Reliance Standard

My partner and I have been continuously harrassed by Reliance Standard for paperwork, and now want to pursue a lump sum for undue stress.

Reviewed by G in AZ on August 12th 2015   Verified Policyholder
My partner was diagnosed with late stage AIDS in Sept 2009, he received SSDI within 6 weeks of applying for it. He was also on LTD with Reliance Standard. The plan his employer had set up stated he would have benefits until he reaches his 65th birthday; he has just now passed his 49th. As previous people have said, he kept getting harassed every 3 to 6 mos for more paperwork, we send it 3 – 4 times and they finally say they have it, by that time we are passed the date he was to receive his check. Due to the stress caused by their representative he suffered a Heart Attack in Feb 2011 and has had to have 3 stints placed in his arteries around his heart. And now after 5 years on LTD with RSLI they have decided he can function and go back to work. My partner has lost over 100 lbs since his diagnosis, his viral load is non existent due to the meds but his T-Cell count is still less than 350 and he gets sick very easily when around other people. Due to his weight loss, he looks like a walking skeleton, and there is no employer out there that will hire him for any position as he has no stamina. He has really bad insomnia due to the multitude of medications he is on. His PCP has stated time and time again that he is never going to be going back to work, he is permanently disabled. What kind of recourse does he have? He wants to sue for a lump sum to cover him for the remainder of his life along with compensation for the undue stress he has been placed under by their representative.
Reply
Sent on August 12th 2015 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

G, prior to the filing of any lawsuit he will have to satisfy the administrative appeal process required by ERISA. Unfortunately, your partner will have no legal recourse for any extra-contractual damages (such as pain and suffering) and would only be legally entitled to unpaid past benefits. Our website is full of information on the importance of filing a full and complete appeal – as the appeal will essentially be the information to be argued in the event of a trial. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we can assist with the appeal process.

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Reliance Standard Reviews
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1.6 out of 5
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Showing 4 of 50 Reviews
Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard cut off LTD suddenly claiming I could do sedentary work after 10 plus years… no paperwork sent to appeal

Reviewed by Autumn on July 1st 2025   Verified Policyholder | January 2015 date of disability
I’ve been on STD then LTD with Reliance since 1/2015. They sent a medical review in December 2024 to my old address which of course I never got the paperwork for. I emai...
Reliance Standard

Short Term Disability Claim/Inconsistent to NO Communication

Reviewed by GaKRN on August 22nd 2024   Verified Policyholder | June 2024 date of disability
When I did call & reach a live person they were kind & helpful. The person assigned to my claim left one phone message & I have not spoken to her since. Information she re...
Reliance Standard

Staff Lie

Reviewed by Tanya on February 12th 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2021 date of disability
I had my disability cut off the day I was scheduled to find out whether I should have surgery. The claims examiner was aware that I had an appointment on that date and sai...
Reply
Sent on February 12th 2024 by Attorney Gregory Dell
I am sorry to hear about your experience. It’s crazy that Reliance Standard would deny your disability benefits when you are suffering so badly that you need surgery. Th...
Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard denied my LTD benefits because COVID-19 limited my ability to provide proof of continued disability.

Reviewed by Ken S. on February 11th 2021   Verified Policyholder
Hello, I have a LTD policy with Reliance Standard and it has been paid (considered disabled) for 14 plus years. However, due to limited doctors visits / records this past ...
Reply
Sent on February 11th 2021 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
Ken, it’s important to ensure that if your claim is denied your Appeal be exhaustive, comprehensive, and contain not only all of your relevant medical records, but that ...
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
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Showing 4 of 25 Answered Questions

Q: Are VA disability payments considered “other income” by Reliance Standard?

Answered on October 25th 2023 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
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Q: Denied short term disability and need to file for long term with same insurer

Answered on June 29th 2023 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
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Q: Will Reliance Standard reduce my LTD payments due to my pension benefits or rental income?

Answered on November 3rd 2022 by Attorney Alex Palamara
A: ARH, I am happy to hear of your LTD approval, though I am sorry to hear of your medical conditions. The LTD po...

Q: Why is Reliance Standard trying to recover payments I was awarded through another company?

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A: Dani, your disability plan may contain a provision which allows Reliance to claim and recover an overpayment o...
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Our client, Mr. S, formerly worked as a Store Manager for a large national retail chain. In August 2016 Mr. S suffered from multiple Transient Ischemic Attacks (“TIAs”) or mini-strokes which left him with debilitating physical and cognitive impairments. Mr. S made several attempts to return to work failed but continued to suffer slurred speech, headaches, pressure in the back of his head and memory loss, h...

Reliance Standard overturned LTD denial for Tennessee Technology Sales Consultant

Our client, Mr. L, formerly worked as a Sales Consultant for a global technology company. In September 2014 a number of medical issues following an ischemic stroke forced Mr. L to stop working and submit his claim for disability benefits under his employer's long-term disability (LTD) policy, which was funded and administered by Reliance Standard. Under his employer's disability policy he would be considered t...
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In Jody Rizzo v. First Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, plaintiff’s late husband, Angelo Rizzo, participated in a group life insurance policy provided as a benefit by his employer, Barnes & Noble, where he was employed as an assistant store manager. The policy was issued by Reliance Standard. On about November 12, 2012, Mr. Rizzo stopped working due to his multiple medical problems. He...

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In Tiedel v. Reliance Standard life Insurance Company (Reliance), Plaintiff Tiedel, a full-time flight engineer for Kalitta Air, was in the pilot seat of a single engine plane that crashed in January 1979. He suffered numerous fractures and required surgery. He developed Hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion he received following the accident.In December 2013, the Hepatitis C recurred and there was ...

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