At the Ortiz Law Firm, we fight for people who have been unfairly denied long-term disability benefits. Our recent success story highlights the importance of perseverance and strong legal advocacy when battling insurance companies like Lincoln National.
Case Overview
Our client, an airline operations agent, became disabled in March 2023 due to a combination of debilitating conditions, including scoliosis, spondylosis, spinal stenosis, severe knee pain, and sciatica. Recognizing her inability to work, Lincoln National initially approved her for long-term disability benefits, which she received from July 2023 until April 2024, when the insurer abruptly terminated her benefits.
Lincoln National’s Unfair Denial
Lincoln National based its termination of benefits based on a Clinical Review Memo from Dr. Sharon Kanelos, which was never shared with our client prior to the denial. We asserted that this failure to disclose critical evidence violated her right to a full and fair review under ERISA. Determined to fight this unfair decision, our client submitted additional objective medical evidence to challenge Lincoln National’s assessment.
The insurer responded by commissioning another “peer review” by a Dr. Mark Watson, who, despite acknowledging objective findings supporting her pain, still concluded—without justification—that she had no work restrictions. Lincoln National used this flawed report as the basis for denying her benefits again in August 2024.
The Ortiz Law Firm Fights Back – And Wins
Our firm prepared and submitted a comprehensive appeal, which included:
- A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form
- A medical source statement from her treating providers
- Updated medical records demonstrating her ongoing impairments
- The official job description of an airline operations agent, proving the physically demanding nature of her work
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Lincoln National overturned the denial less than 30 days after we filed our appeal—fully reinstating our client’s long-term disability benefits.
Don’t Let a Long-Term Disability Denial Stop You—Fight Back
If your long-term disability benefits have been wrongfully denied or terminated, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. The Ortiz Law Firm has a proven track record of successfully challenging insurers like Lincoln National, ensuring that our clients receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.
Call us today at (888) 321-8131 or fill out our free case evaluation form to discuss how we can help you fight back against a disability denial.
