I recently had the privilege of representing a 53-year-old client who previously worked as a production meat packer at HEB, Inc. She faced many serious health challenges that made it impossible for her to continue working. Her medical conditions included kidney failure, chronic pain in multiple joints, neuropathy in both arms and legs, osteoarthritis in both shoulders, fibromyalgia, tremors, chronic headaches, bilateral low back pain with sciatica, kidney disease, persistent asthma, anxiety, and depression.
When Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) denied her short-term disability (STD) claim, she knew she needed the help of an experienced disability insurance attorney. We appealed the denial of her STD benefits and, given the chronic nature of our client’s condition, filed a concurrent claim for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.
We diligently prepared and submitted her STD appeal and her application for LTD benefits, along with a detailed affidavit, customized Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) forms, and updated medical records to support her claim. The thoroughness of our approach paid off when LFG approved her LTD claim. But the journey did not end there.
Despite the approval of her LTD claim, her STD claim was still under review. Since the LTD policy requires a claimant to be disabled for 180 days before Lincoln Financial Group will pay LTD benefits, the approval of her LTD claim made it clear that the initial denial of STD benefits was unjustified. There was no reason for our client to wait any longer to receive her rightful STD benefits. Armed with the LTD benefits approval and the policy language, we submitted a demand for LFG to reverse its previous decision regarding the STD benefits.
Our firm’s persistence and expertise resulted in LFG reversing its denial and recognizing our client’s rightful claim to STD benefits. We recovered nearly $35,000 in past-due benefits, and our client is eligible to receive over $450,000 in future benefits if she continues to meet the policy’s definition of disability. If she does, her total recovery will exceed $485,000 in benefits!
At Ortiz Law Firm, we fight for the rights of people who cannot work because of their medical conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling with a long-term disability claim denial, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact us at Ortiz Law Firm, where we are ready to help you get the disability benefits you rightfully deserve. Call us today at (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation.