As a professional staff nurse, Ms. X was on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She first contracted the illness in October 2021. After contracting COVID-19 a second time in June 2022, Ms. X failed to fully recover from COVID-19 and was forced to resign from her position on July 5, 2022.
In addition to brain fog, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, depression, chronic headaches, and vertigo, Ms. X also suffers from psoriatic arthritis, chronic pain, and a collapsed trachea. Among other procedures, she has a medical history that includes two rotator cuff repairs, ankle surgery, and foot surgery.
Concerned with her cognitive abilities, Ms. X submitted to a cognitive evaluation performed by Dr. Lindsey A. Groves, Psy.D. The evaluation resulted in a diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder due to multiple etiologies and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Dr. Groves noted that Ms. X “demonstrated specific deficits in complex processing, executive functions, attention, and visual immediate and delayed memory. Verbal memory and simple processing skills were intact. Verbal fluency was mildly impaired.”
Regarding her physical health, Dr. Daniella M. Schwartz—a rheumatologist and internal medicine physician—determined that Ms. X could only stand or walk for fewer than two hours at a time and sit for four hours at a time. Dr. Schwartz also concluded that Ms. X frequently experiences a moderately severe level of pain and/or numbness, has severe relapsing polychondritis, and a life-threatening airway involvement.
A Disability Claim Denied
Due to her cognitive and physical disabilities, Ms. X is unable to work—even in a sedentary occupation. She filed a claim for long-term disability (LTD) benefits with Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA), but her claim was denied on June 5, 2023.
She sought a better outcome, however, so she consulted with Dabdoub Law Firm for help.
A Law Firm Takes Action
When Ms. X came to us for help, our firm took swift action to help her seek a better outcome. We sent a demand letter to LINA, urging its representatives to reconsider the insurance company’s decision.
After demonstrating the facts of Ms. X’s situation and the reality of her total disability, as it pertained to the terms of her policy, we stressed that legal action wasn’t necessary to resolve this issue, but whether it came to litigation was LINA’s decision to make.
Because of our quick and decisive action, we helped Ms. X obtain the LTD benefits she needs to move forward.
Help from a Lawyer with Expertise in Disability Insurance
This law firm was built to be a disability insurance law firm. That focus means:
- All of our lawyers specialize in disability insurance claims.
- We have experience with every major disability insurance company.
- We have won important long-term disability lawsuits.
Our disability lawyers can help you with:
- 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.
Hiring an experienced disability attorney is important. Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, our lawyers do not have to be located in your state.
Call (800) 969-0488 to request your free consultation with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.
