Resolved Cases:
CIGNA denies benefits after paying for 10 years, but Disability Attorney Stephen Jessup wins benefits for 60 year old client with fibromyalgia

For ten years our client was receiving long term disability benefits from CIGNA under an ERISA governed Group Disability Policy (Jaycor) due to a litany of medical conditions, which included Adult Onset Still’s Disease, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia and Fatigue. During the course of his claim and well prior to CIGNA’s termination of benefits, he had already met and passed the own occupation to any occupation definition change, had been approved for disability benefits by the Social Security Administration, and had even been approached by CIGNA on several occasions for a lump sum buy out of his policy. For all intensive purposes it would seem that at the age of 60 and the decade long history of his claim that CIGNA would not challenge the claim. However, CIGNA proved the adage that disability benefits are never guaranteed benefits.


Disability Blog & Cases:
California Court orders CIGNA to disclose amount paid to MES Solutions for medical reviews

CIGNA Insurance Company can run but they can’t hide. Recently, the US District Court for the Central District of California granted Plaintiff Bradley Wojno’s Motion to Compel Defendant CIGNA Insurance to reveal the extent of it financial relationship with MES Solutions. Mr. Wojno’s California disability attorney sought information from CIGNA that could unveil potential conflicts and biases of CIGNA’s hired gun doctors relied upon to terminate Mr. Wojno’s disability benefits.


Disability Blog & Cases:
Federal Judge orders Sedgwick Claims Management to pay disability benefits to PNC Financial Services Group, Inc’s Collection/Recovery Team Manager

Disability claimants need to be extremely cautious when dealing with Sedgwick Claims Management Service Inc. (Sedgwick). From our law firms’ experience of handling thousands of disability insurance claims, Sedgwick is one of the top three most difficult companies to deal with. Unfortunately, Sedgwick will capitalize on any opportunity to deny a claimant their disability benefits. This case discusses the unreasonable conduct used by Sedgwick to wrongfully deny disability benefits.


Disability Blog & Cases:
Standard Insurance Company’s attempt to dismiss disability insurance lawsuit is denied in-part by Florida Federal Judge

Disability claimant challenges Standard Insurance Company’s attempt to limit disability benefits to 24 months under the “Other Limited Conditions” provision.


Disability Blog & Cases:
Life Insurance Company Of North America denies disability benefits and battles claimant for 4.5 years in Federal Court

LINA should be embarrassed and show some respect for a former payroll clerk that had no ability to work due to numerous medical conditions. After litigating for more 4.5 years since her wrongful denial of disability benefits, Ms. Dupree finally received a ruling in her favor from the United States Court of Appeal. LINA fought this disability claim until there were no more courts left for them to appeal to. While, Ms. Dupree eventually won her disability benefits, it is sad that she had to battle for 4.5 years without any payment from LINA. LINA essentially left Ms. Dupree out in the cold. Unfortunately, Dupree’s only remedy is payment of her benefits, interest and attorney fees. This case is a prime example of the wrongful conduct by LINA and the exact reason that punitive damages should be allowed.


Disability Blog & Cases:
California Judge grants disability claimant’s request to investigate Hartford Life And Accident Insurance Company’s relationship with hired doctors

In Mary Carten vs. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, Group Long Term Disability Plan for Employees Of FMR Corporation, the plaintiff brought the civil lawsuit in a California Federal Court under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to challenge a denial of disability benefits made by the Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company (Harford). The plaintiff requested an opportunity to conduct discovery into Hartford’s claims handling practices in order to determine if Hartford’s wrongful denial her long term disability benefits was done with a conflict of interest. It is ironic that Harford denies disability benefits and then tries to do whatever they can to hide the existence of their financial relationship with the doctors they hire. Hartford is suppose to be the fiduciary of Ms. Carten. Hartford’s actions clearly suggest that they are not acting in the best interest of Ms. Carten.