After years of dedicated hard-work for a company, employees expect their employer to make good on their promises. For workers who have disability insurance as a benefit, this means receiving those benefits if the individual becomes sick or injured. Short-term and long-term disability insurance protects individuals with benefits during the time they are unable to work. However, some insurance companies unfairly deny disability claims, leaving the disabled without a way to care for themselves or their families.

Sarah Yow was an administrative assistant in California who spent more than two years with her company before she was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease. When Yow became unable to work due to her Myasthenia gravis, she filed a claim for disability insurance. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. initially granted Yow long-term disability; however, less than a year later, the company discontinued her benefits.

Yow filed an ERISA violation lawsuit against the insurance company, alleging the company violated her rights to long-term disability benefits by denying her claim, despite declarations, evaluations, and expert opinions from treating doctors, colleagues, and the Center for Career Evaluations.

In Florida, Linda Camach was working for Lowe's when she became disabled and was no longer able to work. Camach had disability benefits through her job, and filed a claim for disability payments. She received benefits for almost two years when the Life Insurance Co. of North America suddenly terminated her benefits.

Still unable to work, Camach filed a lawsuit against the insurance company, seeking payment of disability benefits, reinstatement of coverage, as well as legal fees and interest.

Ellen Ferrick was a former employee of TrustBridge, Inc., a Florida company that provides home health and hospice care. In June of 2014, Ferrick became disabled and was unable to work. Ferrick initially received short-term disability benefits from Life Insurance Co. of North America. However, only a few months later, the insurance company terminated her benefits.

When Ferrick contacted the disability benefits provider, she alleges the company failed to provide a reasonable explanation for why her benefits were terminated. Ferrick was forced to file a lawsuit against the insurance company for wrongfully terminating her claim for disability benefits and refusing to pay short- and long-term disability benefits.

In another case in Florida, Susan Matas became disabled and was no longer able to work at her job. She filed for disability benefits, and initially received payments for about 5 months before the Prudential Insurance Co. of America suddenly terminated her benefits. The insurance company claimed her medical records did not support her claim, forcing her to file a lawsuit against the company to have her coverage reinstated.

Unfortunately, these incidents are not rare. Across the country, hundreds of disabled individuals are suddenly denied disability benefits despite medical records and experts to verify their claims. Some people give up and resort to living on Social Security disability payments. When a disabled individual is denied their disability benefits, they may need to contact an experienced attorney to make sure they receive the benefits they are owed.

Greg Paul has 18 years of experience fighting for his clients to make sure they get the disability benefits they deserve. We represent individuals and families who have been denied benefits by their insurance company or plan administrator. You have a limited time to appeal your disability denial, so do not delay. If you have been denied short-term or long-term disability benefits, contact our office for a free consultation.