Metlife's denial of disability benefits to an event coordinator is upheld
A former Event Coordinator for CITGO covered under a group insurance policy by MetLife was denied long-term disability coverage based on the any occupation definition of long-term disability.
The Event Coordinator filed a claim for long-term disability with MetLife based on hypertension, memory loss, diabetes neuropathy, and post-traumatic stress disorder. MetLife approved his claim under the own occupation definition of total disability for the 12-month period of own occupation disability in the policy. After 12 months, the definition of total disability changed to any occupation, and the nurse reviewing the case determined that the claimant had the ability to work in any occupation other than as an Event Coordinator, and therefore no longer met the applicable definition of total disability under the policy.
On appeal, two independent physicians found there was nothing in the medical records to indicate the former employee could not work in another occupation. The trial court granted summary judgment to MetLife; on appeal, this decision was upheld.
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MetLife Reviews
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MetLife
They will do anything to not approve your claim
MetLife’s handling of my short-term disability claim has been incredibly frustrating and stressful. I followed all the necessary steps prior to my surgery, providing the... read more >
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MetLife
They FULL OF ****
MetLife is what everyone on this review are saying. They don't contact you to let you know what's going on with your claim or to let know you need additional info. I had a... read more >
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MetLife for disability? Avoid the surgery unless it's life-threatening
The worst company I ever dealt with, never received a call from my claim manager.
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Only care about $$$$$
PLAY THEIR GAME FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE.....after getting a copy of the insurance policy from my HR. I nipped a lot of the headaches quickly by calling their bluff word for w... read more >
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They demanded an overpayment, stopped my claim, and lied about it
Metlife over paid me. Stopped my Ltd claim. The overpayment were not done right. They lied and said they deposited money in my account.
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MetLife
Your decision making process is absurd!
My wife went through a nightmare with a back surgery for two discs. When the first surgery took place, the Dr. cracked a different vertebrae as they placed the metal rods ... read more >
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My husband has 2-5 yrs to live, yet MetLife has been giving him the run around
My husband has STD and LTD with his employer. He was dx with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease Aug 2019, made official after many many test, as of Jan 2020 but continued to work ... read more >
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Inappropriate conduct!! Rude, discriminatory, etc
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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
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Showing 8 of 76 Answered Questions
Q: Can Metlife reduce my LTD benefit due to SERP payments that were not paid to me (they went directly to FICA taxes)?
A: Jim:If this payment is a form of a retirement or pension payment then it is likely correct for Metlife to of... Read More >
Q: Do I have an option after my appeal is denied?
A: Lauren:If your appeal is denied by MetLife then you have the option to file lawsuit in federal court. Read More >
Q: My daughter died in 2019
A: If your daughter was disabled prior to being terminated then she should have coverage. Read More >
Q: Can I sue Metlife for non payment of approved claim?
A: Unfortunately, the answer is "not liklely." I would assume your MetLife policy is an employer provided policy ... Read More >
Q: How far behind in payments does Metlife have to be to take legal action?
A: Make sure you put all of your requests in writing so there is a record should you end up in court. It’s best... Read More >
Q: Does Metlife pay Disability payments ahead? Example: December payment is for January.
A: Peg, most disability insurers pay monthly disability benefits in arrears, in other words, payments are made fo... Read More >
Q: Would any new disabling conditions be considered by Metlife when considering whether or not to continue my benefits?
A: The change in diagnosis will likely lead to denial so please explain the situation to your treating doctor. Me... Read More >
Q: MetLife: Mental Health and Physical Disabilities
A: If you have physical disabilities that prevent you from working then you have options to get around the mental... Read More >
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Mr. W was working as a Quality Assurance Engineer for a major technology company when he was forced to stop working at the age of 52. He had been suffering from severe heart disease and co-morbid complications. He also suffered a heart attack and had a progressively worsening diabetic foot ulcer which required him to use a knee scooter to ambulate.After filing a claim for disability benefits under his empl... Read More >
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Disability Lawsuit Stories
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Get Your Disability Application Approved
Our goal is to get your application for disability insurance benefits approved. Applying for disability insurance benefits can be a difficult process and the information you provide is critical. Most disability insurance companies look at your application in hopes of finding a reason to deny your claim. Your disability company will ask you to complete numerous forms, interview you, request lots of information, speak with your doctors and possibly request to have you examined by their hired gun doctor.
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We are disability insurance attorneys that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.
Our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement in more than 98% of our cases. Our disability insurance lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.
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Our disability insurance attorneys help individuals that have either purchased a long term disability insurance policy from an insurance company or obtained short or long term disability insurance coverage as a benefit from their employer. We have helped individuals in almost every type of occupation with monthly disability benefit payments ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.
Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.
A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.
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Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability insurance lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.
What are your fees?
Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.
The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.
In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.
Do I have to come to your office to work with your law firm?
No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, or video conferencing sessions. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.
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When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability insurance attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.