Even though a man in Oakland, California, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and several other serious health conditions, Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (Reliance) did not believe that he should be provided long-term disability benefits. Attorney Geannina Burgos of Dabdoub Law Firm took the lead on this case, arguing that he is more than qualified for the benefits that he was owed as outlined in the insurance policy. Reliance backed down and granted the benefits before we had to take them to court.
Details of the Patent Agent’s Disability Case
Our client worked as a patent agent and planned to do so until his retirement. However, in early 2024, he was forced to stop working due to a constellation of health conditions that left him with various disabilities and difficulties.
He was diagnosed with:
- Crohn’s disease
- Osteoporosis
- Levator ani syndrome (LAS)
- Chronic back pain
Oftentimes, being diagnosed with just one of these health conditions can be enough to justify a long-term disability claim. Furthermore, the diagnoses were verified with diagnostic testing, physical examinations, and independent specialist examinations. All the medical evidence pointed toward his disability and dysfunction, including but limited to chronic pain, fatigue, and the inability to sit, stand, or walk for a prolonged period of time.
Despite everything that he was dealing with, our client was surprised that Reliance rejected his claim for LTD benefits. He came to Dabdoub Law Firm for help, and Attorney Burgos took the lead for his case.
Medical Evidence Shuts Down Reliance’s Denial
How could Reliance not agree that multiple diagnosed and verified disabling conditions justified our client’s disability claim and its benefits? The logic simply did not add up, so Attorney Burgos dug into the details of his medical records. In a challenge letter sent to Reliance, Attorney Burgos summarized statements and medical notes from several of our client’s healthcare providers.
- An endocrinologist explained how the steroid use to manage his Crohn’s disease likely contributed to the severity of his osteoporosis, as well as saying that he “cannot sustain work” due to the need for frequent breaks.
- An internist noted that a variety of treatment attempts failed to provide significant relief for our client’s “prolonged symptoms” and pain.
- A pelvic floor therapist detailed some of the complications of his comorbid conditions with a specific focus on how LAS and Crohn’s disease can be worsened by prolonged sitting.
- A pain management specialist completed a comprehensive evaluation after more than 12 weeks of physical therapy and other treatments, concluding that “the therapy was either not well tolerated by the patient or did not yield substantial improvements in the patient’s condition.”
- A gastroenterologist concluded that our client’s “Crohn’s disease, combined with pelvic floor dysfunction and osteoporosis, results in daily debilitating symptoms […].”
Was it more likely that at least five medical experts were wrong about the disabling nature of our client’s comorbid health conditions? Or was it more likely that Reliance got it wrong when denying his claim? We successfully argued that Reliance got it wrong and succeeded without having to take the insurance company along with our client to court, saving him time and energy.
Lawyers with Expertise in Disability Insurance Claims
This law firm has always focused only on disability insurance law. Because we specialize in long-term disability, our clients get the benefit of:
- Having an attorney who is an expert in long-term disability claims;
- Having an attorney who has experience with every major disability insurance company; and
- Being backed by a law firm that has a proven track record of winning tough disability lawsuits.
Call the Dabdoub Law Firm to get experienced disability lawyers on your side. We can help 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.
The firm represents clients nationwide with disability claims governed by federal law, even if we are not located in your state.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.