Our client, a Senior Sales Manager for a large medical supply company, was suffering from severe spinal stenosis and an injury to her ulnar nerve following an epidural steroid injection. As a result of these disabling conditions, our client suffered from a multitude of physical problems, which included: loss of range of motion in the

Attorneys Dell & Schaefer has filed a long-term disability breach of contract lawsuit in federal court against Conneticut General Life Insurance Company (“Connecticut General”) seeking lifetime disability benefits. Our client, a former floor trader on the American Stock Exchange, was disabled due to bipolar disorder, a sickness, from March 1995 until April 2006.
Continue Reading Former Financial Trader Files Lawsuit Against Connecticut General Life Insurance (Metlife) Seeking Lifetime Long-Term Disability Benefits

Our Client, an OBGYN (hereinafter referred to as “Dr. OBGYN”), was employed by a hospital when he began to experience anxiety and depression following the filing of a malpractice lawsuit. Our client began drinking alcohol on a daily basis and was subsequently hospitalized for three months as a result of alcoholism, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Continue Reading Prudential Reverses Denial on Second Appeal & Pays $260,000 In Past Due Disability Benefits To OBGYN

On June 19, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States finally issued their opinion in the case of Wanda Glen v. Met Life. In a 6 to 3 decision announced Thursday, the US Supreme Court ruled that benefit denials by such companies must be examined with caution when circumstances suggest a high likelihood that financial considerations affected a benefits decision.
Continue Reading US Supreme Court Attempts To Clarify The Standard Of Review In Denial Of Long-term Disability Benefits

Daniel J. Rochow, the former president of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., was insured under Life Insurance Co. of North America’s disability plan. The Sixth Circuit affirmed that a disability insurer’s denial of benefits to a former employee who was terminated because his symptoms prevented him from performing his duties was arbitrary and capricious, even though the employee’s diagnosis was not made until after he stopped working.
Continue Reading Diagnosis of Insured’s Medical Condition After Termination of Employment Does Not Preclude Disability Claim

Pamela A. Ray, an attorney, was insured under a UNUM disability policy. A Denver trial court ruled recently ruled in her favor that working in a large office building was a material duty of a disability claimant’s occupation as an attorney specializing in major real estate, oil and gas and mining transactions. The court determined that UNUM Life insurance Company of America’s denial of benefits was arbitrary and capricious.
Continue Reading Unum Ordered to Pay Disability Benefits to Attorney Suffering From Sick Building Syndrome

Carol Shepherd, a fork-lift operator for Daramic, was insured under the company’s group disability plan with Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company. In 2004, Ms. Shepherd had an anxiety attack at work and Daramic suspended her and required that she participate in anger management before returning to work.
Continue Reading Court Upheld Standard’s Decision to Deny Disability Benefits

Jenny Eberle, an employee of Purdue University, was initially approved for long-term disability benefits by the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Shortly after her claim was approved, a new claims examiner and registered nurse reviewed Ms. Eberle’s medical records and decided to terminate her long term benefits in November 2004.
Continue Reading Prudential’s Motion to Dismiss Claimant’s Disability Benefits is Denied