Disability lawsuit against MetLife alleges insurance company refuses to pay disabled claimant

Insurer states client should have taken strong anti-psychotic drugs during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, claims she is too “logical” and “organized” to receive benefits.

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, known as MetLife (NYSE: MET), is being sued in United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, for refusing to honor its contractual obligation to pay long term disability insurance benefits to a psychologically impaired woman.

According to the lawsuit, filed by the nationwide disability insurance law firm of Dell Disability Lawyers, MetLife claims that despite the woman’s medical diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Social Isolation, Phobias, Chest Pains, and Limb Numbness, that she is capable of performing her job as an information technology (IT) specialist for a manufacturer of dangerous chemicals.

Incredibly, MetLife claims that the client caused her own mental health issues by refusing to take potentially dangerous medication while pregnant and later breast feeding. Additionally, MetLife stated in its denial letter that the insurance company’s hired medical consultant states the woman is capable of working because she provided documents and records demanded by MetLife in a coherent manner.

“Your correspondence and communication with MetLife is neatly prepared and logical, well organized, and detailed. (Our) consultant indicated that this demonstrates that you have retained normal cognitive and organizational abilities which require consideration, focus, and fluent expression.”

Meanwhile, the client has faced foreclosure on her home, and continues to receive treatment for her psychological issues. She was forced to retain the counsel of attorneys to receive the benefits contractually owed to her under the terms of her long term disability policy.

The refusal by MetLife violates terms of her MetLife disability policy and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, commonly referred to as ERISA.

The client seeks MetLife to pay all Long Term Disability Benefits due to her under the terms of The Plan, plus all other damages, interest, and attorney’s fees. She also seeks all damages in the form of full, past, present, and future disability insurance benefits, interests, and attorney’s fees due to her pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1132(g)(1).

The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division.