After a Philadelphia man’s short-term disability benefits were terminated early despite no remarkable improvement to his schizophrenia diagnosis, he turned to Dabdoub Law Firm for legal help. Attorney Emily Quirino, who took the lead on this case, handled all steps of the case for our client, including communications with Sedgwick, the claims management and loss adjustment company that acted on behalf of the original insurer. Following Attorney Quirino’s appeal that utilized ample medical evidence of his disability and inability to keep working because of them, the disability benefits were restored.
Details of the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Diagnoses
Our client worked as an application manager at a high executive level at Vanguard, an investment group. The job required his focus, intellect, and problem-solving skills, as well as his ability to work long hours—all of which became interrupted in late 2023 when he began to suffer a rapid and concerning mental health decline.
In December 2023, he was admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe paranoia and anxiety that made his father concerned for his health and well-being. After two weeks of mandatory hospitalization and observation, he was released and then diagnosed with schizophrenia. Medical evidence would come to conclude that he suffers from “paranoia, racing thoughts, inability to focus and concentrate, depression, and more,” amounting to significant cognitive impairment that prevents him from completing any sort of gainful employment.
Sedgwick Goes Back & Forth on Its Decisions
On December 22, 2023, our client filed for disability benefits through Sedgwick. In January 2024, Sedgewick evaluated his claim and approved it before the month was out, so everything seemed to be in order. However, to his surprise, Sedgewick sent another letter not even two months later stating that his short-term disability benefits would abruptly end because his medical record “does not support convincing documentation of a physical and/or psychiatric disability.” How such a conclusion was reached when no medical providers had reported that his mental health had noticeably improved is not known.
When the denial letter was received, it was brought to the attention of Dabdoub Law Firm, the country’s trusted name in disability claims and lawsuits. Our team dug into his medical records and easily found ample evidence and notes that suggested his inability to safely work due to psychological complications. For example, one note made during his 14-day hospitalization said he was “acutely unsafe outside of a locked and supervised facility.” Another medical expert suggested new and increased psychiatric medications and noted his “difficulty with concentration, attention, and difficulty sitting still for prolonged periods of time in order to achieve a task.”
Our client’s family even gave testimonials to describe his mental health decline since the incident in December. Several family members noted that he would suffer from panic attacks and calamitous paranoia, especially when thinking about the computer systems at his job and during the brief period he attempted to return to work. Unable to complete any job-related tasks with efficiency and a growing concern for his own mental health, he resigned.
Prepped for litigation if it became necessary, Attorney Quirino filed her appeal, complete with medical evidence and clear explanations of his disability—as well as a remark about the legal importance of acting in good faith as an insurance company. Thankfully, Sedgwick decided to reverse the early termination of his benefits, which could eventually qualify him for long-term disability if his psychiatric conditions do not improve with time.
Lawyers with Expertise in Disability Insurance Claims
This 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 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.
The firm represents clients nationwide with disability claims governed by federal law, even if we are not located in your state.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.
