Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, known for offering disability insurance, recently terminated the short-term disability (STD) benefits of our client. The decision was made despite substantial evidence supporting her continued disability. Dabdoub Law Firm fought to seek justice for our client whose claim was unjustly denied against the insurer’s fiduciary duties.
The Unjust Termination of Benefits
Reliance had initially accepted our client’s claim for STD benefits, acknowledging her disability. However, they later terminated these benefits without any evidence of improvement in her condition. On the contrary, our client's medical records indicated a progression of her symptoms since the initial approval. Our client, a 55-year-old woman, grapples with a complex array of medical conditions, including chronic migraines, intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal stenosis, neuropathy, paresthesia, and fibromyalgia. These conditions contributed to her chronic pain, frequent migraines, and brain fog, rendering our client incapable of engaging in meaningful work. Our firm provided legal representation in her appeal to Reliance Standard Life Insurance. We provided evidence of our client’s disability after an examination by an independent occupational therapist. The Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) affirmed the credibility of our client’s efforts and subjective reporting.
Personal Impact of Disability
The personal statements provided by our client and her husband paint a vivid picture of the profound impact her medical conditions have had on their lives. Their once vibrant and active life, filled with walks, entertaining, theme park visits, and vacations, has been replaced by pain, fatigue, and migraines. Sleep disruption from pain contributes to her brain fog and newfound depression. Plans are frequently canceled, and her husband has assumed most of the household responsibilities.
The Road Ahead: An Appeal for Justice
Considering the evidence of our client’s disability, we requested that Reliance promptly approve the appeal and issue unpaid retroactive benefits to our client. Our firm provided evidence that indicated our client was and remains disabled and is entitled to the continuation of benefits. We encouraged Reliance to uphold its fiduciary duties and avoid unnecessary litigation on this matter.
Help from a Lawyer with Expertise in Disability Insurance
This law firm was built to be a disability insurance law firm. That focus means:
- All of 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.
