Reliance Standard Reinstates Benefits for Former Employee of Parent Company, Delphi Financial, Following Successful Appeal

Our client, Ms. L, formerly worked as a National Account Manager for Delphi Financial Group, the parent company of Reliance Standard Insurance Company. In 2015, a number of medical issues, namely, chronic daily pain, sleep difficulties, fatigue and cognitive and memory impairments forced Ms. L to stop working and submit her claim for long-term disability benefits. In addition to these symptoms her doctors suspected, but later dismissed, lymphoma, on account of abnormal lymph node swelling. After consulting several rheumatologists, Ms. L was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder described to result in widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Ms. L’s symptoms became evident in 2015 when her supervisor recommended she take some time off work to take care of herself. It was noted that she was having difficulty managing her pain and was having problems managing her work flow. She was unable to effectively perform the material duties of her occupation, which included, but was not limited to, recommending compensatory strategies, reviewing and negotiating financials, performing new or customer/production implementations, and presenting as well as successfully delivering renewals to customers.

She feared the thought of having to file a disability a claim and leave her rewarding and successful career, however, she knew it was a realistic possibility. Her supervisors were aware of the situation, and despite their current expressions of compassion and understanding, it was only a matter of time before compassion and understanding turned to questions and disappointment concerning her inability to effectively perform her job duties.

Ms. L filed her disability claim, which Reliance Standard approved and paid. After one month, she reported feeling rested and ready to return to work. Unfortunately, her return to work was short-lived. Soon after returning to work Ms. L began experiencing worsening cognitive symptoms triggered by increased stress and she once again was forced to discontinue.

Ms. L notified Reliance Standard of her failed attempt to return to work and that her symptoms had returned. Reliance Standard agreed and reinstated her long-term disability benefits.

Internal Review by a Nurse Consultant Leads to Reliance Standard Terminating the Long-term Disability Claim

To start 2016 Reliance Standard began with conducting a medical review by an internal nurse-consultant. Despite confirming Ms. L’s diagnoses, Reliance Standard’s nurse consultant noted that Ms. L had recently reported improvement in her cognitive function and general symptoms since beginning hormonal therapy. Based on these vague and insignificant statements, the nurse consultant reasoned that Ms. L had made a “full recovery” and was able to return to work. Soon after the nurse consultant documented her findings and Reliance Standard terminated Ms. L’s benefits and communicated its denial in a lengthy letter.

Shortly after receiving her termination letter, a nervous and fearful Ms. L, called Dell Disability Lawyers and discussed her case with Attorney Cesar Gavidia. Attorney Gavidia saw the gaping holes in Reliance Standard’s denial letter and in the nurse consultant’s medical review, and agreed to prepare and submit Ms. L’s ERISA appeal with the assistance of his appeal team.

The appeal addressed all of Reliance Standard’s short-comings and reasons for denial, with a special focus on the review conducted by the nurse consultant. One of the focal issues was Reliance Standard’s determination that Ms. L had a less than sedentary level of function just one month prior to the nurse consultant’s review of the case.

Approximately sixty days later, and after reviewing the appeal and hundreds of pages of exhibits and medical records, Reliance Standard overturned its decision to terminate the claim and reinstated Ms. L’s long-term disability benefits.


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Reliance Standard Reviews
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Showing 8 of 48 Reviews
Reliance Standard

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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... read more >
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.... read more >

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 ... read more >
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 th... read more >

Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard cut off my LTD benefits claiming I'm fit enough to work even though I'm more sick than before.

Reviewed by Jeff S. on July 7th 2020   Verified Policyholder
It should be criminal that this company treats sick people like this who just want PTO be left alone! I received a call from Reliance on 7/6/20 cutting me off after 1 year... read more >
Reply
Sent on July 7th 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Jeff, in my opinion Reliance Standard is one of the more difficult insurance companies to deal with. What you are experiencing they do day in, day out. You can certainl... read more >

Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard notified me that my benefits were being stopped with no warning or reason.

Reviewed by Deborah S. on June 5th 2020   Verified Policyholder
Horrible company! Phoned me on June 4th to let me know that I would no longer be receiving benefits as of June 3rd. Just like that! No questions asked and no info given!
Reply
Sent on June 5th 2020 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Deborah, I am sorry to hear of the denial of your claim and how you were provided no notice of an immediate end of your income. Please contact us at once for a free con... read more >

Reliance Standard

I was receiving LTD from Reliance Standard due to breast cancer until they suddenly denied me my benefits.

Reviewed by Mary Anne B. on March 3rd 2020   Verified Policyholder
I was diagnosed stage 2 breast cancer June 2015 and went out on std with Reliance. Within 4 months following my status changed to stage 4 with Mets to my spine. STD conver... read more >
Reply
Sent on March 3rd 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Mary Anne, your recourse would be to go through the administrative appeal process and if that is denied to file lawsuit. Please contact our office to discuss the denial... read more >

Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard never answers or returns my calls, has not provided me my benefits, and falsely claims I never provided necessary paperwork.

Reviewed by Chrystall on July 5th 2017   Verified Policyholder
I have been on STDI since April 28th, 2017 and I have only received what they say is a “courtesy payment” because they know the hardship which I am facing. I call mult... read more >
Reply
Sent on July 5th 2017 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Chrystall, please feel free to contact our office to discuss your claim. Needless to say, the carrier is well beyond the typical timeframe to render a decision on a STD... read more >

Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard is unreasonably prolonging the transition from STD to LTD for my boyfriend.

Reviewed by Wendy on April 4th 2017   Verified Policyholder
In August 2016 my boyfriend was placed on disability by his family physician. A short background, he is a type I Diabetic since age 4 and had to have multiple lumbar back ... read more >
Reply
Sent on April 4th 2017 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Wendy, please contact our office to discuss the claim further. Decisions on long term disability claim applications should only take about 45-60 days. If the claim is d... read more >

Reliance Standard

The appeals process with Reliance Standard is very frustrating. I'm not sure how to get an answer from them.

Reviewed by Rachel on October 23rd 2016   Verified Policyholder
I started with Reliance Standard when i had surgery 4/13, complications in surgery caused my recover last longer and brought my Lupus out of remission. I stayed on STD wit... read more >
Reply
Sent on October 23rd 2016 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Rachel, if your claim was denied and your appeal already submitted there may be little that can be done until such time that RSL renders a decision on your appeal, whic... read more >

Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
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Showing 8 of 25 Answered Questions

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

Answered on October 25th 2023 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
A: The disability policy may allow Reliance Standard to deduct and offset your monthly benefit payment by your VA... Read More >

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

Answered on August 6th 2020 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
A: Dani, your disability plan may contain a provision which allows Reliance to claim and recover an overpayment o... Read More >

Q: Do I have to provide additional proof of my disability that's specifically requested by Reliance Standard?

Answered on July 11th 2020 by Attorney Alex Palamara
A: Fred, I am sorry to hear all that you have been through medically and in dealing with Reliance Standard. Unfor... Read More >

Q: How do I access a copy of my STD policy with Reliance Standard?

Answered on March 26th 2019 by Attorney Alex Palamara
A: Vicki, I am sorry to hear the trouble you are having with the Standard. It seems they are certainly make thing... Read More >

Q: If I'm not receiving the SSDI benefits for my children from Reliance Standard due to custody, should my SSDI benefits increase?

Answered on July 11th 2018 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
A: Bill, it depends on terms and conditions relating to “other income benefits” and “offset” under your f... Read More >

Q: How can Reliance Standard not coordinate with both of my disability insurance policies?

Answered on December 13th 2017 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Jerry, you will need to review your RSL policy to determine what it deems to be a source of “Other Income”... Read More >
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