What You Should Know:
- A tech professional in Coral Gables, Fl suffering from retinal damage, memory impairment, dizziness, and mental health issues was initially approved for short-term disability (STD) benefits.
- Despite her continued inability to work after a brief attempt to return, her insurer failed to make a determination on her extended disability.
- Her doctors provided clear evidence of her ongoing disabling conditions, but the insurer neglected its fiduciary duty to issue a timely decision.
- Dabdoub Law Firm focuses exclusively on disability and life insurance claims and has a nationwide track record of success.
Approved for Short Term Disability Benefits, Then Ignored
After months of debilitating symptoms, a high-performing remote employee in the tech industry was approved by New York Life for short-term disability benefits. Her initial claim covered a period beginning in early 2024, after she became unable to perform her work duties due to worsening physical and mental symptoms.
While her condition was serious, she made a brave effort to return to work in mid-2025, determined to resume her career. However, that return was short-lived. By Fall 2025, her symptoms had worsened. She was again forced to leave her position, but this time for good.
Despite receiving extensive medical documentation and updates from her healthcare providers, New York Life has failed to acknowledge or respond to her ongoing disability claim.
Debilitating Symptoms and Failed Work Attempt
The claimant’s conditions are both physical and mental in nature. They include:
- Recurrent dizziness that made concentration and mobility difficult.
- Retinal tears affecting her vision and impairing her ability to read, use a screen, or engage in routine activities.
- Cognitive dysfunction, including memory impairment and difficulty processing information.
- Depression and anxiety, worsened by her declining health and inability to maintain work responsibilities.
While her determination to return to work is commendable, the short duration of her return, and her complete inability to resume duties since Fall 2025, reflects the severity of her conditions.
New York Life’s Fiduciary Duty in Long Term Disability Claims
Under ERISA, New York Life has an obligation to act in the best interest of claimants and beneficiaries. This includes:
- Communicating clearly about the status of claims.
- Considering all medical and non-medical evidence in a timely fashion.
- Avoiding unnecessary delay that could harm the claimant.
In this case, New York Life approved the initial disability period but ignored the continuation, despite being aware that the claimant has not worked in any capacity since Fall 2025.
It’s not just a delay; it’s a violation of NYL’s duty as a plan fiduciary.
A Record of Medical Support
This claimant’s providers have continued to submit medical documentation supporting her inability to return to work. While the symptoms are complex and overlapping, their impact is consistent:
- Her vision problems, stemming from retinal damage, prevent her from performing tasks that require screen use or prolonged focus.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness affect her mobility, safety, and ability to remain upright for long periods.
- Mental health symptoms severely limit her cognitive function, motivation, and capacity for occupational stress.
Together, these symptoms render her unable to reliably and consistently perform the material duties of her occupation, or any occupation, on a full-time basis.
Holding New York Life Accountable
Disability insurers often attempt to exploit the “gap” between a first approved claim and a subsequent period of continued disability. When a person attempts to return to work but is unable to sustain that return, insurers sometimes treat the second period as a new and unrelated claim.
But that’s not how short-term and long-term disability works.
A failed work attempt does not erase the reality of a claimant’s disability. In fact, under many long-term disability policies, a short return to work that ends due to the same disabling condition should be treated as part of the same ongoing claim. This is called a recurrent disability.
By refusing to acknowledge the continued period of disability, New York Life is not only avoiding its fiduciary duty; it is also misapplying the terms of the policy.
Successful Approval of Disability Benefits
We were brought into the case to get our client’s disability claim approved. The attorneys in our Coral Gables office provided documentation, kept New York Life informed, and met all procedural requirements. We continued to put pressure on the insurance company to approve benefits.
New York Life did what it was supposed to do, and our client was paid the disability benefits she is owed.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.