A Jacksonville man who worked as a truck driver was diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors were successful in removing the cancer, but the procedure left him with severe, uncontrollable, and unpredictable incontinence and diarrhea. Not a day goes by when he does not have several bathroom emergencies with a high risk of soiling himself.
Reliance approved his long term disability benefits, only to terminate them later. Dabdoub Law Firm was able to challenge Reliance’s early termination of his benefits, prove our client’s permanent disability, and get the benefits reinstated.
Details of the Severe Incontinence Case
If there was ever a case where long term disability benefits were absolutely necessary, this might be the one. Our client survived colon cancer due to a hemicolectomy but was left with chronic diarrhea that gave literally no forewarning when a bowel episode would occur. Keeping a record of his bowel movements, our client revealed he would often need to use the restroom for 20 minutes at a time, eight or more times a day. The frequency of soiling himself was also high.
He felt completely embarrassed and disabled from his condition, which has resisted all prescribed treatments. Day-to-day activities we all take for granted became impossible because he could not be away from a toilet for long.
Reliance first approved of his long term disability benefits. Without warning and with absolutely no improvement to his medical condition, though, Reliance terminated his benefits, leaving him financially stranded. The insurance company seems to have relied entirely on stretches of the medical imagination to argue that he could return to work in any capacity.
Indeed, Reliance’s own physician who reviewed our client’s medical record inferred that incontinence could strike him unexpectedly as often as once every 20 minutes. There is no occupation conceivable that can be held with such frequent and severe restrictions.
With a careful examination of the medical evidence and a clear argument as to why our client’s chronic diarrhea is so dramatically disabling, Reliance was convinced to reverse the termination of his LTD benefits. Today, he is once again receiving benefits and doing his best to try to live a comfortable life in his own home.
Lawyers with Experience in Disability Insurance Claims
Dabdoub 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 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 with disability claims governed by federal law. Even if we are not located in your state, we can help.
Call (800) 969-0488 to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.
