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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 | Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard

Here is a collection of all our content relating to Reliance Standard.

Halleron v. Reliance Standard – Baptist Healthcare Physician’s LTD Claim Sent Back for Full Review After Flawed Denial

July 30, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Dr. April Halleron, a Kentucky physician, filed for STD and LTD benefits due to disabling symptoms from POTS. Reliance Standard denied both claims, citing a pre-existing condition exclusion for STD and lack of evidence for LTD. The court found both denials procedurally flawed and arbitrary, especially for failing to consider her treating …

Read moreHalleron v. Reliance Standard – Baptist Healthcare Physician’s LTD Claim Sent Back for Full Review After Flawed Denial
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Ward v. Reliance Standard – Maryland Engineer Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit

July 21, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

When Reliance Standard terminated Christine Ward's benefits in 2022, citing insufficient evidence, Ward challenged the decision. The court found Reliance failed to properly evaluate her cognitive limitations and lacked substantial evidence to support its decision.

Read moreWard v. Reliance Standard – Maryland Engineer Wins Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

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: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Our Results, Reliance Standard

King v. Reliance Standard – Indiana Court Sides with Claimant in ERISA Disability Benefits Dispute

March 28, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

In King v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, the insurer failed to issue a timely decision or seek an extension within the 45-day deadline for reviewing Megan King’s appeal of her terminated long-term physical disability benefits. Under the Department of Labor’s regulations, this failure allowed King to consider her claim “exhausted” and …

Read moreKing v. Reliance Standard – Indiana Court Sides with Claimant in ERISA Disability Benefits Dispute
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Watson v. Reliance Standard – Illinois Social Worker Wins Long-Term Disability Case

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 moreWatson v. Reliance Standard – Illinois Social Worker Wins Long-Term Disability Case
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

McEachin v. Reliance Standard – HR Manager Challenges Termination of Long-Term Disability Benefits

February 12, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

Annette McEachin, a human resources manager, was covered under a long-term disability policy issued by Reliance Standard Life Insurance. After a car accident in February 2017, McEachin stopped working and was approved for disability benefits due to “head, neck, back pain, and headaches due to whiplash/post-concussion syndrome.” A second car …

Read moreMcEachin v. Reliance Standard – HR Manager Challenges Termination of Long-Term Disability Benefits
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Breen v. Reliance Standard – Pennsylvania Nurse Loses ERISA Disability Benefits Case

January 27, 2025 // by Nick Ortiz

In Lisa Breen v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania upheld the termination of Breen's long-term disability benefits. Breen, a registered nurse, was initially approved for benefits but later denied based on insufficient medical evidence. The court ruled that the insurance …

Read moreBreen v. Reliance Standard – Pennsylvania Nurse Loses ERISA Disability Benefits Case
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Successful Reinstatement Of Long-Term Disability Benefits For Sales Manager

June 7, 2024 // by Nick Ortiz

I am pleased to share another recent success story where we helped a deserving client recover her long-term disability benefits after an unjust denial in her long term disability insurance claim. As the owner and founder of the Ortiz Law Firm, I find it immensely rewarding to see justice served and to assist individuals in …

Read moreSuccessful Reinstatement Of Long-Term Disability Benefits For Sales Manager
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Our Results, Reliance Standard

$85,000 In Future LTD Benefits Reinstated For Cybersecurity Professional

May 3, 2024 // by Nick Ortiz

I recently had the privilege of representing a client whose long-term disability (LTD) benefits were wrongfully terminated after ten years of receiving monthly benefits. Our client, a 62-year-old from Rhode Island, had previously thrived in a highly demanding cybersecurity role as a data security specialist. However, because of severe and …

Read more$85,000 In Future LTD Benefits Reinstated For Cybersecurity Professional
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Our Results, Reliance Standard

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

Smith v. Reliance Standard – Reliance Standard Committed Abuse Of Discretion

April 30, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

In this case, Fredrick Smith (“Smith”) was employed as a plant manager for Charles Craft, Inc. (“Craft”) reaching back to the 1970’s. Through his job, he held group policies with Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”). Two of these polices included a long-term disability benefits plan and a life insurance policy. If an …

Read moreSmith v. Reliance Standard – Reliance Standard Committed Abuse Of Discretion
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Parr v. Reliance Standard – Modest Activity Doesn’t Equal Ability To Work

April 27, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The Court concluded that the Plaintiff did establish by a preponderance of the evidence that she was “totally disabled” under the “any occupation” standard.

Read moreParr v. Reliance Standard – Modest Activity Doesn’t Equal Ability To Work
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Okuno v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules In Favor Of Reliance Standard

April 23, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Okuno has not established that she satisfied the requisite conditions to obtain disability benefits beyond what Reliance has already paid. Reliance's denial of continued long-term disability benefits appears to have been the result of a principled and deliberative reasoning process. Accordingly, Reliance is entitled to judgment on the …

Read moreOkuno v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules In Favor Of Reliance Standard
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

McIntyre v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds Claimant Is Disabled Under Any Occupation Standard

April 20, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Melissa McIntyre (“McIntyre”) worked as a Mayo Clinic Health System nurse. She was covered under a long-term disability plan which was administered by Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”). Around 2011, McIntyre’s health caused her to cease working. McIntyre suffered from Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome, a neurological issue …

Read moreMcIntyre v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds Claimant Is Disabled Under Any Occupation Standard
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Lash v. Reliance Standard – Case Dismissed For Failure To State Claim Against Matrix

April 8, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Although she initially received long-term disability benefits from Reliance Standard, Lash's claim was later denied under the stricter “any occupation” standard. Lash sued both Reliance Standard and Matrix Absence Management, the plan’s third-party administrator.

Read moreLash v. Reliance Standard – Case Dismissed For Failure To State Claim Against Matrix
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Coats v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds That Benefit Calculation Is Incorrect

April 8, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Jennifer Coats (“Coats”) was employed by Cottage Health Care as a staff nurse. Through her employment, she was able to participate in an employee welfare benefit plan which included coverage for long-term disability benefits. These benefits were funded by Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”). More specifically, Reliance …

Read moreCoats v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds That Benefit Calculation Is Incorrect
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Killen v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds There Was No Abuse Of Discretion

April 8, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The Court affirmed the district court’s decision granting summary judgment to Reliance Standard on the ground that it did not abuse its discretion in denying the claimant’s long-term disability benefits. In other words, the Court ruled in favor of the insurance company.

Read moreKillen v. Reliance Standard – Court Finds There Was No Abuse Of Discretion
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Bradshaw v. Reliance Standard – Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Was Misapplied To Claim

April 6, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

In the instant case, Julissa Bradshaw (“Bradshaw”) was a medical biller for Pyramid Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (“Pyramid”). She held a policy through Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (“Reliance Standard”) for both short-term and long-term disability coverage. Her coverage under this policy began on May 1, 2013. When Bradshaw was hired by …

Read moreBradshaw v. Reliance Standard – Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Was Misapplied To Claim
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Bey v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules Reliance Standard Did Not Act Arbitrarily Or Capriciously

April 6, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

The Court found that ERISA preempts Ms. Bey’s state law claims and that Reliance is entitled to summary judgment in its favor in all respects. Given the thorough review by an independent physician, the Court did not conclude that Reliance acted arbitrarily or capriciously.

Read moreBey v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules Reliance Standard Did Not Act Arbitrarily Or Capriciously
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

Bowman v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules In Favor Of Reliance

April 6, 2020 // by Nick Ortiz

Anthony Bowman (“Bowman”) was employed as a Maintenance Mechanic which required the ability to do heavy lifting between fifty and sixty pounds. Injuries throughout his life caused him to have a number of surgeries and resulted in chronic neck and back pain. Bowman also had issues with a sleep disorder and pain medication, which led …

Read moreBowman v. Reliance Standard – Court Rules In Favor Of Reliance
Category: Disability Case Summaries
Tags: Reliance Standard

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Recent Posts

  • Ziegler v. Sun Life – Court Upholds Denial of Disability Benefits for Missouri Ophthalmic Technician
  • 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

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