How We Help To Appeal Your SunLife Disability Denial

Let’s discuss how you can win your SunLife Disability Appeal. SunLife disability denials are usually unreasonable; however, with preparation of a strong appeal package you can get your benefits paid. There is only one chance to submit a SunLife appeal and it must be drafted strategically in order to win your disability benefits. Our disability insurance lawyers have reviewed thousands of SunLife short and long term disability denials on behalf of claimants nationwide and we are available now to provide you with a free phone consultation with one of our attorneys. We have seen every type of SunLife disability denial and we know exactly what is required in order to give you the best chance to win your SunLife disability benefit appeal.

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Our Lawyers Respond Today

Why Is It Important to Prepare a Strong SunLife Appeal?

We want you to become educated about the SunLife appeal process and learn how our law firm can help give you the best chance to win your SunLife disability appeal. There is only one chance to submit a SunLife appeal and it must be drafted strategically. As you begin the process to get your SunLife disability denial reversed we encourage you to watch our video below:

  • Why is it important for you to submit a strong appeal package to SunLife?
  • What is your first step to appealing a SunLife denial?
  • What evidence did SunLife rely upon to deny your disability claim?
  • Why are custom attending physician statements essential?
  • Should you submit additional medical evidence for your SunLife appeal?
  • How does SunLife determine the duties of a job?
  • Why is an expert vocational review important to your SunLife disability appeal?
  • Why is it important to submit testimonies as part of your SunLife disability appeal?
  • How can we help submit supporting documentation for your SunLife disability appeal?

How Can You Win Your SunLife Disability Appeal?

With strategy, collaboration and execution you can get your SunLife disability claim approved. Every SunLife disability benefit denial is unique because everyone has different medical conditions that prevent them from working, the definition of disability is different in most SunLife disability policies, and lastly your prior work experience and education will have a big impact on the ability to perform any job. Our law firm’s history of winning disability appeals comes from working very closely and strategically with you, your treating doctors, and vocational consultants. We take a custom approach to how we handle every appeal and we look forward to discussing your SunLife disability denial with you. 

Most SunLife disability benefit denials are because SunLife has determined that you do not have sufficient medical limitations which prevent you from working in a specific occupation or any occupation. While SunLife may first notify you of a disability denial via telephone, the basis for SunLife’s denial is required to be included in their denial letter and the documents supporting the disability denial must be contained in the claim file. In your SunLife denial letter, SunLife gives you the right to request a complete copy of your claim file and that is the first step we take.

Why is SunLife Required To Send You All Information Used To Deny Your Disability Claim?

ERISA regulations require SunLife to prepare and send your claim file within 30 days of a written request. We draft a very specific request for the claim file so that SunLife cannot hide any documents or information that we think can help to win your appeal. The claim file is supposed to include all information relied upon to deny your disability benefits, which would include medical records, financial records, internal emails, memos and notes, your disability plan documents, video surveillance and any medical reviews and vocational reviews conducted by SunLife. 

The SunLife claim files provided are often intentionally disorganized and require legal experience in order to know what information in the claim file is relevant to preparing a strong Appeal. Your claim file may contain thousands of pages of evidence, and once we receive your file, we immediately organize and analyze all information so that we can prepare a plan of attack that puts You in the best position to have Your short term or long term disability benefits reinstated.


There is only one chance to submit a SunLife appeal and it must be drafted strategically.


Why Is It Important To Obtain, Review, & Assess All Of Your Claim Information?

The SunLife claim files are often intentionally disorganized and require legal experience in order to know what information in the claim file is relevant to preparing a strong Appeal. We always request the claim file for our clients and upon receipt we immediately organize and analyze all information so that we can prepare a plan of attack that puts our client in the best position to have their short term or long term disability benefits reinstated.

How Does A Plan of Attack Help You Win a SunLife Disability Appeal?

After our lawyers complete a full review of your SunLife claim file and review all of your up to date medical records, we formulate a plan of attack that we believe must be followed in preparation of your SunLife appeal. Every plan is focused on determining what additional medical documentation and support we can obtain to prove your disability. You only have 180 days from your date of benefit denial to submit an appeal so it’s important to act quickly in order to submit a timely appeal package. 180 days may seem like a lot of time, but you really want to have as much time as possible so that you can obtain as much additional medical and occupational support as possible. It’s not easy to get in quickly for doctor appointments and it takes time for doctors to complete documentation on your behalf.

We Help You Prove That SunLife’s Doctors Are Wrong

SunLife will commonly deny a long term disability claim and assert that you have insufficient medical documentation and/or support from your doctor. Regardless of what your doctors may have concluded, SunLife will commonly deny a long term disability claim on the basis that you have insufficient medical documentation and/or support from your doctor. 

SunLife usually relies on their own employed doctors or nurses to deny your disability claim. Regardless of what your doctors may have concluded, MetLife will almost always favor the opinions of their own doctors over yours.  The way to overcome this inherent bias is to present strong medical evidence in support of disability that no reasonable person could disagree with. 

As a practical matter, Doctors don’t like dealing with insurance companies, and while they want to help you they get frustrated. Your doctors document your medical records for the purposes of treating you and not for an insurance company review. As a result, most doctors do not document all of your limitations and complaints for purposes of a disability claim. Through our experience in helping thousands of disability claimants we educate your doctors about your disability insurance policy language and work with your doctors to document your medical conditions appropriately.


Obtaining strong written support from all of your treating doctors is usually the most challenging aspect of preparing a SunLife Disability Appeal.


Custom Attending Physician Statements Are Essential

Our job during the appeal process is to work with you and your treating doctors to obtain medical evidence that rebuts SunLife’s doctors (or hired doctors) written opinions. The attending physician statements created by SunLife and previously completed by your treating doctors are generic and intentionally designed by SunLife to offer limited support for your claim.

In every appeal we handle, we draft custom attending physician statements for completion by your doctors. Our physician statements are specific to your SunLife Long Term disability policy definition of disability and your specific medical condition(s). With every type of medical condition we know the exact information SunLife and their doctors are seeking as evidence of disability. If you have more than one condition that may impact your ability to work, and are treating with more than one physician we will reach out to all relevant treating doctors.

In addition to a custom physician statement we may suggest additional diagnostic testing or medical consultations with different medical specialists if we believe it will help bolster your claim. In some appeals, we will have you undergo a Functional Capacity Exam (FCE) or an Independent Medical Exam (IME). The results of an FCE are shared with your treating doctors as they can provide strong support for your functional limitations. We may also submit medical literature from leading medical publications which support your symptoms, limitations and potential risks associated with your condition.

SunLife Appeal Success Story

https://www.diattorney.com/sun-life-overturned-previous-denial-of-ltd-for-california-diagnostics-manager/

Our law firm was fortunate to be able to represent a Diagnostics Manager for a large healthcare company who was diagnosed with multiple conditions including Stage IV Ovarian Cancer, Depression, and a Cognitive Disorder. SunLife initially approved her claim but then based on a review by SunLife’s internal physician determined that our client was no longer disabled and denied both her long term disability claim and waiver of premium benefits under the life insurance policy. Once we obtained a copy of our client’s disability claim files, we prepared a strong appeal package pointing out the shortcomings of SunLife’s review process and the lack of consideration of all of her conditions. After filing the appeal, SunLife reversed the decision and approved benefits under both policies.

Why Must Your Appeal Contain Strong Occupational Evidence?

In most SunLife disability denials, SunLife will argue that if you can sit in a chair for 6 hours a day then you should be able to work. This is obviously a ridiculous conclusion , but you must submit occupational evidence that any job requires more than just an ability to sit. SunLife’s denial letters will usually misrepresent your job duties or list other jobs they think you can perform for 40 hours a week. Depending upon the applicable definition of “disability” at the time you become disabled, it is critical to review how SunLife has determined the duties of a job they say you can perform. 

The occupational evidence that must be presented in your appeal will depend upon whether your definition of “disability” is either the inability to perform your “Own occupation” or the inability to perform “Any Gainful Occupation”. Own Occupation and Any Gainful Occupation are defined terms in your SunLife disability policy. In most SunLife disability policies the definition of disability is Own Occupation for the first 24 months and then it switches to the more difficult definition of Any Gainful Occupation. Most SunLife disability denials happen either at the inception of a disability claim or when the definition of disability changes at the 24 month mark. 

How Does SunLife Determine The Duties of an Occupation?

SunLife will rely on their own vocational consultant to determine how either your job is performed in the national economy or how any other job is performed in the national economy. This means that SunLife ignores the way you actually performed your job for your employer and randomly determines how your job is performed nationally. SunLife will also come up with their own opinions about how any job is performed regardless of who the employer may be. 

To rebut SunLife’s unreasonable occupational assessments, we regularly work with vocational experts in order to clearly define the duties of a specific job and the physical requirements to perform a specific job for 40 hours a week. A vocational expert will prepare a detailed report which reviews the duties of all jobs suggested by SunLife, review your medical records, review your restrictions and limitations, and explain why you are unable to perform the job duties suggested by SunLife. If necessary, the vocational expert may also perform a labor market analysis discussing the availability and salaries of specific jobs. 

In many denial letters, SunLife will come up with jobs that are not available in your area and that make these job suggestions unreasonable. As additional occupational evidence we may also submit employer statements from your co-workers, your job description, a personal statement from you about a typical day at the job, industry reports, and samples of work products produced in your job. 

We provide a lot of detail in our Appeals to explain why you cannot perform the specific job duties of either your job or any job. Depending upon your definition of disability when you are denied, we also present evidence in our Appeals that can get you approved for benefits if your definition of disability will change at the 24 month mark. We don’t want you to win an Own Occupation appeal only to be denied again because you don’t qualify under the Any Occupation definition of disability.

Another SunLife Appeal Success Story

https://www.diattorney.com/sun-life-overturns-ltd-denial-massachusetts-teacher/

In another successful disability appeal we represented a Technology Teacher suffering from osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. After working with these conditions for years our client was forced to file for disability in 2019. Despite the medical evidence SunLife denied her claim, asserting that her occupation was not physically demanding enough to qualify for disability. As part of the disability appeal we pointed out that her occupation required significant standing and walking and that the claimant’s own physicians had clearly supported her inability to perform these demands. Sunlife’s medical review was not consistent with our client’s medical examinations or opinions. SunLife reversed the denial and approved her claim.

How Courts Review SunLife Disability Appeals

This paragraph may contain some technical legal information and we will try to make it as simple as possible. 95% of SunLife appeals are governed by a law called ERISA and you must understand ERISA laws in order to prepare and write a strategic appeal. There is only one chance to submit a SunLife appeal and it must be drafted in a manner so as to not tell SunLife everything they did wrong. Most people, including lawyers that don’t focus their legal practice on SunLife appeals, will submit appeals where they basically give SunLife a roadmap on how to review the appeal by telling SunLife everything they did wrong on the initial review. They will include lots of case law and a detailed criticism of everything SunLife did wrong. This is not the proper way to submit an appeal and really does nothing more than guide SunLife as to how to conduct a “reasonable review” of your initial claim denial.

What Does A Reasonable Review Mean Under ERISA For A SunLife Appeal?

The “reasonable review” language is key because if your appeal is denied by SunLife and an ERISA lawsuit is filed, a judge must review the denial and apply an unfair legal SunLife called “abuse of discretion”. The abuse of discretion SunLife requires a judge to first determine if you are disabled. If the Judge concludes you are disabled, then the Judge can only reverse the benefit denial if he or she thinks the review conducted by SunLife was unreasonable. So a Judge can find that you are disabled, but SunLife’s unfavorable review of your claim was reasonable. In this scenario your denial will be upheld as the Judge must defer to the reasonable review conducted by the insurance company.


No matter how big or scary SunLife may seem, we have recovered disability insurance benefits for our SunLife clients in more than 95% of the SunLife disability cases our law firm has accepted.


Why Drafting A Strategic SunLife Disability Appeal Is Crucial 

Because of the abuse of discretion SunLife that applies to any SunLife disability policy that contains a “discretionary clause”, we always draft a strategic appeal that focuses on your medical restrictions/limitations and how you are disabled in accordance with your disability policy’s definition of disability, rather than simply saying what SunLife did was wrong. By telling them what they did wrong, it actually helps SunLife create a record for litigation that could be perceived as more reasonable. There are a few states where the discretionary clause is illegal and the judge’s decision on the claim will be final regardless of the reasonableness of SunLife’s appeal review.

Regardless of the SunLife of review that will apply to your SunLife disability appeal denial, our lawyers have a very specific style of organizing, preparing and drafting SunLife disability appeals letters which have helped thousands of disability claimants nationwide to receive their disability insurance benefits.

Let’s Discuss Your SunLife Disability Denial

When we review your claim we will give you an immediate and honest opinion about your chances of recovering disability insurance benefits from SunLife. Don’t let SunLife or anyone else convince you to handle your Appeal without legal help as you are about to go to battle against a company that averages almost one billion dollars a year in profits. To help you learn as much as possible about SunLife and the ERISA Appeal process we encourage you to review all of the helpful information listed below. We welcome you to contact any of our disability insurance lawyers for an immediate free phone consultation.

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Disability Benefit Denial Options
Submit a Strong Sun Life Appeal Package

We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong Sun Life appeal.

Submit a Sun Life disability appeal

Sue Sun Life

We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against Sun Life.

Sue Sun Life

Protect Your Benefits
Get Your Sun Life Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.

Sun Life disability application

Prevent a Sun Life Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.

Prevent your disability denial

Negotiate a Sun Life Lump-Sum Settlement

Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.

Disability insurance buyout settlement

Sun Life Reviews
(42)

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1.5 out of 5
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Handling Claim
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Showing 8 of 42 Reviews
Sun Life

Unscrupulous Tactics

Reviewed by Misseekayy on December 19th 2023   Verified Policyholder | May 2023 date of disability
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

Reviewed by Unknown on September 12th 2023   Verified Policyholder | July 2020 date of disability
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 >
Reply
Sent on September 12th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

I am sorry to hear what you are experiencing. Make sure you deal with Sunlife writing and follow up every day. If you would like assistance please contact us.

Sun Life

They leave you unable to fight

Reviewed by Kara on May 1st 2023   Verified Policyholder | July 2014 date of disability
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 >
Reply
Sent on May 1st 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Kara:
Thank you for submitting a review about your experience with Sun Life. If you appealed your denial, then you may still have time to file a lawsuit to obtain... read more >

Sun Life

Sun Life is a real pain

Reviewed by Chris K. on May 20th 2022   Verified Policyholder
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 >
Reply
Sent on May 20th 2022 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Chris, you can contact me at Rachel@diattorney.com and we can set up a call to discuss your buy out options.

Sun Life

Everytime SunLife receives my information they ask for another 7 to 10 business days

Reviewed by Joe M on May 31st 2021   Verified Policyholder
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 >
Reply
Sent on May 31st 2021 by Attorney Jay Symonds

Joe, I assume this is a short term disability claim pursuant to a group policy issued to your employer. If so, the relevant federal claims regulations allow the carrier... read more >

Sun Life

I have lost everything due to non payment of my claim.

Reviewed by Lester H. on November 2nd 2020   Verified Policyholder
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

Reviewed by Jeffrey R. on July 26th 2020   Verified Policyholder
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 >
Reply
Sent on July 26th 2020 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Jeffrey, you are required under the policy to apply for Ssdi. If you don’t they will take an estimated offset and decrease you benefit by that amount.

Sun Life

I don't understand SunLife's overpayment letter

Reviewed by Gina L. on July 15th 2020   Verified Policyholder
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 >
Reply
Sent on July 15th 2020 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Gina: I suggest you contact our office and speak with one of the attorneys to discuss the specific questions you have. At that point you can send along the letter.

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?

Answered on May 8th 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
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?

Answered on February 19th 2019 by Attorney Gregory Dell
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)?

Answered on July 14th 2018 by Attorney Rachel Alters
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?

Answered on June 15th 2018 by Attorney Alex Palamara
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?

Answered on June 4th 2018 by Attorney Jay Symonds
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?

Answered on January 26th 2018 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
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?

Answered on January 12th 2018 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Jim, under ERISA governed policies there are no actions for pain and suffering, only unpaid benefits. Read More >
Helpful Videos
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Showing 12 of 908 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
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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
(375)
Showing 8 of 375 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
(765)
Showing 8 of 765 Lawsuit Stories

Can Sun Life deduct Veterans' Benefits from a monthly disability insurance benefit payment?

The case of Marco Martinez v. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life) provides guidance in determining whether Sun Life, can deduct Veterans' Benefits from its monthly disability insurance benefit payment to the Plaintiff. In this case, Plaintiff, who was covered under a disability insurance policy issued by his employer and governed by ERISA, began receivin... Read More >

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 yea... Read More >

Court Remands Sun Life to Consider Social Security's Decision to Award Plaintiff Disability Benefits

In Green v. Sun Life Assurance Co., the issue concerned whether or not the claimant was continuously disabled during the 180-day required elimination period in order to qualify for disability benefits. The plan administrator, Sun Life Assurance Co., was aware that the claimant had been awarded disability benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA), but failed to review the SSA file or the determinatio... Read More >

Sun Life's Video Surveillance Backfires & is Ordered to Pay Disability Benefits

In the case of Solnin v. Sun Life and Health Insurance Company, et al., the plaintiff, an assistant bank manager, injured her back at work and was initially granted short term disability benefits under her employee benefit plan. The case has an extensive procedural history of Sun Life terminating benefits, adminstrative appeals and at least one previous court case.In this action, in its attempt to discredi... Read More >

Court Rules That Sun Life Did Not Properly Review a Mental Nervous Disability Claim

In this video nationwide disability insurance attorney Stephen Jessup discusses a recent Sun Life long term disability claim in which the court finds that Sun Life failed to conduct a proper evaluation. The claimant that filed for long term disability benefits had a mental nervous disorder.... Read More >

Criminal-Act exclusion does not apply without sufficient causal nexus

We get many calls involving claims denied based upon exclusions for losses or disabilities resulting from certain excluded conditions. Common excluded losses are those resulting from pre-existing conditions, suicide or attempted suicide, acts of war, or criminal acts.In a recent case out of Kansas, a federal court was faced with determining whether there was a sufficient causal nexus to deny a claim based ... Read More >

Court Awards Attorney's Fees After Disability Insurance Claim is Remanded Back to Sun Life

When suing an insurance company to recover disability benefits in an ERISA case, the three most likely outcomes by the court are; (1) awarding past benefits, (2) sending the claim back to the insurance company for further review (remand), or (3) finding in favor of the insurance company. The first and second outcomes are a win for the Plaintiff after which the court has discretion to award attorney's fees and ... Read More >

Accountant Punished by SunLife for Working Part-Time During Tax Season

Most long-term disability policies require a claimant not only be unable to perform the material and substantial duties of his or her occupation due to sickness or injury, but they must also be earning less than 80% of their pre-disability income if they are working on a full-time or part-time basis while disabled. If a claimant has applied for disability benefits due to the inability to work in a full-time ca... Read More >

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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