On April 7, 2010, the ABC Good Morning America (“GMA”) show once again presented a story exposing the desperate actions of the Hartford Insurance Company. Disability insurance companies are notorious for using video surveillance. Hartford is one of the country’s largest long-term disability carriers.

Click here to continue reading Hartford continues to use video

Shirley Graham, an employee with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) who participated in a long-term disability plan administered by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. (Hartford), brought her case recently before the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. Her appeal raised three issues: 1) Did the District Court rule correctly that her disability

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently rendered a very difficult decision in favor of Hartford Insurance Company dealing with the interpretation of pre-existing condition clauses in long-term disability income policies.
Continue Reading Third Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Hartford’s Denial Of Long-Term Disability Claim Based on Pre-Existing Condition Defense

It is vital that you hire the right long-term disability firm to represent you. Debra Swanson had to learn this the hard way, as a recent ruling in the Fifth Circuit court of Appeals in the Southern District of Texas demonstrates. How did Swanson’s attorney fail her? Her counsel failed to file a proper appeal.
Continue Reading Texas Court Rules That Hartford Wins Long-term Disability Case, Claimant Failed To Exhaust Administrative Remedies

Aside from the fact that many disability insurance companies already have a conflict of interest for being both the administrator of benefits and the entity that decides whether or not an employee qualifies for disability insurance, there are some cases in which it appears that insurance companies simply decide they don’t want to pay disability benefits.
Continue Reading Texas Court Reverses Hartford’s Unreasonable Denial Of Disability Benefits To A Hospital Employee

Karen Bloom was a partner and doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rehabilitation Associates in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1999, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In 2002, she decided to perform most of her work on an outpatient, rather than inpatient basis.
Continue Reading Doctor With Multiple Sclerosis Awarded Long-Term Disability Benefits From Hartford

Robert Montour worked as a telecommunications manager for Conexant Systems for approximately 37 years. He was insured under Conexant’s group disability plan, which was funded and administered by Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company. In July 2003, Montour filed for disability due to acute stress disorder, and his claim was approved in January 2004 following the plan’s 180 day elimination period.
Continue Reading California Court Orders Hartford To Pay Long-Term Disability Benefits To A Telecommunications Manager

Robin Plummer, a pharmacist for Kmart Corporation, was insured under the company’s group disability plan administered by Continental Insurance Company. In 2003, Hartford Life Insurance Company took over administration of the plan.
Continue Reading Hartford’s Attempt to Deny Disability Benefits Based on Video Surveillance is Reversed on Appeal

Donald Holman, a maintenance technician for Tyson Foods Inc., was insured under Tyson’s group disability plan with Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. In April, 2001, Mr. Holman began experiencing headaches and blurred vision. After a cranial MRI, Mr. Holman’s neurologist diagnosed him with a Chiari malformation. Mr. Holman’s neurologist stated he was disabled and Mr. Holman stopped working and filed a claim for long-term benefits.
Continue Reading Hartford Ordered to Pay Disability Benefits