California Court Reverses Sunlife Disability Denial for Woman with Fibromyalgia
In this video, disability insurance attorneys Rachel Alters and Gregory Dell discuss a California Federal Court decision in which a Sunlife disability insurance denial was reversed. Rachel Alters discusses the court’s frustration with Sunlife and finding that Sunlife abused their discretion by denying long term disability benefits after paying for multiple years.
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Sun Life Reviews
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Timely Payments
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Showing 8 of 661 Reviews
Sun Life
Unscrupulous Tactics
Sunlife uses unscrupulous tactics in order to prevent payment of claims. They wait until it is close to the 30 day mark and then they ask for another form of information o... read more >
Sun Life
What a mess
This place has no idea what day it even is. First they attach my claim to my previous claim in which was a new claim. They messed up and denied me then made me wait yet ag... read more >
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Sun Life
They leave you unable to fight
I received LTD from Sunlife since 2014 until 2021. I still tried fighting in 2022. Somewhere they changed my claim from physical to mental but nothing in my medical histor... read more >
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Sun Life
Sun Life is a real pain
Sun Life is a real pain. I just want them to buyout my long term disability policy, but they keep playing around and around. I just to be left alone and given my lump sum ... read more >
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Sun Life
Everytime SunLife receives my information they ask for another 7 to 10 business days
Told Sunlife I’m getting an attorney since my claim was filed April 16, 2021, still pending a decision and everytime they ask for more information and they receive it, t... read more >
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Sun Life
I have lost everything due to non payment of my claim.
I have lost everything due to non payment of my claim.
Sun Life
SunLife said if I don't apply for SSI they will lower my payments
Sun Life is trying to get me to apply for ssi. Have long term disability though them been on it for 9 months. Live in PA. Telling to apply or they are lowering my payments... read more >
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Sun Life
I don't understand SunLife's overpayment letter
My name is Gina and I have been collecting LTD from my previous employer through Sun Life for almost 2 years. I am currently easing back into the work force and I work a p... read more >
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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(29)
Showing 8 of 29 Answered Questions
Q: Can SunLife offset dependent social security benefits received on account of my wife's disability?
A: Dominick, unfortunately, employer provided disability policies contain language that allows for the offset of ... Read More >
Q: Does SunLife have a required time to make a decision? Can they request medical records that have nothing to do with my illness?
A: Megan, in an ERISA governed claim Sun Life would have 45 days to make a decision and have the option of taking... Read More >
Q: What happens if a policy doesn't mention something I believe I had and paid for (COLA)?
A: Rachael, if the policy does not mention a COLA then that usually means that the insurance company does not off... Read More >
Q: Can SunLife deny me on the basis on a preexisting condition?
A: Scott, the policy governing your claim will define what is a pre-existing condition. If you were having sympto... Read More >
Q: Can I sue SunLife if I signed a Settlement & Release Agreement?
A: RB, if you signed a Settlement & Release Agreement you are bound by those terms and would have waived your rig... Read More >
Q: Can I still get my short term disability benefits if I'm terminated?
A: C. Freeman, even if you are terminated you would still have legal rights under your policies. Your rights unde... Read More >
Q: Can I sue SunLife for pain and suffering?
A: Jim, under ERISA governed policies there are no actions for pain and suffering, only unpaid benefits. Read More >
Q: Should I be worried that SunLife is trying to deny my claim by making it seem like I have a mental disorder? Can they deny my claim if I refuse to undergo this needless psychiatric assessment?
A: Erin, in a situation like yours they are likely sending you to see a psychologist to determine if you are a â€... Read More >
Helpful Videos
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Showing 12 of 915 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(331)
Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips
Tips for Applying for Sun Life Disability Insurance Benefits
If you're covered by a long term disability policy offered by Canadian-based carrier Sun Life, you may never have expected to have to submit a claim for disability insurance benefits. At Dell & Schaefer, we've handled thousands of these claims and are familiar with the tactics Sun Life and other disability insurance carriers use to try to avoid paying disabi... Read More >
Can a Disability Claimant Refuse to Attend an IME During an Appeal?
The main issue in Stevens v. Sun Life and Health Insurance Company is whether a claimant’s refusal to attend an IME means the administrative remedies have not been exhausted so that a subsequent ERISA lawsuit must be dismissed. The controversy began when Sun Life terminated Stevens short-term disability about the same time that she filed a claim for long-term disability benefits. This claim was denied and sh... 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 >
Dell Disability Cases
(374)
Showing 8 of 374 Dell Disability Cases
Sun Life Wrongfully Denies Disability After Paying For 23 Months
We represent a 57 year-old claimant who’s occupation was selling commercial vehicles for many years. Her job was very physical as it required her to climb in and out of semi-trucks multiple times a day as well as operate them which was very strenuous. She went out of work in due to ongoing and severe debilitating right hip, low back, and bilateral knee pain... Read More >
Sun Life Overturns Its Previous Denial of LTD Benefits for Massachusetts Teacher
Our client, Ms. L, formerly worked as a Technology Teacher for a public high school in Massachusetts. For many years Ms. L suffered from chronic debilitating effects of multiple physical conditions and ailments, including most notably severe degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, which left her with debilitating physical pain and occupational impairments. Ms. L was unwilling to give up his career and w... Read More >
After Appeal Sun Life Finally Approves Disability Benefits for Data Engineer
Prior to filing for disability, our client was employed as a Manager of Data Engineering Analytics for Avanade. A job he loved and excelled at (and financially rewarding), our client was unfortunately forced to stop working in August 2017 due to significant heart issues. Fortunately, his employer provided him coverage under a Long Term Disability Insurance Policy with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada shoul... Read More >
Sun Life overturned previous denial of LTD for California Diagnostics Manager
Our client, Ms. G, formerly worked as a Diagnostics Manager for a regional Healthcare System. In October 2016 a number of medical issues, including Stage IV Ovarian Cancer Neoplastic Fatigue, Major Depressive Disorder, Language Disorder and Cognitive Impairment forced Ms. G to stop working and submit her claim for disability benefits under her employer’s long-term disability (LTD) policy, which was funded an... Read More >
Unum and Sun Life approve disability benefits to OB/GYN
Our client, a well-established and experienced, OB-GYN, who had run a successful medical practice before becoming part of a hospital system, began to experience orthopedic problems that are common to doctors whose practices requires a substantial amount of surgical and clinical procedures. Like many surgeons, she attempted to find ways to minimize discomfort in an effort to be able to continue her surgical dut... Read More >
After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Sun Life overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for Florida ICU Nurse
Our client, Ms. A, formerly worked as a Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. In September 2014 a number of medical issues, including chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, neuropathy, bilateral hip pain, bilateral hip bursitis and bilateral knee osteoarthritis forced Ms. A to stop working and submit her claim for disability benefits, first under her employer’s short-term disability (STD) policy and then c... Read More >
Sun Life Approves Disability Benefits to Surgical Services Director
Prior to filing for disability our client worked as a Surgical Services Director for a large hospital system. Her occupation came with an incredible amount of responsibilities relating to the efficient and safe operation of the surgical department of a hospital- requiring her to not only have to be mentally alert, but also physically available on a moment’s notice throughout the hospital. This was a tall ord... Read More >
Sun Life ignored its own medical expert's opinions supporting registered nurse's inability to work in a sedentary occupation due to severe rheumatoid arthritis
Sun Life reinstated LTD benefits after Dell Disability Lawyers appealed wrongful termination of LTD benefits of registered nurse suffering from rheumatoid arthritis demonstrating Sun Life ignored the overwhelming volume of objective evidence supporting the claim for total disability including their own peer review physician's opinions that the claimant could not perform sedentary work.At the time of the on... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
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Reviews from Our Clients
