What to Know:
- A Senior Sales Director in Boca Raton developed severe symptoms from Lyme disease and related conditions that made working impossible.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield denied her long-term disability claim based on a filing issue and disputed when her disability began.
- A detailed legal appeal supported by medical evidence and case law led to approval and full backpay of benefits.
- Dabdoub Law Firm focuses exclusively on disability insurance claims and has extensive experience helping clients nationwide overturn wrongful denials.
When a High-Performing Career Is Cut Short by Lyme Disease
Our client built a successful career as a Senior Sales Director in Boca Raton, Florida. She thrived in a role that required constant communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to stay mentally sharp throughout long, demanding days.
In early 2024, everything began to change.
She started experiencing a range of symptoms that gradually became impossible to ignore. What first felt like fatigue and brain fog quickly escalated into something much more serious. She was dealing with cognitive dysfunction, hypersomnia, chronic fatigue, inflammation, and widespread pain. As her doctors continued to evaluate her, the picture became clearer. Lyme disease, combined with mold exposure and Hashimoto’s disease, was driving a complex and debilitating condition.
Despite treatment efforts, her health continued to decline. Her treating physician warned that she would likely become fully disabled by the end of May 2024.
That is exactly what happened. By May 31, she could no longer keep up with the core demands of her job. Her symptoms made it impossible to think clearly, stay alert, or maintain the level of performance her role required. She was ultimately terminated because she could no longer do the job.
A Disability Claim That Should Have Been Straightforward
Like many professionals, she had long-term disability insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield. This was the safety net she had planned for, something meant to protect her income if her health ever forced her out of work.
She filed her claim expecting support.
Instead, she received a denial.
BCBS focused on a technical issue. The company claimed she had not filed her claim on time. What that decision failed to account for was the reality of her condition. The same cognitive issues and extreme fatigue that made her unable to work also made it difficult to keep up with administrative deadlines.
She tried to fix the situation on her own by filing an appeal, but without legal guidance, that effort was unsuccessful. At that point, she knew she needed help.
Taking a Closer Look at What Went Wrong
When Attorney Geannina Burgos and the team at Dabdoub Law Firm stepped in, they approached the case the way they always do by going back to the policy and the facts.
It did not take long to see that the denial did not hold up under closer scrutiny.
First, the policy’s own definition of total disability supported her claim. She had worked, paid into the policy, and now had clear medical evidence showing she could not perform her job.
Second, BCBS claimed she became disabled the day after she was terminated. That simply did not make sense. She was terminated because she was already disabled. Her medical records showed that her condition had been affecting her ability to work well before that date.
Finally, the insurer ignored how her cognitive symptoms impacted her ability to meet deadlines. That is not a small detail. It goes directly to the heart of why the claim was filed late in the first place.
Building a Strong, Straightforward Appeal
Instead of overcomplicating the case, Attorney Burgos focused on telling a clear and well-supported story.
The team gathered and submitted a comprehensive set of documents, including detailed medical records, physician opinions, and evidence of how her condition affected her daily functioning. Everything was organized and presented in a way that made the timeline and severity of her condition easy to follow.
They also relied on legal precedent to reinforce key points, especially the idea that insurance companies cannot rely on technicalities when the underlying disability is well documented. Courts have repeatedly recognized that cognitive impairments and serious medical conditions must be considered when evaluating missed deadlines and claim requirements.
By connecting the medical evidence with the legal standards, the appeal left little room for the insurer to maintain its position.
The Result: Disability Benefits Restored and Backpay Awarded
After reviewing the appeal, Blue Cross Blue Shield reversed its decision.
Our client’s long-term disability benefits were approved, and she received payment for the benefits that had previously been withheld. Just as importantly, this outcome was achieved without putting her through the stress of litigation.
For someone already dealing with a complex and exhausting medical condition, that mattered.
Why Cases Like This Matter
Lyme disease and similar conditions are often misunderstood, especially in the context of disability insurance. Symptoms can vary, fluctuate, and affect multiple systems in the body. That complexity can make it easier for insurance companies to question or minimize what someone is going through.
But as this case shows, the right combination of medical evidence and legal strategy can make all the difference.
It also highlights an important point. Disability claims are not just about diagnoses. They are about how those conditions actually affect your ability to do your job. When that story is clearly told and backed by evidence, it becomes much harder for an insurer to deny what is in front of them.
How Dabdoub Law Firm Helps Clients Nationwide
Dabdoub Law Firm represents clients across the country in long-term disability insurance claims and appeals. This is not one area of practice among many. It is the only thing we do.
We have taken on every major disability insurance company and built a proven track record of success, including cases in federal court. At the same time, we understand that not every case needs to go that far. When a strong, well-prepared appeal can resolve the issue, we focus on getting results as efficiently as possible.
Need Help Appealing a Disability Denial?
If your disability claim has been denied or you are struggling to get your benefits approved, you do not have to handle it on your own.
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.
We represent clients nationwide, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. Reach out today to speak with an experienced disability insurance attorney.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.