Nurse wins opportunity for reassessment of claim with Liberty Life for long-term disability benefits based on her fibromyalgia
Robin Doyle was a registered nurse working for ChoicePoint Services, and filed a claim for short-term disability benefits on January 30, 2004. She based her disability on a number of conditions, including anal fissure, enlarged internal hemorrhoids, and external anal skin tags. She underwent surgery on February 10, 2004, in an effort to solve these health problems.
Liberty Life granted the maximum term of short-term disability benefits, which ran through May 9, 2004. Liberty Life then undertook to assess whether Ms. Doyle would qualify for long-term disability benefits after the expiration of the short-term disability benefit period. Based on a review of her records by an independent physician hired by Liberty Life, the insurance company denied Ms. Doyle her long-term disability benefits.
After her claim was denied, Ms. Doyle treated with a rheumatologist who diagnosed her with fibromyalgia. Armed with this new diagnosis, Ms. Doyle appealed the denial of her claim. Liberty Life denied the claim for long-term disability benefits, and Ms. Doyle filed suit.
The trial court found in favor of Liberty Life, and upheld the decision to deny disability benefits to Ms. Doyle, who appealed the decision of the trial court. The appellate court reversed the trial court, stating that the trial court had erred in not requiring Liberty Life to show that there was no conflict of interest for the carrier in both making the decision to deny disability benefits and being responsibility for paying disability benefits if it found that Ms. Doyle was disabled.
Ultimately, the appellate court sent the case back to the trial court to re-review the evidence in light of the conflict of interest. Ms. Doyle will therefore have another opportunity to have the trial court review her case and claim for long-term disability benefits.
See Doyle v. Liberty Life Assurance Co. of Boston, 511 F.3d 1336 (11th Cir. 2008).
Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits
Submit a Strong Liberty Mutual Appeal Package
We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong Liberty Mutual appeal.
Sue Liberty Mutual
We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against Liberty Mutual.
Get Your Liberty Mutual Disability Application Approved
Prevent a Liberty Mutual Disability Benefit Denial
Negotiate a Liberty Mutual Lump-Sum Settlement
Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.
Gregory Dell and Stephen Jessup discuss their experience in handling Liberty Mutual claims at all stages
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance
How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?
Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review
Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME
How to Apply for Reliance Standard Disability Benefits & Top 5 Reasons for a Claim Denial
Applying for Standard Disability Benefits? Top 5 Claim Denial Reasons
Liberty Mutual Approves Disability Benefits to Senior Vice President
Liberty Mutual Overturns Denial of Disability Benefits Following Submission of an ERISA Appeal
Liberty Reinstates Long Term Disability Benefits for the Second Time
After it had previously overturned a denial after an initial Dell Disability Lawyers Appeal, Liberty denied our client's claim again. After a new appeal, Liberty has now agreed to reinstate our client yet again.
Liberty Mutual of NY Disability Benefit Denial Reversed After Two Denials In One Year
Dell Disability Lawyers Successfully Appeals Denial of Benefits to Former Inventory Control Specialist
Liberty Mutual Twice Denies and Approves Long-term Disability Benefits to IT Systems Analyst with Rheumatoid Arthritis
After Initially Being Denied Long Term Disability Benefits, Dell Disability Lawyers Gets Former Wal-Mart Employee on Claim with Liberty Mutual
Reviews from Our Clients






