After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Hartford overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for Tennessee Claims Supervisor

Our client, Ms. G, formerly worked as a Claims Supervisor for a large national insurance carrier. In November 2012 a number of medical issues, including Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis forced Ms. G to stop working and submit her claim for disability benefits first under her employer’s short-term disability (STD) policy and then continuing under its long-term disability (LTD) policy. Both benefits were administered by Hartford. Under her employer’s disability policies Ms. G would be considered totally disabled after 24-months if she was unable to perform the essential duties of any gainful occupation, which was defined as any occupation she was qualified to perform by education, training and experience.

After paying Ms. G for more than two years under the LTD Policy, Hartford denied further LTD benefits on the basis that she allegedly no longer met the policy definition of disability. Specifically, Hartford stated that, based on video surveillance and a 3rd party medical records review, Ms. G was “capable of working full time sedentary level work.” After receiving the denial, Ms. G contacted Dell Disability Lawyers and discussed her case with Attorney Jay Symonds. Attorney Symonds identified several significant issues in Hartford’s denial letter and in the evidence it relied on and agreed to prepare and submit Ms. G’s ERISA appeal with the assistance of his appeal team.

The LTD appeal addressed all of Hartford’s short-comings and reasons for denial, with a special focus on the medical records on and around the date of Hartford’s denial and significant inconsistencies with its medical reviewer’s findings. The appeal next addressed Hartford’s reliance on the video surveillance. Noting that there are extreme cases where surveillance activity is so inconsistent with a claimant’s reported limitations that a simple viewing of the surveillance may constitute sufficient evidence, Attorney Symonds established that Ms. G’s observed activities were not conclusively outside the range of activities of someone incapable of sedentary work. Further, the activities recorded were not inconsistent with Ms. G’s reported limitations as noted in her statements to Hartford and the reports from her treating physician. And finally, during an interview with Hartford’s Field Investigator, Ms. G, with no knowledge of the surveillance, informed the investigator that she had performed the activities observed on surveillance. In response the investigator did not ask a single question about the event; how it impacted her physically or cognitively; how she felt during and after the event; or how she felt the next day or week. Therefore, Hartford’s failure to any questions did not evidence a full and fair review.

Approximately six weeks later, and after reviewing the appeal and hundreds of pages of exhibits and medical records, Hartford overturned its decision to terminate benefits, reinstated Ms. G’s LTD benefits and paid full back benefits to date. Attorney Symonds continues to represent our client to best ensure that Hartford will not terminate her benefits again. Feel free to call our disability attorneys for a free consultation on this or any matter relevant to your disability claim.


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Hartford Reviews
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Showing 8 of 67 Reviews
Hartford

Hartford Stopped Payments

Reviewed by Fed up in PA on April 13th 2023   Verified Policyholder | January 2023 date of disability
Worst company ever. Their analysts will go against your treating provider every single time. Horrible experience, just horrible.
Hartford

Hartford never paid me

Reviewed by Nanette M. on April 26th 2020   Verified Policyholder
I went on disability March 25, 2019 until Dec. 23, 2019 from my job FedEx. The Hartford insurance company didn’t pay me my disability check after the end of July. I appe... read more >
Reply
Sent on April 26th 2020 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Nanette, we are sorry to hear that your claim for benefits for the period of July through December was denied. Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.read more >

Hartford

Hartford rep felt so guilty over how the company treated me that she quit

Reviewed by Delton on April 8th 2020   Verified Policyholder
It’s been since 1998 but they really screwed me over big time and caused my family and I much distress ~ first they required me to go to a psychiatric doctor before they... read more >
Reply
Sent on April 8th 2020 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Delton, I’m sorry to hear about the experience you had with Hartford. Unfortunately since your claim dates back to 1998 it would be too late to file suit as the statu... read more >

Hartford

Hartford ajuster won't return my calls. I might have to move back to California

Reviewed by Jesse on March 17th 2020   Verified Policyholder
I was awarded medical for life, for my back injuries at work by the court of Los Angeles in California years ago. I moved to Colorado two years ago and for the past few mo... read more >
Hartford

Hartford keeps saying they haven’t gotten my paperwork

Reviewed by David C. on March 3rd 2020   Verified Policyholder
I have a short term disability claim through the Hartford through my job. I was approved to go back to work on March 9th. The Hartford keeps telling me they did not get my... read more >
Reply
Sent on March 3rd 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

David, I would recommend you try to get a fax confirmation from your doctor, or better yet secure the information needed from your doctor and send to them. I have seen ... read more >

Hartford

I'm going bankrupt after Hartford rejected all my medical tests/records

Reviewed by JNC on February 26th 2020   Verified Policyholder
In January, I collapsed in a cross walk while crossing the street. I sustained injuries to my left knee and spine and have been chronic testing to determine the cause of m... read more >
Reply
Sent on February 26th 2020 by Attorney Jay Symonds

JNC: I suggest you contact our office and speak with one of the attorneys to address the specific questions you have regarding your situation as well as your options on... read more >

Hartford

Hartford has denying claims down to an artform

Reviewed by Judy P. on February 26th 2020   Verified Policyholder
I have been denied by the Hartford for LTD through my company. I can already tell they have this down to an artform.
Reply
Sent on February 26th 2020 by Attorney Jay Symonds

Judy: If this is the first denial you have the right to file an appeal but the deadline is time sensitive. Unless you plan to file your own appeal, I suggest you contac... read more >

Hartford

Hartford Insurance Company is a bunch of unpassionate people

Reviewed by Daniel B. on February 15th 2020   Verified Policyholder
Why is the Hartford Insurance Company a bunch of unpassionate people?
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
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Showing 8 of 49 Answered Questions

Q: Do I have to sign the overly broad "AUTHORIZATION TO OBTAIN AND DISCLOSE INFORMATION" form from The Hartford LTD insurance company?

Answered on March 24th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell
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Q: How Often Does Hartford Review My Disability Claim?

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A: LM: Generally speaking, Hartford would assume all rights and responsibilities available to Aetna on Aetna clai... Read More >

Q: Has Hartford been known to pay off doctors? 

Answered on March 24th 2020 by Attorney Rachel Alters
A: Adam, I haven’t heard of them paying off doctors but she will need to appeal the determination and find a ne... Read More >

Q: Can a chiropractor fill out the APS for The Hartford LTD claim?

Answered on February 4th 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Louis, yes, a Chiropractor can fill out an APS for a disability claim. That being said Hartford may try to min... Read More >

Q: Before I present my appeal, can I acquire exams and conduct an IME on my own (to avoid bribery/bias from Hartford)?

Answered on November 7th 2019 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Michael, yes. In the course of an appeal you want to get as much beneficial information as possible, to includ... Read More >

Q: Can I get a lawyer to get the back pay Hartford still owes me?

Answered on August 28th 2019 by Attorney Rachel Alters
A: Laren, you could hire an attorney but it may cost you more than what you are owed for the STD back pay. I woul... Read More >

Q: How many IMEs can Hartford make you go through?

Answered on August 24th 2019 by Attorney Jay Symonds
A: DWT, most group policies allow the carrier to request that you be examined as frequently as they deem reasonab... Read More >
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After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Hartford overturned its second denial of long term disability benefits for Alabama CEO

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Federal Court Overturns Aetna Denial Of Disability Benefits

In the recent case of Ferrin v. Aetna Life Ins. Co. a federal judge from the Northern District of Illinois determined that Aetna improperly te... Read More >

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In August of 2019, the next of kin for a man currently incarcerated in Florida State Prison reached out to our firm as his relative had been d... Read More >

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