What to Know:
- A longtime IBM employee in Georgia developed chronic, painful neuropathy following aggressive cancer treatment.
- Despite ongoing medical support and clear documentation of disability, MetLife denied her long-term disability (LTD) claim.
- The appeal revealed severe functional impairments, including debilitating fatigue, burning nerve pain, memory problems, and falls.
- With strong legal and medical advocacy, she challenged the insurer’s flawed decision and demanded a full review.
From Corporate Success to Chronic Pain
After nearly three decades in a high-performing role at a major technology company, this Georgia claimant built a reputation for reliability, focus, and leadership. She managed software brands and worked across departments, contributing to one of the most well-known global employers in the world.
But in 2022, she was diagnosed with cancer and everything changed.
She endured a lumpectomy, 19 rounds of chemotherapy, and 30 radiation treatments. While her cancer responded to treatment, the long-term effects were devastating. She developed severe peripheral neuropathy, a condition causing intense pain, burning, and numbness in the limbs. She also suffered from memory loss, concentration issues, and episodes of body tremors and falls.
Despite these symptoms, she attempted to keep working. But her health continued to deteriorate. Ultimately, she was forced to stop working and file for long-term disability benefits with MetLife under her employer-sponsored plan.
MetLife Ignores Her Primary Diagnosis
In February 2025, MetLife denied her LTD claim. The reason? The insurer claimed there was no medical evidence to support “restrictions and limitations” beyond a specific date while disregarding her primary disabling condition altogether.
The denial focused almost entirely on her mental health, ignoring the neurological damage caused by her cancer treatment. But as her treating neurologist made clear in a Disability Verification Letter, her disabling symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue and exhaustion
- Burning pain and numbness in the feet and legs
- Difficulty typing or using a computer
- Tremors and frequent falls
- Severe memory and concentration issues
- Reduced ability to handle daily change or stress
These symptoms were consistent, severe, and chronic, and they made full-time work impossible.
Her Treating Providers Unanimously Support Long Term Disability
Dabdoub Law Firm’s appeal submitted to MetLife was comprehensive. It included medical records from multiple providers, pharmacy documentation, and signed questionnaires from treating specialists. These providers had worked with the claimant for years and were in the best position to evaluate her condition.
Highlights from the medical evidence:
- Her neurologist confirmed she could not return to work due to pain, fatigue, and cognitive deficits.
- She has difficulty with daily tasks, including traveling, typing, and even focusing on conversations.
- Her condition has not improved, and doctors have consistently advised against returning to work.
- Her therapists and psychiatrist documented the emotional toll, including anxiety attacks and depression triggered by chronic pain.
Despite this overwhelming support, MetLife had never spoken to her providers—and chose to deny the claim anyway.
Her Own Words Tell the Story of Disability
As part of her appeal, the claimant submitted a powerful declaration and symptom diary detailing her daily challenges. She described how the constant pain, numbness, and fatigue had eroded not only her ability to work, but her quality of life.
She also explained how the insurer’s handling of her claim had made things worse, ignoring doctors, denying legitimate impairments, and delaying treatment progress.
MetLife Failed to Uphold Its Fiduciary Duties
Under ERISA, insurance companies like MetLife must act in the best interest of claimants. They are fiduciaries, legally required to conduct full and fair reviews, consider all medical evidence, and avoid decisions based on financial self-interest.
This case revealed serious deficiencies in MetLife’s review process:
- The insurer focused on mental health while ignoring the primary disabling condition: neuropathy.
- It dismissed physician statements without speaking to treating providers.
- It relied on internal reviewers instead of objective medical facts.
Using the statutory right to appeal, our appeal demanded that MetLife provide a timely and fair review of all evidence submitted and warned of legal action if it failed to do so. Within a reasonable amount of time, our client’s appeal was approved and she was paid the long term disability benefits she is due.
Dabdoub Law Firm: Experts in Disability Insurance Appeals
This case is not unusual. Insurance companies often deny legitimate long term disability claims by mischaracterizing evidence or ignoring key diagnoses. That’s why experienced legal help matters.
Dabdoub Law Firm is a national leader in long-term disability insurance claims.
- We represent clients in every state.
- We’ve gone up against every major insurance company and won.
- We’ve secured victories in federal court and high-stakes litigation.
- We focus exclusively on disability and life insurance claims.
If your long-term disability benefits were wrongfully denied, we can help you fight back.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.