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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.

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Home | Case Summary Blog

Case Summary Blog

Sami v. Guardian – Florida Shipping Supervisor Wins ERISA Remand After Guardian Failed to Provide Full and Fair Review

June 30, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of FloridaInsurance Carrier: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Contec, LLCClaimant’s Occupation: Shipping Supervisor Hari Sami was employed as a shipping supervisor for Contec, LLC in Florida when he suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA, …

Read moreSami v. Guardian – Florida Shipping Supervisor Wins ERISA Remand After Guardian Failed to Provide Full and Fair Review
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Guardian

Stroke Survivor Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Wrongful Denial by New York Life

June 18, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

A 61-year-old former general manager for Chuck E. Cheese’s life was turned upside down when he suffered a serious stroke. The stroke left him with right-sided weakness (hemiparesis), clumsiness, sensory loss, balance problems, memory issues, near-syncopal episodes, and fatigue. These impairments made it impossible for him to continue working. At …

Read moreStroke Survivor Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Wrongful Denial by New York Life
Category: Case Summary Blog, Long-Term Disability
Tags: New York Life

Case Study: How We Helped a Digital Coach Secure Long-Term Disability Benefits After a Denial by Sedgwick

June 13, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we know that navigating the complexities of disability claims can be overwhelming, especially when insurance companies deny benefits due to a lack of so-called “objective evidence.” A recent case illustrates the challenges our client faced and how we stepped in to help her secure the benefits she rightfully …

Read moreCase Study: How We Helped a Digital Coach Secure Long-Term Disability Benefits After a Denial by Sedgwick
Category: Case Summary Blog, Long-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability Denials and Appeals
Tags: Lincoln, Sedgwick

Eggleston v. Unum – Florida Nurse Loses Disability Benefits Appeal Against Unum Despite Years of Chronic Pain

June 9, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami DivisionInsurance Carrier: Unum Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical CenterClaimant’s Occupation: Clinical and Research Nurse Disclaimer: Please note that this claim was not handled by the Ortiz Law Firm. It is …

Read moreEggleston v. Unum – Florida Nurse Loses Disability Benefits Appeal Against Unum Despite Years of Chronic Pain
Category: Case Summary Blog, Long-Term Disability
Tags: Unum

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Systems Engineer Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits from MetLife

June 2, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we recently had the privilege of helping a client who had been unfairly denied his long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Our client became disabled due to a combination of debilitating medical conditions, including long COVID syndrome with shortness of breath and dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic migraines, dyspnea …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Helps Systems Engineer Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits from MetLife
Category: Case Summary Blog, Long-Term Disability
Tags: MetLife

Your Long-Term Disability Appeal May Be Your Only Chance to Submit New Evidence

May 30, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Many people assume that if their long-term disability (LTD) appeal is denied, they can simply take the insurance company to court and present all the evidence they didn’t get to include earlier. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works under the law that governs most group LTD policies: ERISA, which is short for the Employee Retirement …

Read moreYour Long-Term Disability Appeal May Be Your Only Chance to Submit New Evidence
Category: Case Summary Blog

Ortiz Law Firm Secures Reinstatement of Long-Term Disability Benefits for Client Denied by Lincoln National

May 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

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 …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Secures Reinstatement of Long-Term Disability Benefits for Client Denied by Lincoln National
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Lincoln

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits After New York Life Denial

May 14, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Our client was forced to stop working due to a combination of disabling conditions, including essential tremor, chronic pain and neuropathy, and complications from right shoulder surgery. New York Life initially approved her long-term disability (LTD) claim and paid benefits during the 24-month “own occupation” period. However, after that period …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits After New York Life Denial
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: New York Life

What Does Disability Mean In A Long-Term Disability Claim?

May 12, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When people think of disability, they often picture someone who can’t work at all. But when it comes to long-term disability insurance, the word “disability” can mean very different things—depending entirely on how it’s defined in your policy. Understanding the exact definition of “disability” in your plan is critical. It’s the basis for whether …

Read moreWhat Does Disability Mean In A Long-Term Disability Claim?
Category: Case Summary Blog, Long-Term Disability

New York Life Reverses Disability Denial for Navy Federal Credit Union Employee

May 9, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

I’m honored to share another story of how we helped a client recover the long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits she desperately needed after her claim was unfairly denied. This is a testament to the power of perseverance and expertise when it comes to fighting for our clients’ rights against large insurance companies like New York …

Read moreNew York Life Reverses Disability Denial for Navy Federal Credit Union Employee
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: New York Life

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Financial Manager Recover Wrongly Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits

May 5, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we fight to make sure insurance companies live up to their obligations. Recently, we helped a Charles Schwab financial manager regain the claimant’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits after Lincoln National wrongfully terminated the claimant’s disability claim. Denial of a Valid Disability Claim Our client is disabled and …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Helps Financial Manager Recover Wrongly Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Lincoln

Trial Attorney Wins ERISA Lawsuit Against Unum for Wrongful Termination of Disability Benefits

May 2, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: United States District Court for the District of MinnesotaInsurance Carrier: Unum Life Insurance Company of AmericaClaimant’s Employer: Geraghty, O’Loughlin & Kenney, P.A.Claimant’s Occupation: Medical Malpractice Trial Attorney Long-Term Disability Benefits Denied Despite Cancer Diagnosis Mark W. Hardy, a Minnesota medical malpractice …

Read moreTrial Attorney Wins ERISA Lawsuit Against Unum for Wrongful Termination of Disability Benefits
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Unum

IT Administrator Loses Long-Term Disability Appeal Against MetLife

April 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Insurance Carrier: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) Claimant’s Employer: HP, Inc. Claimant’s Occupation: IT Administrator [Note: This claim was not handled by the Ortiz Law Firm. The claim is being summarized here as being educational and informational on how …

Read moreIT Administrator Loses Long-Term Disability Appeal Against MetLife
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: MetLife

Research Scientist Wins Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Appeal

April 18, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we understand how devastating it can be when a disability insurance company unfairly denies your claim for benefits. Recently, we had the privilege of helping a brilliant lead research scientist who was struggling with Lance-Adams Syndrome. This condition caused debilitating tremors, ataxia, and startle-induced myoclonus, …

Read moreResearch Scientist Wins Reliance Standard Long-Term Disability Appeal
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Reliance Standard

How Experience Won a Social Security Disability Hearing

April 16, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Some hearings require more effort than others, and today’s hearing before an Administrative Law Judge was one of them. It was a case where I really had to work as the claimant’s attorney to help him win the claim, but the effort paid off. The Challenge: A Medical Expert Who “Missed” Key Evidence The hearing …

Read moreHow Experience Won a Social Security Disability Hearing
Category: Case Summary Blog

California Physician Challenges Sun Life’s Denial of Long-Term Disability Benefits

April 14, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaInsurance Carrier: Sun Life and Health Insurance Company, Inc.Claimant’s Employer: Physiatry Medical Group, Inc.Claimant’s Occupation: Physician Background: A Physician’s Battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Dr. Jerry Sobel, a physician employed by Physiatry Medical …

Read moreCalifornia Physician Challenges Sun Life’s Denial of Long-Term Disability Benefits
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Sun Life

Indiana Court Sides with Claimant in ERISA Disability Benefits Dispute with Reliance Standard

March 28, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Court: United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne DivisionInsurance Carrier: Reliance Standard Life Insurance CompanyEmployer: MedtronicClaimant’s Occupation: Senior Case Specialist Background: A Long-Term Disability Claim Interrupted Megan King, a Senior Case Specialist for Medtronic, suffered significant physical …

Read moreIndiana Court Sides with Claimant in ERISA Disability Benefits Dispute with Reliance Standard
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Reliance Standard

$150 Thousand In Potential Future LTD Benefits Recovered For Former Claims Adjuster With Fibromyalgia

March 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

We recently had the privilege of representing a former claims adjuster for an insurance company who faced an overwhelming array of health issues. Her life was deeply affected by chronic severe pain and a series of debilitating conditions, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and complications following breast cancer, among others. Lincoln …

Read more$150 Thousand In Potential Future LTD Benefits Recovered For Former Claims Adjuster With Fibromyalgia
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Lincoln

Illinois Social Worker Wins Long-Term Disability Case Against Reliance Standard

March 19, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Cheryl Watson, a licensed clinical social worker and research coordinator at the Hektoen Institute, faced an uphill battle to secure long-term disability benefits. After years of enduring fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, and other symptoms, Watson stopped working in March 2013. Diagnosed with conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue …

Read moreIllinois Social Worker Wins Long-Term Disability Case Against Reliance Standard
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Reliance Standard

UnitedHealth Group Account Executive Wins Hartford Disability Appeal

March 17, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we recently had the honor of helping a dedicated Account Executive for UnitedHealth Group who was wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits by The Hartford. Our client had been unable to work for several years, due to numerous debilitating conditions, including ongoing pain from bilateral hip replacements, …

Read moreUnitedHealth Group Account Executive Wins Hartford Disability Appeal
Category: Case Summary Blog

Ortiz Law Firm Recovers $485,000 In Disability Benefits For HEB Employee

March 14, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

I recently had the privilege of representing a 53-year-old client who previously worked as a production meat packer at HEB, Inc. She faced many serious health challenges that made it impossible for her to continue working. Her medical conditions included kidney failure, chronic pain in multiple joints, neuropathy in both arms and legs, …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Recovers $485,000 In Disability Benefits For HEB Employee
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Lincoln

Olah v. Unum – A Clinical Research Associate’s Battle for Disability Benefits

February 28, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Note: We did not handle this particular claim, but it is summarized here to give an understanding of how federal courts handle long term disability ERISA claims. Lori Olah, a clinical research associate at Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC, had surgery on May 2, 2017, to correct a pinched nerve root in her lower back. Post-surgery, …

Read moreOlah v. Unum – A Clinical Research Associate’s Battle for Disability Benefits
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Unum

Ortiz Law Firm Wins Guardian Long-Term Disability Insurance Appeal

February 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When Guardian Life abruptly terminated one of our client’s long-term disability (LTD) benefits, we knew we had a fight on our hands. Her case illustrates the importance of challenging insurers who unfairly deny claims based on benefit limitations for mental and nervous conditions—and why having experienced legal representation can make all the …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Wins Guardian Long-Term Disability Insurance Appeal
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Guardian

Ortiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits From Lincoln

February 17, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we understand how devastating it can be to face a denial of long-term disability (LTD) benefits when you’re already battling significant health challenges. One of our recent cases is a testament to our unwavering commitment to helping clients secure the benefits they deserve. The Challenge Our client, a former data …

Read moreOrtiz Law Firm Helps Client Recover Long-Term Disability Benefits From Lincoln
Category: Case Summary Blog
Tags: Lincoln
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I chose the Ortiz Law Firm because they were the only firm I could find that represents clients with M.C.A.S. and it was the best choice I could have possibly made. After receiving multiple denials I reached out to the Ortiz Law Firm for help. Mr. Ortiz and his entire staff were amazing to work with. Thanks to their expertise we were able to get STD/LTD and SSDI settlements. A special shout out to Tiffany and Amber for the great communication and help.

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Recent Posts

  • Sami v. Guardian – Florida Shipping Supervisor Wins ERISA Remand After Guardian Failed to Provide Full and Fair Review
  • How Insurers Misinterpret Medical Evidence to Deny Long-Term Disability Claims
  • How to Get a Supportive Medical Statement for Your Disability Claim
  • Stroke Survivor Wins Back Long-Term Disability Benefits After Wrongful Denial by New York Life
  • Should You Accept a Buyout Offer from Unum on Your Long-Term Disability Claim?

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.

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Pensacola, FL 32502

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