• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Has your disability claim been denied or terminated? Call (888) 321-8131 for help!

  • Mail
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Ortiz Law Firm logo

Ortiz Law Firm | National Disability Law Firm

Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.

  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Areas We Serve
    • Our Team
    • Our Case Results
    • Client Reviews and Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long-Term Disability Insurance
      • Administrative Appeals
      • Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Occupations That May Qualify
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications
      • Appeal a Denial
      • Hearings Before an Administrative Law Judge
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Disabling Conditions
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • New York Life Group Benefit Solutions (Formerly Cigna)
    • Lincoln Financial
    • Reliance Standard
    • Prudential
    • The Hartford
    • The Standard
    • MetLife
    • Guardian
    • Unum
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Appeal a Long-Term Disability Denial
    • Long-Term Disability Buyout Calculator
    • eBooks, Guides, and More
    • Disability Law Blog
    • Video Library
    • Long-Term Disability Glossary
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • CONTACT

Home | Disability Case Summaries | Page 3

Disability Case Summaries

Geiger v. Zurich – Failure To Obtain Additional Vocational Evidence Not An Abuse Of Discretion

December 6, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

The case involves a dispute over long-term disability (LTD) benefits between Geiger, the claimant, and Zurich American Life Insurance Company of New York (“Zurich”), the administrator of an ERISA-regulated benefits plan. Background Geiger worked at CBS News in New York as a writer/editor. In March 2018, at the age of 58, Geiger could …

Read moreGeiger v. Zurich – Failure To Obtain Additional Vocational Evidence Not An Abuse Of Discretion
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Zurich Insurance Company

Sutton v. MetLife – LTD Policy Requires Objective Evidence, Not Conclusive Proof

December 1, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

The plaintiff, Sutton, filed a lawsuit against MetLife, the defendant, for the wrongful denial of long-term disability benefits under his employer’s plan governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). Background Under the disability plan’s policy documents, if an employee’s disability is attributable to a neuromuscular or …

Read moreSutton v. MetLife – LTD Policy Requires Objective Evidence, Not Conclusive Proof
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: MetLife

The Standard Wrongly Applies Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion To LTD Claim

November 10, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

Recently, we appealed a claim denial issued by The Standard. The claim had been denied because the insurance carrier had determined that the claimant’s condition was caused or contributed to by a pre-existing condition. This is not an unusual basis for a long-term disability claim denial. However, upon further review, we determined this …

Read moreThe Standard Wrongly Applies Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion To LTD Claim
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Our Results, The Standard

Cannon v. Aetna – Aetna Not Bound By SSA Disability Determination

July 24, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

In Gregory Cannon v. Aetna, a pharmacist challenged Aetna’s denial of short-term disability benefits, arguing the insurer ignored his symptoms, failed to follow internal procedures, and overlooked his Social Security approval. The court sided with Aetna, finding no abuse of discretion and concluding Cannon failed to provide sufficient objective …

Read moreCannon v. Aetna – Aetna Not Bound By SSA Disability Determination
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Aetna

Dardick v. Unum – Court Upholds Cardiac LTD Claim Denial

July 24, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

In Dardick v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America and First Unum Life Insurance Company, Unum succeeded in denying the claimant long-term disability insurance benefits. Dardick filed a lawsuit after Unum Life Insurance Company of America denied his claim for benefits under a group disability benefits plan provided by his previous …

Read moreDardick v. Unum – Court Upholds Cardiac LTD Claim Denial
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Gaines v. Aetna – Court Rules Aetna Refused To Credit Reliable Evidence

July 24, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

Plaintiff appealed the initial denial of benefits under the Plan, stating that her request for disability was not based solely on her thyroid surgery but rather on symptoms associated with lupus and chronic pain. On September 12, 2011, ALIC again upheld the denial of benefits to the Plaintiff. As allowed under ERISA, the Plaintiff sued to challenge …

Read moreGaines v. Aetna – Court Rules Aetna Refused To Credit Reliable Evidence
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Aetna

Brown v. LINA – Can A Peer Review Physician Outweigh My Physician’s Opinion?

July 24, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, the Court found that the Plaintiff's complaints of pain were credible there was no reason to question the Plaintiff's credibility. As such, the Defendants' motion for decision was denied and Plaintiff's motions was granted.

Read moreBrown v. LINA – Can A Peer Review Physician Outweigh My Physician’s Opinion?
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA)

Abrams v. Unum – Disabling Symptoms Matter, Not The Diagnosis

July 12, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

Today we review Abrams v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America that was decided by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. William Abrams was a trial and appellate lawyer for the Schwabe Law Firm. His disabilities were described as debilitating symptoms from an illness. Although the exact medical condition was …

Read moreAbrams v. Unum – Disabling Symptoms Matter, Not The Diagnosis
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Paquin v. Prudential – Insurer Wrongfully Disregarded Opinions Of Treating Physicians

April 27, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, the claimant won a reinstatement of his long-term disability insurance benefits in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The Plaintiff’s Medical History and Claim History:  Mr. Paquin worked for Transistor Devices, Inc. as a Business Development Director. In 2003, Mr. Paquin contracted encephalitis from a …

Read morePaquin v. Prudential – Insurer Wrongfully Disregarded Opinions Of Treating Physicians
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Prudential

Robinson v. Aetna – Court Remands Claim For Any Occupation Review

April 27, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

Plaintiff Laverne Robinson brought a lawsuit against Aetna Life Insurance Company (“Aetna”) and Mondelez Global LLC Employee-Paid Group Benefits Plan (“the Plan”) for unpaid long-term disability (“LTD”) benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Robinson was a former utility machine …

Read moreRobinson v. Aetna – Court Remands Claim For Any Occupation Review
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Aetna

Director of Software v. Unum – Court Finds Plaintiff Failed To Meet His Burden Of Proof

April 14, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

On April 7, 2023, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts decided an ERISA long-term disability insurance case against the Unum Insurance Company of America. The Court ruled in favor of Unum. The claimant worked with Symbiotic LLC Plan as the Director of Software Quality Assurance. He had worked in the computer …

Read moreDirector of Software v. Unum – Court Finds Plaintiff Failed To Meet His Burden Of Proof
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Arenson v. Unum – Court Sides With Unum Under Deferential Standard Of Review

March 28, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreArenson v. Unum – Court Sides With Unum Under Deferential Standard Of Review
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Moseley v. Unum – Unum Should Have Ordered IME

March 22, 2023 // by Nick Ortiz

Unum paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits to Susan Moseley, but stopped paying after a period of time pursuant to the mental illness limitation in her long-term disability 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 …

Read moreMoseley v. Unum – Unum Should Have Ordered IME
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

Marselle v. Unum – Kentucky District Court Finds Unum Made A Reasoned Determination

September 12, 2022 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreMarselle v. Unum – Kentucky District Court Finds Unum Made A Reasoned Determination
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum

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

September 2, 2022 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreFoss v. Standard – “Own Occ” Is With Any Employer, Not A Specific Employer
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: The Standard

Fowkes v. MetLife – Claimant Did Not Prove Disability

April 8, 2022 // by Nick Ortiz

Ms. Fowkes does not contend the Plan’s written evidence requirement violates ERISA. Instead, she takes issue with MetLife's procedures to evaluate her LTD claim. In particular, she contends MetLife required her to present “objective evidence” supporting her LTD claim. At the hearing, she argued that MetLife did not consider the cumulative effect of …

Read moreFowkes v. MetLife – Claimant Did Not Prove Disability
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: MetLife

Archer v. Hartford – Court Upholds Long-Term Disability Claim Denial

July 16, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

The claimant in Archer v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company was an Assistant Store Manager at TJX Marshall’s Department Store. She had group long-term disability (LTD) coverage. She also had life insurance benefits. Both of these categories of group benefits were issued and administered by Hartford. Hartford had what we call …

Read moreArcher v. Hartford – Court Upholds Long-Term Disability Claim Denial
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Hartford

Cassidy v. Aetna – Court Holds There Is A Difference Between Diagnosis and Limitation

June 10, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In Cassidy v. Aetna Life Insurance Company, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled in favor of Aetna in a long-term disability insurance claim. The decision was issued on May 21, 2021. The long-term disability insurance claim was governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Ms. Cassidy …

Read moreCassidy v. Aetna – Court Holds There Is A Difference Between Diagnosis and Limitation
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Aetna

Calkin v. USLIC – Court Finds Reasonable Basis For Long-Term Disability Denial

May 14, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Mr. Calkin was a 65-year-old manager of architectural design for AIG from June 10, 2013, through June 24, 2014. Mr. Calkin suffered from impingement syndrome in his left shoulder, brachial plexopathy (a form of neuropathy), bilateral shoulder pain, lower back pain due to degenerative disc disease and stenosis in his lumbar …

Read moreCalkin v. USLIC – Court Finds Reasonable Basis For Long-Term Disability Denial
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: AIG Benefits Solutions, United States Life Insurance Company (USLIC)

Harrison v. LINA – Claim Denied Based On Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion

May 11, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Ms. Harrison was a claimant who worked as a customer service representative for a cash advance lender. Her duties included selling financial products to customers, providing customer service, handling money, and overseeing financial transactions. She also suffered from depression and anxiety during her time at this place of …

Read moreHarrison v. LINA – Claim Denied Based On Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA)

Senegal v. Reliance Standard – Court Remands Case For Further Review

January 7, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, Tommy W. Senegal (“Senegal”) had a long-term disability policy that was administered by Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”) as a benefit of his employment by Cequel III, LLC (“Cequel”). Senegal worked for Cequel as a field service engineer; his duties were specifically related to supervising cable …

Read moreSenegal v. Reliance Standard – Court Remands Case For Further Review
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Donlick v. Standard – Claim Denial Was Not Arbitrary And Capricious

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Marybeth M. Donlick (“Donlick”) was employed as a truck driver for Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”). Through her employment, Donlick received coverage for a long-term disability benefits plan, which was administered by Standard Insurance Company (“Standard”). On August 7, 2012, Donlick was in a motorcycle crash which caused her to have …

Read moreDonlick v. Standard – Claim Denial Was Not Arbitrary And Capricious
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: The Standard

Diaz v. Liberty Life – Court Rules LTD Claim Denial Was Supported

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, David Diaz (“Diaz”) was the district manager at JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (“JM Family Enterprises”) between September 2010 and October 2015. JM Family Enterprises’ had an employee benefit plan which covered long-term disability benefits. This plan was insured by Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston (“Liberty”). Under the plan, …

Read moreDiaz v. Liberty Life – Court Rules LTD Claim Denial Was Supported
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Liberty Mutual

Deroo v. Unum – Court Rules Job Suitable For Claimant Doesn’t Exist

January 6, 2021 // by Nick Ortiz

Carianne Deroo (“Deroo”) worked as an employee for Beaumont Hospital as a Clinical Nurse II. This role involved full-time work as a registered nurse which required patient care. Through her employment with Beaumont Hospital, Deroo was covered by a long-term disability benefits policy which was administered by Unum Life Insurance Company of America …

Read moreDeroo v. Unum – Court Rules Job Suitable For Claimant Doesn’t Exist
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Unum
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 8
  • Next

Sidebar

Book cover: Top Ten Mistakes That Will DESTROY Your Long-Term Disability Claim

Free e-Book for LTD Claims

Discover the common pitfalls that can derail your long term disability claim.

Get Your Free Book

Our Clients Love Us

They are the best in everything.

Ricardo T.

See All Testimonials

Recent Posts

  • Halleron v. Reliance Standard – Baptist Healthcare Physician’s LTD Claim Sent Back for Full Review After Flawed Denial
  • Ortiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Denied LTD Benefits After Cardiac Arrest and Brain Injury
  • Ward v. Reliance Standard – Maryland Engineer Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
  • How Long-Term Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits Interact
  • Do I Automatically Get Long-Term Disability If I’m Approved For Short-Term Disability?

Contact Us

Ortiz Law Firm is a national disability law firm specializing in long-term disability appeals, disability insurance lawsuits, and Social Security Disability claims. Contact us for a free case review.

(888) 321-8131
316 S Baylen St., Ste 590,
Pensacola, FL 32502

  • Mail
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Claims We Handle

  • Group Long-Term Disability
  • ERISA Disability Claims
  • Individual Disability Insurance
  • Social Security Disability Claims
  • Long-Term Care Insurance

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Nick Ortiz
  • Free Resources
  • Video Library
  • Client Testimonials
  • Successful LTD Appeals
  • Nationwide Representation
  • Refer a Case

Our Pensacola Office


Sitemap | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 | Ortiz Law Firm | All Rights Reserved