Yet another person screwed by Guardian's corporate greed
Reviewed by Bill on March 14th 2016 Verified Policyholder
I am constantly being harassed by the Guardian to supply meaningless forms and information with threats of denial of benefits. The requests are ‘meaningless’, as I have been approved and collecting benefits for more then 15 years, and each year compelled to supply attending physicians statements, as well as meeting with and being examined by independent medical evaluations and FCE’s. But, the ‘meaningless’ forms continue. I am sure, that the Guardian is looking to find a mistake to allow them to deny benefits until such time that the ‘mistake’/typo’ is corrected. there seems to be no understanding that the benefits are a life blood… they pay my rent, my food, my medical treatments and medications. currently, the guardian is now asking, (3 months since my last IME), for my employment history… and instead of the 15 years requirment as written on the standard form, they have stated they require 30 years of information. I am not sure about others, but, as I have not worked in over 15 years, I am unable to recall the names and dates and other information of my past employers… I can ‘kinda’ recall some names, but certainly not the cities, or the dates… I can also state they were related to construction managment, I worked in refineries, I worked in shopping malls, I worked in movie theaters, and at school districts, but other then that, I don’t recall much. in fact, the last time I did any kind of resume/CV, is when I applied for benefits with the Guardian. I would request from them, the form and information I supplied to them when I applied for benefits, but I am positive they will ignore that request, as they have ignored EVERY SINGLE thing I have requested from them… I would think a professional could represent me, and maybe convince them of the futility of their ‘WANTS’ and requests. but, I am unable to afford any percentage of my income to get them to act in a human/compassionate way… am I ‘screwed’… just as every other person with limited and fixed income is screwed by corporate greed and or personal vendettas by thier employees?
Reviewed by Robert W. on April 13th 2020 Verified Policyholder
Guardian denied my LTD due to doctor’s office not sending medical records quickly due to office closed because of Corona virus. There was nothing that I could do to get ...
Reply
Sent on April 13th 2020 by Attorney Gregory Dell
Robert, this is very unfortunate and sad to hear. You would think that Guardian might understand that the great majority of the country is “shut down” and getting docu...
Reviewed by Virginia Z on March 20th 2020 Verified Policyholder
I became disabled in 2018 (Lupus and Sjogren’s). I’m 54 and I worked over 30 years (for the government) before I became disabled. I received Guardian STD and then LTD ...
Reply
Sent on March 20th 2020 by Attorney Jay Symonds
Virginia: This is a very unfortunate situation they’ve put you in. You should request in writing an extension of time to submit the information and documentation. You sh...
Reviewed by Kate on September 20th 2017 Verified Policyholder
All of a sudden (after 12 years), Guardian LTD is sending more and more paperwork – especially after someone stole my identity and filed taxes in my name. The IRS knows ...
Reply
Sent on September 20th 2017 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
Kate, please contact our office to discuss your claim in greater detail with one of our disability insurance attorneys.
Reviewed by James R. on May 19th 2017 Verified Policyholder
I have received Long Term Disability through Guardian. They cut off my checks in July of last year. I appealed their denial and won. Now I am fighting them to get my W-2 f...
Reply
Sent on May 19th 2017 by Attorney Rachel Alters
James, have you made your request in writing? Also, is your benefit taxable? If it is not, Guardian would likely not send anything.
When you finally receive a letter from Guardian Disability informing you that your claim for long term disability benefits has been approved, it can be easy to assume it's smooth sailing from here on out. Unfortunately, approval isn't the end of the story - and if the claimant doesn't maintain the medical records and other evidence to support their continued rec...
Almost every Group (ERISA) Long Term Disability Benefit Plan contains a provision which limits the length of time disability benefits will be paid for a mental/nervous or mental health condition. If a disability results from a mental health condition, benefits are typically limited to 24 months and can even be limited to just 12 months. For this reason, disability insurance companies go to extra lengths to att...
When it comes to securing your disability insurance benefits, it's vitally important that your disability insurance lawyer thoroughly understands the symptoms and impact of your disabling condition. Doctors can help you create strong medical records, but they're not accustomed to dealing with the rigorous documentation disability insurance companies require. Lea...
If you're seeking long term disability benefits from an insurance company, you may be concerned that you're facing an uphill battle. Fortunately, the stronger your medical evidence, the greater the odds that your claim will be approved. On the other side of the coin, one of the most common reasons for denial of long term disability benefits involves too-weak med...
New York Life denied continued long-term disability benefits to our client — a Florida process manager employed by Winpak with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and related spinal conditions — at the exact moment his policy's definition of disability changed from own-occupation to any-occupation. The insurer relied entirely on a paper review by a non-examining physici...
Principal Life Insurance Company terminated our client’s long-term disability benefits for POTS and dysautonomia at the 24-month mark on the strength of a paper review by an internal-medicine doctor and a handful of social media photos showing her on a hike. That was the “evidence” that overrode two years of paid benefits, a TPN line, and a multi-system au...
New York Life paid our client's long-term disability benefits for two years — and the moment the policy definition shifted at the 24-month mark, the insurer cut her off. She had spent 38 years at Lockheed Martin Corporation as an Information System Security Officer in Georgia, doing work built on classified cybersecurity, technical guidelines, sustained computer use, and det...
Lincoln Financial terminated long-term disability benefits for a North Carolina Hitachi Energy project manager after more than three years of payments — cutting him off precisely when the policy definition shifted from own occupation to any occupation. Our client had suffered a heart attack, required coronary stent placement and a pericardial window procedure,...
In a recent case out of New York, the court found that the Plaintiff did not provide a good enough reason for failing to timely file his ERISA action.New York in Viti v. The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, the plaintiff's disability was not disputed; both parties agreed that his disability was genuine and prevented him from returning to work. However, the plaintiff missed the deadline for filin...
Recently, in the case of Laser & Cosmetic Dermatology S.C and Jawdat Abboud Vs. Guardian Life Insurance Company Of America, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America filed at the District Court for Northern Illinois Eastern Division, the plaintiff Jawdat Abboud through his disability attorney alleged that the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (a subsidiary of Guardian Life Insurance Company Of ...
A recent lawsuit filed against Guardian Life Insurance Company highlight an issue that comes up regularly for disability insurance claimants that have minor children and are approved for Social Security Disability Benefits. Monica Johnson has been receiving long-term disability benefit payments from Guardian Life (Guardian) since August, 2003 as result of her becoming completely and totally disabled in April, ...
Dell Disability Lawyers filed a disability insurance lawsuit against The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America in a New Jersey Federal court. The lawsuit involves a New Jersey OB/GYN's claim for long term disability benefits following injuries he suffered in a car accident.According to the disability lawyers involved with the lawsuit, Guardian Life Insurance paid the doctor for approximately two years...
They were very professional with their responds and on time with keeping you inform about everything with your case. I would recommend My lawyer Stephen Jessup, he was on point with everything, thank you. You guys are awesome people to work with. God bless you guys.
Keith L.
I was not able to work as a physician for about 14 months due to neck/back issues. Even though I had 3 medical doctors explicitly state that I was not to work AT ALL as a physician at that time, New York Life (NYL) Disability Insurance denied my long term disability claim (which apparently they deny a high percentage of people similar to me- only they know why they do this to so many- I have my own suspicions). I was in pain from my medical issues and so frustrated with NYL considering I had many bills coming due. I then decided to call Dell Disability Lawyers. One of their attorneys, Alex Palamara, spoke to me on the phone right then to hear and understand my story and then offer ways he could help. Long story short, within a few months of me returning back to work, he was able to persuade NYL to pay me my long term disability claim. He (and his kind assistant, Tabitha) were always very helpful, informative, and available to me. I feel quite certain that NYL would NEVER have paid me what was appropriate based on my insurance agreement/ contract with them without the help of Alex. I highly recommend him/Dell Disability Lawyers. If you find yourself in a similar situation of disability insurance denial of your own personal/group policy, especially if you are a medical provider/physician like me, then consider contacting them for advice/direction PRIOR to appealing your claim on your own.
Kyle D.
Jay Symonds and his assistant, Sonia helped me tremendously. The insurance company that worked for my former employer did everything they could to make my life literally miserable. That all changed when I hired Jay. He and Sonia fought for my rights and forced the insurance company to pay what they should have.
If you have a disability claim hire Jay as if you go it alone the insurance company will screw you. Jay and Sonia will fight for everything you are entitled for. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.
Frank R.
I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with Dell Disability Lawyers. Attorney Stephen Jessup and Amanda offered an opportunity to provide clarity on a complex issue regarding my disability claim. Mr. Jessup offered advice on an offset to my claim after my insurance company asked for additional information from Social Security. With counsel from Mr. Jessup, I was able to address the outstanding issue with the Social Security office and provide my insurance company with the required documentation to address their concerns. Mr. Jessup always responded in a timely manner with expert advice and offered the opportunity for follow up. I strongly recommend Dell Disability Lawyers to those seeking legal counsel for disability matters.
Wesley D.
I have been able to help others as a soldier, a police officer, and a pharmacist. I needed help forcing the insurance company to keep their commitment to take care of me and my family. I called Dell. Alex, Tabitha, and their entire team were very compassionate, extremely patient, and extraordinarily knowledgeable. Many thanks Dell!
Samar A.
My husband had applied for Long Term Disability and was denied. We sought out Rachel Alters at Dell Disability Lawyers to help us with our appeal. Rachel and her team were so diligent and meticulous in every aspect of the process. The process was seamless, and we never had any doubts that she would get it done and that she did! We are forever grateful to Rachel and Catherine for all of their determination and tenacity to get us the outcome we needed and deserved.
We could not recommend better representation and are indebted to them for making us whole again. Thank you so much Rachel and team!
Jam
Alex Palamara is one of The Best lawyers in the world and Dell Disability Lawyers are the Best by Far. Alex and his Assistant Tabitha helped me get the compensation I needed for a Horrific Disabling heath condition I’ve been dealing with for over a year. Alex and his team were so professional and caring. They treated me like I was there own family. Alex Knowledge, Expertise and skills as a Lawyer is among the Best of the Best in his field and I would HIGHLY recommend that if you ever have any issues with any Insurance Company over your Disability issues, please don’t hesitate to seek out Dell Disability and Alex Palamara. They truly are Amazing and caring. Thank God for them. Outstanding Job Alex and Tabitha
G.T.
9 years ago when I had to apply for disability benefits from my private disability policy the insurance company ignored my inquiries until Dell and Schaefer represented me and I have received the benefits without interruption til my policy expired at age 65. I have appreciated not having to deal directly with the insurance company and having attorney Greg Dell and assistant Danielle Lauria handle all communications which included monthly progress reports. I thank them for their efforts on my behalf and highly recommend them to all those in need of disability benefits.
Misty A.
I’m so thankful I chose to reach out to the attorneys at Dell. They have always been quick to respond to any and all questions I have had. The anxiety I had while dealing with Lincoln Financial on my own has decreased immensely since Alex and Danielle took my case. They were able to get my LTD denial reversed and I am so very grateful!
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