We appeal wrongful long term disability insurance and Social Security Disability denials.

Case Summary Blog Posts by OLF

[Note: these claims were not handled by the Ortiz Law Firm. They are merely summarized here for a better understanding of how Federal Courts are handling long term disability insurance claims. If you are looking for the results of a case that was handled by the Ortiz Law Firm, please visit our Case Results page.]

Court Ruled In Favor of Unum Under Deferential Standard of Review

Today we review Arenson v. First Unum Life Insurance Company that was decided by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Gregg Arenson was a futures and options trade broker. He sued his former employer’s benefits administrator, First Unum Life Insurance Company (hereinafter “Unum”) under ERISA. He challenged Unum’s denial of …

Court Ruled In Favor of Unum Under Deferential Standard of ReviewRead More

Unum Should Have Ordered an IME to Determine if Disability Was Mental or Physical

Unum paid long term disability insurance benefits to Susan Moseley, but stopped paying after a period of time pursuant to the mental illness limitation in her long-term disability (LTD) policy (a policy is also called a “plan” of benefits). Moseley appealed the case all the way to federal court, arguing that Unum abused its discretion …

Unum Should Have Ordered an IME to Determine if Disability Was Mental or PhysicalRead More

Opening an Encrypted CD from the SSA

The Social Security Administration maintains all Social Security Disability claim files in an electronic format. The instructions below will walk you through the process of obtaining and opening an encrypted CD from the SSA. How Do I Get a Copy of My Social Security Disability File? A claimant and/or an authorized representative has the right …

Opening an Encrypted CD from the SSARead More

Marselle v. Unum – Kentucky District Court Finds Unum Made a “Reasoned Determination”

Jonni Marselle was covered for long term disability (LTD) benefits under a group plan provided to Humana, Marselle’s former employer. Marselle was a consultant with Humana. The position was sedentary as it required her to constantly sit, occasionally stand, and occasionally walk. She mostly did computer work. Her disabilities included immunodeficiency, serious back pain, sinus …

Marselle v. Unum – Kentucky District Court Finds Unum Made a “Reasoned Determination”Read More

Foss v. Standard – “Own Occ” is With Any Employer, Not With Specific Employer

I’ve been away from case summaries for a bit. Going to turn that around with a recent decision in Foss v. Standard Insurance Company, Case No. 20-cv-2449, decided by the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on August 19, 2022. Unfortunately, the Court ruled in favor of the insurance company. Plaintiff Caroline …

Foss v. Standard – “Own Occ” is With Any Employer, Not With Specific EmployerRead More

SSA Grid Rules Explained

If your impairment does not meet or equal a listing, the Social Security Administration’s medical-vocational rules or Grid rules come into play. SSA Grid rules may help disability applicants that are 50 years old or older get approved for Social Security Disability benefits if they do not have useful job skills or the job skills …

SSA Grid Rules ExplainedRead More