Health Issues Ending a Man’s Career
Mr. X faced a challenging ordeal when he was forced to leave his job as a Quality Manager at Isometric Micro Molding, Inc. In February 2022, he experienced frequent and intense migraine episodes, compounded by blood pressure spikes and low pulse. These symptoms often sent Mr. X to the emergency room. Consequently, he applied for and received short-term disability (STD) benefits, hoping his medical leave would be brief.
In his early 40s, Mr. X had previously overcome significant medical hurdles. In March of 200, he experienced a spinal cord injury that resulted in complete paraplegia. Despite this setback, he continued working. His more recent health issues, however, were a different situation altogether. The relentless headaches and autonomic dysreflexia persisted, pushing Mr. X to apply for and secure long-term disability (LTD) and waiver of life premium (WOLP) benefits.
Mr. X's struggle intensified as he underwent numerous tests and consultations with specialists. Ultimately, he received a diagnosis of superficial siderosis (SS). This is a rare, progressive, and chronic neurological disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord. SS often leads to symptoms like hearing loss, motor issues, and movement abnormalities. The ailment stems from slow, repeated bleeding in the subarachnoid space of the brain.
Further examinations revealed that Mr. X also had a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak, which exacerbated his symptoms. Despite undergoing three embolizations to address the CSF leak, Mr. X continued to endure chronic headaches, autonomic dysreflexia, fatigue, and cognitive impairments.
Mr. X's resilience in the face of these overwhelming challenges is a testament to his enduring spirit, but his battle with these debilitating conditions continues.
A Baffling Decision
Inexplicably and contrary to medical evidence, Unum terminated Mr. X's long-term disability (LTD) and waiver of life insurance premium (WOLP) benefits. Despite multiple healthcare professionals' clear documentation of Mr. X’s progressive and chronic condition, Unum's decision disregarded the severity and persistence of his symptoms.
This unanticipated termination in August 2023 left Mr. X in a vulnerable position, stripping him of critical financial support during his ongoing struggle. The rationale behind Unum's decision remains unclear, especially given Mr. X's extensive medical history and the recommendations from his attending physicians. Mr. X's fight for fairness has thus extended beyond his health, and he faced the additional burden of contesting his benefit termination.
The Fight for Justice
When Mr. X faced the daunting challenge of having his benefits denied by Unum, he turned to Dabdoub Law Firm. The firm took on his case with unwavering commitment, determined to restore his rightful benefits.
Objective Evaluation
To solidify Mr. X’s case, the firm arranged for an independent neuropsychological evaluation (INE) with Dr. B. Dr. B's evaluation was thorough. It included a detailed medical history, an interview, a review of medical records, and an extensive battery of tests. The findings were crucial in proving Mr. X’s case.
Clear Evidence of Disability
Dr. B’s report painted a clear picture of Mr. X’s cognitive impairments.
The test data revealed substantial declines across multiple cognitive areas, including:
- Verbal Abilities - Significant decline in verbal abstract reasoning
- Visuospatial Skills - Deterioration in constructional skills, spatial organization, and visual-motor integration
- Cognitive Efficiency - Slowing in cognitive processing speed and limitations in working memory
- Executive Functioning - Reduced initiative and productivity, organizational skills, and efficiency in problem-solving
- Learning and Memory - Challenges in encoding new information and retrieving previously learned information.
Triumph in Adversity
Through their relentless efforts, Dabdoub Law Firm successfully forced Unum to reinstate Mr. X’s benefits. The firm’s dedication helped secure Mr. X’s financial stability. Mr. X’s story stands as a testament to the power of skilled legal representation and the importance of pursuing justice.
Disability Insurance Companies Have Lawyers. Shouldn’t You?
Our expertise in long-term disability claims means our clients have the backing of a law firm that has attorneys who:
- are experts in disability claims;
- fought all major disability insurance companies and know their tactics;
- a track record of success;
- won major disability lawsuits that created good law; and
- recovered millions of dollars in disability benefits.
All our lawyers commit every day of their legal career to helping people get disability benefits from MetLife, UNUM, Prudential, Northwestern Mutual, Hartford, CIGNA, and others.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we do not have to be located in your state to help. We help clients nationwide.
Call to get experienced disability lawyers on your side 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.
Dabdoub Law Firm has countless success stories just like Mr. X’s. If you are having trouble receiving your necessary, entitled benefits, reach out to us for a free consultation. You can contact us online or call our office at (800) 969-0488.
