In this article, I want to highlight, once again, the importance of rendering timely responses to correspondence from your long-term disability insurance company. I also want to highlight the importance of paying attention to statutes of limitations. A long-term disability case that came before the United States Court of Appeals 11th circuit recently highlights these issues.
The foundation of this case began back in 1999. Stuart S. Johnson, a participant in a group disability policy issued by Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum), applied for long-term disability benefits. Unum denied his application. The administrative appeals process allowed him to request review of the decision three times. Johnson appealed three times and was denied each time.