In Easter v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., the plaintiff, Audrey M. Easter, a former Social Worker for Intermountain Healthcare, was insured under a disability insurance plan administered by Defendant Hartford. Under this plan, Defendant Hartford was the claims administrator responsible for determining benefits and the payor of those claims. ERISA governed the insurance …
Case Summary Blog
Court Rules “Superhuman Effort” Cannot Serve as the Sole Reason for the Denial of Disability Benefits
The case of Mucciacciaro v. Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. This legal battle centers around Sandra Mucciacciaro, the Plaintiff, and Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, the Defendant. The legal dispute pertains to a claim for long-term disability benefits, with …
Hartford Denies LTD Claim by Collections Rep with COPD and Cardiac Impairments
The case involves Lisa Leif suing Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company under ERISA, claiming wrongful denial of long-term disability (LTD) benefits. W.B. Mason Company, Inc. employed Ms. Leif as a Collection Representative. Leif suffers from atherosclerotic heart disease, refractory angina, coronary spasms, and COPD. As she was no longer able to work due to …
Hartford Denies LTD Claim by Collections Rep with COPD and Cardiac ImpairmentsRead More
Unum Terminates LTD Claim for Facilities Technician Suffering from a Back Injury
The case of Harmon v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am. involves plaintiff Joey Harmon against Unum Life Insurance Company of America regarding a claim for long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits. Mr. Harmon was a facilities technician for 24 Hour Fitness. He suffered a back injury leading to surgery and claimed LTD benefits under policies …
Unum Terminates LTD Claim for Facilities Technician Suffering from a Back InjuryRead More
Evans v. LINA – LINA Denies Disability Benefits to Wireline Operator with Severe Back Pain
The plaintiff, Heath Evans, was employed by Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Evans worked as a wireline operator, a role the Department of Labor classified as requiring very heavy physical labor. Evans suffered a workplace injury to his back in November 2013, leading to significant back pain and functional limitations. He underwent two surgeries, one in 2014 …
Evans v. LINA – LINA Denies Disability Benefits to Wireline Operator with Severe Back PainRead More
United of Omaha Deprived a Massachusetts Legal Assistant of a Full and Fair Review in LTD Claim
Karen Jette, formerly employed as a legal assistant, filed for short-term disability (STD) benefits on July 23, 2013, and subsequently applied for LTD benefits on August 16, 2013, due to lower back pain. United of Omaha Life Insurance Company initially approved STD benefits and later approved LTD benefits on May 6, 2014, after an appeal …
Standard Insurance Company Violates Dentist’s Right to a Full and Fair Review
The “Zall v. Standard Insurance Company” case involves a long-term disability claim filed by Eric S. Zall, a dentist and co-owner of a dental practice, under an insurance policy with Standard Insurance Company. Zall filed this claim in 2013, at the age of 48, because of chronic neck pain and right-handed numbness and weakness resulting …
Standard Insurance Company Violates Dentist’s Right to a Full and Fair ReviewRead More
Schmill v. MetLife – Court Upholds Decision to Limit Benefits to 12 Months in Claim for Mental and Musculoskeletal Disorders
The case of Howard Schmill v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) involved a long-term disability (LTD) claim under a plan governed by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Please note that the Ortiz Law Firm did not handle this case. Schmill, a Louisiana resident, was a foreman at Turner Industries Group, LLC, …
Viso v. Federated – Plaintiff Failed to Provide Proof of Disability
This case involves Viso, who filed a disability claim with Federated Insurance due to congenital hearing loss. The policy provided for up to 60 months of disability insurance benefits should Viso become disabled before age 65. The policy included the following definitions: Viso’s physician, Dr. Steven Dear, partially completed his Statement of Disability, but it …
Viso v. Federated – Plaintiff Failed to Provide Proof of DisabilityRead More
Geiger v. Zurich – Failure to Obtain Additional Vocational Evidence Not an Abuse of Discretion
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 not go …