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California Judge Reverses MetLife Disability Benefit Denial Due To Neuromusculoskeletal Limitation

California Judge Reverses MetLife Disability Benefit Denial Due To Neuromusculoskeletal Limitation

Presented by Attorney Cesar Gavidia

Cesar Gavidia is a Partner at Dell Disability Lawyers and a founding member of the firm's disability income division. Cesar has dedicated his entire legal career to disability insurance. He has assisted claimants in nearly every state, across all occupations — including surgeons, dentists, lawyers, judges, and corporate executives. Cesar has litigated against every major disability insurance company and has developed deep expertise in their internal claims handling processes. He is admitted to the State Bars of Florida and California.

Published Jun 15, 2018. Last modified Mar 3, 2026.

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MetLife Reviews

(56)

Policy Holder Rating

1.6 out of 5

Read 56 reviews

5

0%

4

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3

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2

57%

1

42%

Timely Payments

2.0out of 5

Handling Claim

1.9out of 5

Customer Service

2.1out of 5

Dependable

1.9out of 5

Value

1.9out of 5

Showing 4 of 56 Reviews

MetLife

Horrible STD Service. Run !!!!

Reviewed by Scott F. on July 8th 2025 Verified Policyholder | June 2025 date of disability

For the first time since I can remember my employer did not offer STD as one of my paid benefits so I’m paying for this policy. Had to file a claim on 6-14-25. Went thro...

MetLife

They will do anything to not approve your claim

Reviewed by Amanda on January 29th 2025 Verified Policyholder | January 2025 date of disability

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...

Reply

Sent on January 27th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Amanda,We are sorry to hear about your MetLife experience. Stay on top of them and it’s likely they will past you since you are post surgery....

MetLife

They FULL OF ****

Reviewed by KM on October 3rd 2024 Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability

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...

MetLife

MetLife for disability? Avoid the surgery unless it's life-threatening

Reviewed by Jeff on August 22nd 2024 Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability

The worst company I ever dealt with, never received a call from my claim manager.

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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers

(76)

Showing 4 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)?

Answered on March 24th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Jim:If this payment is a form of a retirement or pension payment then it is likely correct for Metlife to of...

Q: Do I have an option after my appeal is denied?

Answered on April 10th 2024 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Lauren:If your appeal is denied by MetLife then you have the option to file lawsuit in federal court.

Q: My daughter died in 2019

Answered on February 12th 2024 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: If your daughter was disabled prior to being terminated then she should have coverage.

Q: Can I sue Metlife for non payment of approved claim?

Answered on December 28th 2023 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Unfortunately, the answer is "not liklely." I would assume your MetLife policy is an employer provided policy ...

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Helpful Videos

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Disability Benefit Tips

(331)

Showing 4 of 331 Benefit Tips

How Does Having A Disability Lawyer Help Me Fight For Metlife Disability Benefits?

Metlife is one of the top five largest long term disability insurance companies. They have tons of resources and people that they rely upon to evaluate long term disability claims. Our disability insurance attorney have handled thousands of long term disability insurance claims and have the experience to give a claimant the best opportunity to collect long term ...

What Should I Expect if Metlife Wants to Send Someone to Interview me?

Metlife has a team of full time employees that go around the country interviewing long term disability claimants. These interviews are often used as the basis to deny a long term disability claim. In this video, disability insurance attorney Gregory Dell some discusses some basic things to expect if an interview has been requested. Our lawyers are available to h...

MetLife Disability Buyout and Lump Sum Settlements are Back

MetLife is one of the top five largest group and private disability insurance companies nationwide. As of January 2016 it appears that Met Life is now interested in considering the buyout of a claimant's group long term disability policy. MetLife has always done buyouts of individual disability insurance policies.For the past ten years Met Life was not interested in buying out the disability policy of a cl...

Metlife - Latest trends seen in handling ERISA and private disability insurance claims

In this video nationwide disability insurance lawyers Gregory Dell and Cesar Gavidia discuss the latest trends they are seeing in Metlife's handling of both ERISA and private disability insurance claims....

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Our Resolved Cases

(398)

Showing 4 of 398 Our Resolved Cases

Salesforce Software Engineer with Migraines wins MetLife Disability Appeal

MetLife paid our client's long-term disability benefits for nearly three years — then terminated them, claiming his file no longer proved he was disabled. Nothing about his condition had changed. Our client is a Senior Director of Software Engineering at Salesforce, and he lives in Arkansas. His chronic migraines are triggered by the very computer screens his ...

Visa Senior Technical Manager With Bi-Polar And Depression Wins Metlife Appeal

MetLife terminated our client's long-term disability benefits — despite her own treating psychiatrist confirming she could not work full time, part time, or in any modified work environment. MetLife's hired reviewer simply disagreed, and that was enough for MetLife to cut her off.Our client was a Senior Technical Product Manager at Visa Inc. in Florida, di...

American Express Team Leader Wins Metlife Disability Appeal

MetLife terminated our client's long-term disability benefits — not once, but twice — despite overwhelming medical evidence that she was too physically impaired to work. Our client, a Team Leader for American Express in Florida, had been forced to stop working due to high-output congestive heart failure, chronic bilateral lymphedema, and a constellation of s...

ERG International Customer Service Rep Wins Two MetLife Disability Appeals

MetLife denied our client's long-term disability claim twice in less than two years — both times by relying on a non-examining psychiatrist who never laid eyes on her, and both times by ignoring the lupus, connective-tissue disease, and joint hypermobility that were independently destroying her ability to work.Our client is a Texas customer service represe...

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Disability Lawsuit Stories

(766)

Showing 4 of 766 Lawsuit Stories

Judge Agrees that MetLife's Denial of Long Term Disability Benefits was Reasonable

In Anne Ehlert v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), Ehlert was a consulting pension actuary for pension plans at Towers Watson. Her first day of work with Towers was September 8, 2003. Her last day of work was December 23, 2015. In August 2016, she applied for long-term disability (LTD) benefits under her employer’s disability insurance benefit plan which was administered by MetLife.In thi...

Court Rules That MetLife Improperly Limited Proof Of Claim To Only Objective Data

In Roberts v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., C.A. No. 6:18-cv-725-TMC (D. S.C. Sept. 3, 2019), Plaintiff worked for IBM for more than eighteen (18) years when he stopped working in September 2010 due to intractable migraine headaches and cervical pain. He filed claims for Social Security (“SS”) disability benefits and short term disability (STD) benefits with MetLife, which is the claims adminis...

California Federal Court Overturns MetLife’s Denial of Disability Benefits

Application for Long-term Disability Under Kaiser Health PlanRenee Monroe worked as a Human Resources Compliance Specialist for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (“Kaiser”). Beginning in 2013 Ms. Monroe began experiencing significant low back pain and was taking off of work by her physicians. An MRI of her lower back indicated diffuse disk bulges at the L5-S1 vertebral disc. Ms. M...

Court Rules That MetLife Did Not Consider The Material Duties Of Claimants Occupation

In Monroe v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 2020 WL 143005 (E.D. Cal. March 24, 2020), Plaintiff worked for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (“Kaiser”) until 2014 when chronic lumbar back pain caused her stop working. She applied for long term disability benefits (LTD) but was denied. Plaintiff hen filed suit under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) to recover benefits due to her....

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Reviews from Our Clients

Keith G.

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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Five Ways We Help Get Your Disability Benefit Paid

5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid

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.

Through our experience of having helped thousands of disability insurance claimants, our disability insurance lawyers will guide you through the entire application process and give you the best chance to get your disability claim approved the first time.

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Submit A Strong Appeal Package

If your disability insurance benefits have been wrongfully denied, then our disability insurance lawyers know exactly what it takes to get your disability claim approved. You only get once chance to submit an Appeal, therefore every piece of evidence that will support your disability claim must be included. The goal is to win your disability benefits at the Appeal level, but while preparing your Appeal you must consider how a federal judge will review your disability claim if your benefit denial is upheld.

Preparing a strong disability appeal package is an art that requires you to understand how the courts interpret your disability policy language, ERISA regulations / laws, and how to strategically present evidence in support of your definition of disability. We encourage you to contact any of our long-term disability attorneys for a free immediate review of your disability denial.

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Sue Your Disability Company

98% of the disability insurance lawsuits filed by our law firm have resulted in either the payment of benefits or a lump-sum settlement agreement. Our disability insurance attorneys have filed ERISA governed and private policy long term disability insurance lawsuits against every major disability insurance company in state and federal courts nationwide and we love fighting for the little guy against the multi-billion dollar insurance company giants.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and we would like the opportunity to provide you with a free review of your disability benefit denial. There are many complex factors in a disability benefit lawsuit and the legal battle to win long term disability benefits can be fierce.

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Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial

Approval of long-term disability is a continuous process as every disability insurance company will evaluate your eligibility for benefits on a monthly basis. You can never let your guard down and assume that your disability company will continue to pay your benefits for as long as you think you need them.

Our disability insurance law firm offers a reasonable flat fee monthly claim handling service in which we handle every aspect of your long-term disability claim and do whatever it takes to make sure you are paid every month.

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Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

Let's discuss if a lump-sum settlement or buyout of your disability insurance claim is both available and makes financial sense for you. Our disability insurance lawyers have negotiated more than five-hundred million dollars in disability insurance buyouts and we know how to get you a maximum settlement. A disability insurance company is not required to offer a buyout and not every disability company offers them.

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Questions About Hiring Us

Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?

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.

We offer disability insurance attorney representation nationwide and we welcome you to contact any of our LTD lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 900 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

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.

Do you work in my state?

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.

How can I contact you?

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.

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