Cancer Survivor in Orlando, FL Wins LTD Appeal After LINA Termination

What to Know:

A former high-earning hospitality executive was left permanently disabled after surviving Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma and aggressive chemotherapy.
Despite previously approving his disability claim for seven years, LINA (Life Insurance Company of North America) abruptly terminated benefits with no change in condition.
A powerful appeal, backed by independent evaluations and medical specialists, forced LINA to reevaluate the case.
Dabdoub Law Firm built a compelling case rooted in objective evidence and legal precedent, securing continued LTD benefits for the client.

Surviving Cancer But Not the Insurance Company

A top-performing professional in the hospitality industry rebuilt his life after a devastating diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma. With a thriving sales career and a six-figure income, his future was bright. But after six rounds of high-intensity BEACOPP chemotherapy, he was left with permanent damage: chronic fatigue, neuropathy, severe pain, and cognitive impairments commonly referred to as “chemo brain.”

His ability to work physically and mentally was gone. He applied for long-term disability benefits, and for seven years, the LINA paid as expected.

Then, without warning, LINA terminated benefits in April 2025, arguing that the claimant had miraculously recovered and could now return to full-time work. The only problem? Nothing had changed.

The Long Term Disability Termination Was Unsupported and Unreasonable

The insurer’s decision ignored its own prior assessments, which had acknowledged the claimant was disabled under the policy’s strict “any occupation” standard. It also disregarded the very language of the policy, which defines disability as the inability to:

Perform the material duties of any occupation for which the claimant is qualified, and
Earn 80% or more of pre-disability indexed income.

The policy’s earnings threshold is key. In this case, it meant identifying a job that paid over $24,000 per month—a figure supported by the claimant’s past earnings. LINA’s prior vocational assessments had already concluded that no job met both the functional limitations and wage requirements.

So why the sudden change in 2025?

LINA offered no reasonable explanation: just a new, self-serving interpretation of the policy. But the legal precedent is clear: both elements of the definition must be satisfied, and courts routinely strike down benefit terminations that ignore the earnings threshold.

Independent Medical Evidence Proved the Case

To secure reinstatement, Dabdoub Law Firm submitted a comprehensive appeal, including:

Two-Day Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

Conducted by a licensed physical therapist.
Found the claimant unable to sit more than 3 hours per day, far below the 6-hour minimum for sedentary work.
Confirmed worsening stamina, strength deficits, and functional decline.

Independent Validation Report of the FCE by Occupational Therapy Expert

Verified the FCE's validity.
Concluded the claimant could not meet the demands of any full-time occupation due to declining capacity over consecutive workdays.

Medical Records Review by Oncology Expert

A Harvard-educated oncologist affirmed the claimant’s disability was permanent, stemming directly from chemotherapy.
Confirmed no signs of exaggeration or malingering.

Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation

Showed significant cognitive decline since the last evaluation in 2021.
Documented impairments in memory, reasoning, executive function, dexterity, and processing speed.
Confirmed the claimant could not reliably function in any role—especially one requiring complex decision-making or high stress.

Letters from Treating Providers

Multiple board-certified specialists, including an oncologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, cardiologist, and primary care provider, all supported ongoing disability.
Their assessments were consistent: the client would never be able to return to work in any capacity.

Even Social Security Agreed Our Client is Disabled

The Social Security Administration also approved the client’s SSDI claim. Without needing to go to hearing, the SSA concluded the claimant was totally and indefinitely disabled from work.

This provided even more credibility to the appeal and undermined LINA’s flawed decision to terminate benefits.

LINA Was Given One Last Chance to Do the Right Thing

Dabdoub Law Firm emphasized that this appeal represented the insurer’s final opportunity to conduct a full and fair review, as required under ERISA. Every piece of evidence pointed to the same truth: this claimant was permanently disabled by the treatment that saved his life.

Litigation was not necessary, unless LINA refused to correct its mistake.

A Message for Cancer Survivors and High-Earning Professionals

This case is a powerful reminder: remission does not mean recovery. Many cancer survivors are left with debilitating long-term side effects that disability insurers are quick to ignore.

If you are no longer able to work, whether in sales, hospitality, tech, or another demanding field, and your long-term disability benefits were wrongfully denied or terminated, you have options. Don't let the long term disability insurance company rewrite the rules just to protect its bottom line.

Need Help Appealing a Disability Denial or Termination?

At Dabdoub Law Firm, disability insurance is all we do. We've taken on every major insurance company and won. We know how to hold insurers accountable when they change course without justification.

Whether you're facing the aftermath of cancer, a complex chronic illness, or a cognitive decline, we build airtight cases using objective evidence, legal precedent, and expert advocacy. Let us fight for the benefits you deserve.

We can help by:

You do not pay unless we win your case. Call to speak with an expert attorney today.

Cancer Survivor in Orlando, FL Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Sudden Termination by LINA