The experienced disability attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates represent clients with Unum LTD denial claims at both the appeal and litigation stages.
Unum is one of the nation’s largest long term disability insurance carriers, providing group and individual disability insurance plans to millions of workers. They are infamous for delaying and denying claims for disability benefits. Marc Whitehead & Associates have represented many clients who have had their claims denied by Unum.
Marc Whitehead & Associates recently represented a 59 year old woman living in Atlanta, Georgia, who was forced to file an appeal when Unum denied her claim for long term disability (LTD) benefits. Our client endures degenerative bone disease and cardiac issues as well as severe vertigo brought on by medication.
Our client submitted her disability claim in the form requested by Unum and within the time specified by the policy. However, for some reason the insurance company failed to take into account the significant and ongoing medical limitations of our client’s physical impairments. Unum denied her application for benefits stating that our client was not disabled under the terms of the plan.
We examined the details of her case carefully — and determined there was no real justification for the denial.
Marc Whitehead & Associates Appeal UNUM’s LTD Denial
Our appeal would clearly demonstrate that our client did not retain a residual functional capacity that would allow for the performance of her own or any occupation at any exertional level, and Unum’s decision to close her claim constituted an incorrect determination.
We began our appeal with a detailed explanation of our client’s disabilities.
First, we explained that our client experienced a sudden onset of chest pain which fluctuated in intensity for which she sought treatment from a cardiologist. Her initial cardiac work-up was negative for ischemia or arrhythmias. However, a cardiac catheterization revealed the presence of severe small vessel disease of the heart.
Our attorneys went on to describe that following our client’s cardiac catheterization, she began to experience symptoms such as left arm and leg tingling and numbness with episodes of dizziness which left her unable to stand. Medical evaluation of her dizziness, which included several balance and vestibular tests, confirmed a diagnosis of severe Vertigo.
Our appeal also went into great detail regarding how our client’s Vertigo related dizziness episodes prevented her from being able to function normally. We described in detail her great difficulties in standing, balancing, sleeping, traveling, and getting into and out of bed.
We submitted exhaustive medical evidence that our client’s ongoing chest pain, degenerative bone issues, left arm and leg tingling and the severe vertigo had such a negative impact on her life that ongoing employment was impossible.
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Importance of Physician’ Opinions in Reversing UNUM LTD Denial
You can never have too much evidence to back up your disability claim. That’s why, when we create a client’s appeal we always include thorough medical documentation supporting our client’s disability.
In this case we were able to include a large collection of physician’s statements, along with extensive medical records supporting our client’s ongoing disability. Each of our client’s physicians went into great detail regarding her many disabilities, how they affect her daily life, and to what effect each disability has upon her ability to work.
We included these records as part of our client’s appeal to show that Unum was mistaken in their original denial. They left little doubt that our client’s disabilities preclude the performance of her regular occupation and of any work at all.
Vocational Rehabilitation Assessment Aided in Reversal of UNUM LTD Denial
In order for our appeal to be successful, we had to be extremely comprehensive when explaining our client’s disabilities. In this case, we included the Vocational Rehabilitation Assessment that was completed on our client’s behalf.
By researching our client’s medical records and interviewing our client over the telephone, the Vocational Rehabilitation Assessment coordinator concluded that our client was totally disabled from her current employment or from any other alternative work at any level of physical exertion, even on a part-time basis. The assessment also stated that our client’s prospects for medical improvement and a change in her employment status appear unlikely.
With thorough medical research, the statements of our client’s physicians, and detailed documentation regarding our client’s inability to perform her own occupation or any occupation she was trained for, we constructed a solid and detailed appeal on our client’s behalf and argued that the Unum LTD denial was an incorrect determination.
Faced with irrefutable evidence of our client’s disability and a team of attorneys who were willing to file suit on behalf of their client, Unum overturned their previous decision and awarded our client the long term disability benefits that she deserved.
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Attorneys for Unum Disability Claims
Marc Whitehead & Associates are Unum disability lawyers who have successfully resolved disability claim denials with Unum and other insurance companies at all stages of the process, from submitting an administrative appeal to filing a lawsuit with the court. We have the experience, knowledge and resources to get results. Call Marc Whitehead & Associates at 800-562-9830 to schedule a free consultation meeting to find out how we can help you appeal a Unum denial of disability benefits.
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