An Illness Strikes
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious condition, and it is often misunderstood. People sometimes believe that it simply makes someone more tired than normal, but it’s much more than that. It can lead to cognitive dysfunction, sleep issues, problems with autonomic functions, pain, and more.
A recent client of ours was diagnosed with this ailment in 2018, rendering her unable to work. She had to leave her 23-year career working in various engineering disciplines.
Our client’s ME/CFS symptoms left her unable to continue sedentary work. The job requires mostly sitting, but that very sitting caused pain and complications for her. She applied for LTD, long-term disability, which she received. Without warning, she was told that her condition was no longer eligible for LTD, and she could work in “any occupation.”
An Insurance Company Turns Away Someone in Need
After initially approving our client’s LTD, CIGNA suddenly determined that she was fine and able to work in any field. They offered her a list of occupations they believed she could perform. In a move that borders on comedic, they included the very job that our client previously held. Essentially, the company concluded that our client could both perform and not perform her job.
The insurer was found to have conducted a flawed evaluation, performed by its paid doctor. These findings, unsurprisingly, were in stark contrast to the evaluations of our client’s doctors. The company’s evaluation deemed our client able to work, despite the fact that she used a stability device while being examined.
A Law Firm Steps Up
Often, our firm must remind insurers of their obligations. By law, they must operate in the best interests of their beneficiaries, not their stockholders. CIGNA’s bizarre justification for denying our client’s LTD was unacceptable, and we contacted them about it.
Within our communication, we included the various diagnoses our client received. Professionals concluded that our client could sit for only 30 minutes at a time for up to four hours. Similarly, she could stand in 30-minute intervals for up to one hour, and she could walk for only 50 minutes a day, up to one hour.
These conclusions and more were found in our client’s FCE, or functional capacity evaluation guide. The FCE is the most reliable evaluation for worker fitness to date, and it was completely ignored by the insurer.
Our communication worked. The insurance company wanted to avoid further legal action, and it appeared to be aware of its unscrupulous behavior. Relenting, it reinstated our client’s much-needed LTD benefits, helping keep her financially stable as she continues her treatment.
Help From a Lawyer with Expertise in Disability Insurance
Disability insurance law is complex, which is why you should hire an experienced disability attorney to handle your claim. Because all disability lawyers at this law firm focus on disability insurance claims, we have expertise in disability insurance law.
That means we have:
- Experience with every major disability insurance company.
- A proven track record of success in major disability lawsuits.
- Recovered millions of dollars in disability benefits for our clients.
Further, we never charge fees or costs unless our clients get paid.
Dabdoub Law Firm can help at any stage of your disability insurance claim, including:
- Submitting your disability insurance claim,
- Appealing a long-term disability denial,
- Negotiating your lump-sum settlement, or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, so our lawyers can represent clients across the country. No matter where you are located, we can help.
Call us at (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Consultations are free.
