Dabdoub Law Firm Secures LTD Benefits for Charlottesville Client
After the Principal Life Insurance Company wrongfully denied her long-term disability (LTD) claim, our Virginia client turned to Dabdoub Law Firm to advocate for the disability benefits she rightfully deserves. Keep reading to learn more about this recent success in Charlottesville, VA.
Attorney Quirino Successfully Appeals on Behalf of Virginia Client
As a Senior Administrative Coordinator at MásLabor, our Virginia client took pride in her hard work for over 15 years. Sadly, her life completely changed in 2022 after she began experiencing severe fatigue, muscle weakness, pain, and cognitive difficulties, prompting her to seek treatment from numerous specialists.
Even after consulting various physicians for answers and undergoing a series of tests, treatments, and diagnostic imaging, our client’s search yielded little results and no relief. Even so, she powered through her debilitating symptoms to continue working.
It wasn’t until October 2022 that she was forced to step away from her career and apply for disability benefits, unable to continue in her current condition. That following month, she was hospitalized for widespread body pain and ultimately diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Further testing revealed that our Charlottesville client also suffers from fibromyalgia.
Recognizing the severity of her condition, Principal Life decided to approve our client’s LTD benefits claim in February 2023—only to terminate those benefits just a few short months later. Absurdly enough, Principal argued that she was capable of returning to work, despite the severity of our client’s worsening symptoms.
Extensive Medical Evidence Supports Our Client’s Eligibility for Benefits
Fortunately, Attorney Emily Quirino stepped in to advocate for her client’s eligibility for LTD benefits—a right she is not only entitled to, but desperately needs to maintain her dignity and improve her quality of life in her current condition.
“[My client] continues to suffer from chronic pain, muscle weakness, instability, cognitive difficulties, fatigue and more,” Attorney Quirino informed the insurer, pointing to a wealth of medical evidence to disprove Principal’s baseless termination.
In addition to extensive testing and treatments—including a series of MRIs and a functional capacity evaluation (FCE), which courts consistently uphold as “the best means of assessing an individual’s functional level”—our client’s treating physicians make it abundantly clear that their patient is incapable of returning to work. “[She] experiences considerable limitations in performing activities of daily living and engaging in gainful employment,” one specialist confirmed.
“The FCE and validation report provide objective evidence of how [my client’s] fibromyalgia and other symptoms prevent her from being a reliable and consistent employee,” Attorney Quirino concludes firmly.
Principal’s Termination of Benefits Was Wrong & Unreasonable
Fortunately, our disability insurance attorneys successfully appealed to Principal Life on our Charlottesville client’s behalf, reminding them of their fiduciary duties under ERISA law.
“Principal cannot rely on a flawed peer review that contains a disturbing pattern of disregarding and ignoring the abundance of evidence,” Attorney Quirino states, adding that Principal’s in-house doctor dismissed our client’s complaints of pain.
But the insurer’s appointed physician didn’t stop there, instead arguing that our client’s ability to “give a detailed history and corrections” of her medical records proves that she is not actually disabled—a ludicrous claim, given the wealth of evidence against it.
“[My client] has been suffering with her symptoms for over a year now,” Attorney Quirino says. “She has continuously sought treatment from numerous specialists in order to understand and manage her symptoms.”
In light of the substantial evidence of our Charlottesville client’s disability, Principal Life finally corrected their wrongdoing by approving her long-term disability benefits claim, allowing her to live the quality of life she deserved from the start.
Help from a Lawyer with Expertise in Disability Insurance
Disability insurance law is complex. Hiring an experienced disability attorney is important. Because all disability lawyers at this law firm focus on disability insurance claims, we proudly offer significant expertise in disability insurance law.
The Dabdoub Law Firm has:
- Experience with every major disability insurance company;
- A proven track record of success by winning major disability lawsuits; and
- Recovered millions of dollars in disability benefits for clients.
We never charge fees or costs unless our clients get paid. Our firm can help at any stage of your disability insurance claim, including:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; and/or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, our lawyers are able to represent clients across the country.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Consultations are free.
