I have had repeat claims for genuine medical leave and they have repeatedly been denied by NY Life. I have even been diagnosed with Lyme and going through treatments and t... read more >

New York Life

Disappointed with NY Life Disability Excuses

Reviewed by Carina S. on November 12th 2024 Verified Policyholder

I am beyond disappointed with NY Life Disability Insurance’s handling of my father’s claim. My father, a 66-year-old man who has suffered two strokes and continues to ... read more >

New York Life

New York Life is a joke!

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

This company sucks when it comes to disability claims. They are slow at processing stuff, then they always say they didn't recieve the doctors information. You spend your ... read more >

New York Life

Claiming They Are Not Receiving Paperwork

Reviewed by Macey on June 26th 2024 Verified Policyholder | February 2024 date of disability

After suffering from medical issues from my delivery in February, I had to have a colostomy bag placed. Now New York Life is trying to claim my condition was pre-existing ... read more >

New York Life

Keeps claiming they will not approve claim for pre existing conditions but my illness is not preexisting

Reviewed by M.T. on February 15th 2024 Verified Policyholder | May 2023 date of disability

I have been appealing a claim for LTD for 8 months! New York Life keeps claiming they will not approve claim for pre existing conditions but my illness is not preexisting ... read more >

New York Life

Payment delays!

Reviewed by Kim W on May 7th 2022 Verified Policyholder | September 2021 date of disability

I have a Long term disability claim with New York Life. Approval process did not take too long and they did start my LTD just a few days after my STD ended. First check wa... read more >

New York Life

NYL denied my claim

Reviewed by Trapped in the cogs on March 7th 2022 Verified Policyholder | May 2021 date of disability

I’ve been an RN for 31 years. I lost 6 family members (3 of those to cancer) in 9 months and suffered a breakdown, I just couldn’t watch people die anymore. Cigna (NYL... read more >

New York Life

Hold up on payments!!!

Reviewed by A Crews on January 20th 2022 Verified Policyholder | July 2021 date of disability

I have had 3 people on my case since July 2021! This last person Amanda S drag her feet on my claims and payments. I literally have to go to my mom for help! When I contac... read more >

Write a Review See All Reviews

Answered Questions by Our Lawyers

(31)

Showing 8 of 31 Answered Questions

Q: LTD canceled their request for updated med records?

Answered on March 10th 2025 by Attorney Jay Symonds

A: Most Authorizations are only good for two years so depending on when you signed it, it may no longer be valid ... Read More >

Q: Why is New York Life Insurance giving me a hard time?

Answered on January 29th 2025 by Attorney Alex Palamara

A: Holly, the requirements of NYL depends on the type of policy that you are inquiring about. I would need to rev... Read More >

Q: NYL LTD also have LLC

Answered on April 12th 2024 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: LLC and LTD,If you receive active income, meaning its not considered passive investment income from the LLC ... Read More >

Q: Can I submit my resignation while on STD with NY Life? I don’t know if I’ll be able to return when they want and I would rather give a 2 weeks notice.

Answered on March 28th 2024 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Generally we do not recommend resigning from your job while on disability to avoid any potential issues with c... Read More >

Q: New York Life LTD offset my disabled adult child.

Answered on March 28th 2024 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Yes, we have handled cases with fact patterns similar in nature. However, as you are in litigation already we ... Read More >

Q: My father has been in STD Cigna and LTD with New York Life since Jan 2021, diagnosed Pulmonary Fibrosis due to Covid-19. Can insurance and ex job make him return to work?

Answered on January 16th 2024 by Attorney Alex Palamara

A: Walt, while no one can force your father back to work, NYL can certainly deny benefits if they believe there i... Read More >

Q: Do I have to sign agreement to pay back difference in LTD payment and SSDI payment?

Answered on November 10th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: You do not need to sign the agreement to pay back SSDI. Disability companies try to make you do this and you a... Read More >

Q: Can NYLG just stop payment?

Answered on June 23rd 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Moe, unfortunately long term disability insurance companies can deny benefits at anytime without notice. Conta... Read More >

Ask Our Lawyers a Question See All Answered Questions

Helpful Videos

(910)

Showing 12 of 910 Videos

See All Videos

Disability Benefit Tips

(331)

Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips

How Will Sale of Cigna Disability Division to New York Life Insurance Co. Affect Disability Claimants?

On December 18, 2019 Cigna entered into an agreement to sell their disability insurance and life insurance division for $6.3 billion. This is a monster deal in the disability insurance world as Cigna was one of the top five largest disability insurance companies in the world prior to the sale. With the purchase, NY Life Insurance company will instantly go from being a small disability insurance company to o... Read More >

Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?

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... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #5 – Your Medical Evidence is Weak

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... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company

When you're seeking disability insurance benefits, your medical records and treating physician's statement are two of the most important components of your claim. But because the insurance company has a vested interest in denying your disability insurance claim, it often will rely on tactics like ambushing your doctor with a phone call in an attempt to get them ... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance

One thing many disability insurance claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims review process involves video and social media surveillance. Disability insurance carriers often hire people to follow claimants around with a telephoto lens - or even send social media friend requests from fake accounts - to glean whatever information they can about the c... Read More >

How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?

Getting a denial letter from your disability insurance company is one of the ultimate insults. You are sick and not able to work, yet your disability insurance company is telling you to return to work. The disability insurance company has denied your disability benefit claim and is basically calling you a liar. When receiving a disability denial letter or a ph... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review

One of the top reasons for terminating a claimant's long term disability benefits involves the change in the disability insurance policy's definition of "disability." This definition change often happens in conjunction with a vocational review, or an analysis of a claimant's medical records that tells the insurance company which jobs the claimant should be able ... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME

At Dell Disability Lawyers, we've seen insurance companies give countless reasons to deny long term disability benefits. However, most disability benefit denials tend to fall into one of a few categories - and one of the biggest ones is the paper review and independent medical exam (IME). Learn more about what this review process entails and what your claim file... Read More >

See All Benefit Tips

Dell Disability Cases

(375)

Showing 8 of 375 Dell Disability Cases

New York Life Approves Disability Benefits for School Teacher With Multiple Sclerosis

Our client, a former elementary school teacher suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, contacted our office after New York Life terminated her claim for short term disability benefits and spoke with Attorney Stephen Jessup. New York Life had initially approved her claim for short term disability benefits, but in doing so awarded benefits only on account of a mental health condition, even though our client had filed... Read More >

New York Life Sued For Failing To Make A Timely Decision on Appeal

If your disability insurance claim has ever been denied you will have received a formal denial letter from your insurance carrier in which you are advised as to the basis of the denial as well as provided guidelines set forth by ERISA as to the filing of an administrative appeal to challenge the denial of benefits. The most important of these ERISA guidelines is the notification that you have 180 days from the... Read More >

NY Life Disability Benefits Reinstated on Appeal Despite Independent Medical Examination

Our client, a former high level medical sales representative, suffered from chronic pain stemming from his neck, back and hip that would eventually result in multiple surgeries to include lumbar fusion, cervical fusion and sacroiliac joint fusion. He initially filed his claim for disability benefits at age 62 due to the increasing pain he was experiencing, which... Read More >

Project Manager with Migraines Gets NY Life Disability Benefit Denial Reversed

Disability due to migraines is very common, but many disability insurance claims deny these long term disability claims because there is no objective evidence of migraines. New York Life will commonly try to limit disability benefits to 24 months and claim that your medical condition is mental and not physical.We were able to stop that from happening in this... Read More >

New York Life Overturns a Waiver of Premium for Group Life Insurance Policy

In early 2019, the widow of a decease man contacted our firm as she was troubled by the actions of New York Life. Prior to contacting our firm, the lady’s husband had died from metastatic prostate cancer in July of 2018. Through his prior employer, the decedent was covered under two insurance policies: (1) a group long term disability insurance policy that provided monthly income replacement benefits sho... Read More >

New York Life Admits Error In Denying Disability Benefits

Our client, a former school teacher, suffering from multiple severe medical conditions including autonomic nervous system damage, small fiber neuropathy, a history of prior back surgery, and severe immune conditions had been receiving long term disability benefits through New York Life for approximately two years under his school system’s group disability policy when he first contacted our office. Like the v... Read More >

New York Life Overturned Their Denial of LTD Benefits for Nevada Healthcare Coordinator

Our client, Ms. G, formerly worked as a Healthcare Coordinator for a large regional healthcare provider. For many years Ms. G suffered from chronic debilitating effects of multiple physical conditions and ailments, including, among other conditions, Intractable Pain, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, which left her with debilitating physical and cognitive impairments. Ms. G was unwilling to give up her career and ... Read More >

New York Life Denies Technology Manager under the Own Occupation Provision & Dell Disability Lawyers Wins Appeal

Our client, Mr. N, formerly worked as a Technology Manager / Vice President for a large bank. For many years Mr. N suffered from chronic debilitating effects of multiple physical conditions and ailments, including, among other conditions, Parkinson’s Disease, Parkinson’s Dementia, Dystonia and Bradykinesia, which left him with debilitating physical and cognitive impairments. Mr. N was unwilling to give up ... Read More >

See All Dell Disability Cases

Disability Lawsuit Stories

(765)

Showing 8 of 765 Lawsuit Stories

New Jersey claimant files suit against New York Life, Unum and Paul Revere for miscalculated disability benefits

William M. never suspected that should he need to make use of his disability insurance policy (which he had faithfully paid premiums on for years) that the promised disability benefits would be denied him when he needed them most.A sales representative for Long Forms, Inc., President and part owner of Advanced Transportation Systems, Inc. and The Institute of Logistical Management as well as an hourly empl... Read More >

Medical opinion by treating physician unreliable and unsupported by objective test

Citation: Reffkin v. N.Y. Life Ins., No. C 04-04953 CRB, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19732, (N.D. Cal. Aug. 29, 2005).Ruth Reffkin worked as an associate general manager for New York Life Insurance Company (hereinafter "N.Y. Life") and was covered under the company's group long-term disability plan. In 1994, Ms. Reffkin stopped working because she suffered from "occupationally induced asthma," and "sick building... Read More >

Reliance Standard Disability Denial Upheld Due to Claimant's Lack of Strong Medical Record Support

In the case of Amy Wright v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (Reliance), Plaintiff was the vice-president of health information services at Integrity Health Care when she stopped working on August 7, 2017. She brought claims for benefits under an LTD insurance policy and a waiver of premiums under a life insurance policy.In order to be approved for LTD benefits, Plaintiff ... Read More >

Unum Wrongfully Terminated Disabled Lawyer’s Disability Claim of Depression and Anxiety Despite Improvement in His Condition

This Unum lawsuit and appeal in federal court is a great victory for all Unum disability claimants. This case supports all claimants that are disabled and claim that they cannot return to work as the requirements of their job will aggravate their symptoms and make them unable to work.Mark was a personal injury litigation attorney, when he began struggling with symptoms of... Read More >

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 terminated Ferrin’s claim for long term disability benefits and ordered Aetna to reinstate Ferrin’s claim and pay all past due benefits with interest. Prior to filing for long term disability Ferrin was an employee of Southwest Airlines. In 2008, while at work, she suf... Read More >

Court Finds Irregularities in Procter & Gamble Disability Insurance Benefit Denial

In ERISA cases filed in a district court asking for judicial review of a plan administrator's denial of benefits, the court is generally limited to considering only the administrative record that was before the plan administrator. The case of Robert Stallings v. The Proctor & Gamble Disability, Committee, et al., is an example of how plaintiffs with cases filed in a District Court that is under the jurisdi... Read More >

Federal Judge Makes Companion Life Insurance Pay Disability Benefits

Companion Life tried to play games and deny disability insurance benefits, but thankfully a New Mexico Federal Judge made them pay disability benefits and attorney fees. The Plaintiff, Mr. Paul Chandhok, was recently awarded disability benefits in a decision by The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, in a case decided on August 13, 2021. What makes this decision important for plaintif... Read More >

NFL Disability Review Board Ignores Evidence of Disability and Appeal Court Reverses Lower Court Decision

In Darren Mickell v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan (Plan), Mickell spent nine years in the NFL as a defensive end. He was repeatedly subjected to high speed contact hits which caused multiple orthopedic injuries to his “back, ribs, shoulders, arms, hands, knees, hips, legs, and feet." He had multiple orthopedic surgeries. Mickell also sustained multiple blows to his head t... Read More >

See All Lawsuit Stories

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!

View All Reviews (503)