic Assessment Report;
- Personal Statements & Letter from Dr. McKenney
Sedgwick, by refusing our client’s claim, was neglecting their fiduciary responsibilities, prioritizing its self-interest over our client’s welfare. Instead of conducting an impartial review of our client's claim, Sedgwick appears more focused on reducing its liability. Prior to our client’s debilitating condition, she was gainfully employed as a senior claims specialist at United Health Group. A sudden stroke dramatically changed her life, stripping her of the capacity to perform her job effectively.
The Unjust Denial of Disability Benefits
Despite her determined efforts to resume her career, including undergoing intensive therapy and rehabilitation, she faced numerous obstacles. After nine months back at work, our client had no option but to leave her job again and file for Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits.
Our client was experiencing speech difficulties, impaired memory, decreased concentration, and an increased vulnerability to distraction and overwhelm – ultimately, she was informed by her physicians and medical staff she would be unable to continue working.
Despite initially approving her claim, Sedgwick abruptly terminated these benefits, wrongly implying that our 62-year-old client had fully recuperated from the stroke. This decision is unjustified and seems to stem from Sedgwick's sudden misunderstanding of the severity of our client's post-stroke condition.
Our client's primary care provider, Brenda McKenney, PAC, who has been with her for nearly a decade – both before and after the stroke – corroborated our client's condition. Dr. McKenney stressed that our client “has experienced a cognitive decline lately” and “is unable to perform her duties.”
By denying our client her rightful benefits despite clear evidence of her disability, Sedgwick has failed at their fiduciary responsibility to our client. The stroke our client suffered was a life-altering medical event that fundamentally changed her existence. It stole from her the basic ability to communicate, turning simple conversations into daunting tasks. We are proud to have worked alongside our client to secure the benefits she deserved, considering these challenging circumstances.
Help from a Lawyer with Expertise in Disability Insurance
Dabdoub Law Firm was built to be a disability insurance law firm. That focus means:
- All our lawyers specialize in disability insurance claims.
- We have experience with every major disability insurance company.
- We have won important long-term disability lawsuits.
Our disability lawyers can help you with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; and/or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Hiring an experienced disability attorney is important. Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, our lawyers do not have to be located in your state.
Call (800) 969-0488 to request your free consultation with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.
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