Sue Sun Life

You probably feel as if the Appeal review conducted by SunLife was a sham and you never had a chance to have your SunLife disability benefit denial reversed. Your feeling of being called a liar by SunLife and questioning if it is even worth filing a SunLife disability lawsuit is exactly SunLife’s plan. The sad truth is that the law governing long term disability insurance claims favors disability insurance companies and therefore a high percentage of SunLife disability appeal denials are upheld. SunLife hopes that you will just go away and that they can strong arm you to return to work out of financial necessity. The good news is that with a strong legal strategy your SunLife disability benefit lawsuit can result in a recovery of your disability benefits.

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Our Lawyers Respond Today

What Should You Expect In A Sun Life Disability Lawsuit?

Through our experience of having helped thousands of SunLife disability insurance claimants nationwide, we would like the opportunity to help you win your SunLife disability benefit lawsuit. In order to help you understand what to expect in a SunLife disability lawsuit, Attorneys Gregory Dell and Alex Palamara have prepared the SunLife disability lawsuit video below. We encourage you to contact any of our disability insurance lawyers for a free immediate review of your SunLife disability claim denial.

When Can A Sun Life Disability Lawsuit Be Filed?

The answer to this question depends on whether you have a claim that is governed by The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, also known as (ERISA). If you have a SunLife disability claim that was provided to you as an employee benefit, then your claim is almost always governed by ERISA. An ERISA disability lawsuit cannot be filed against SunLife until you have received a denial of the appeal you submitted to SunLife. 

An ERISA lawsuit usually must be filed within either 3 years of your date of disability or the date of the final disability denial decision. If SunLife fails to make a timely decision on your appeal, you can file suit without having to wait for SunLife’s appeal decision. The law governing time periods to file lawsuits is known as the Statute of Limitations and it is an area of law that is regularly changing and not consistent from state to state. In a Non-ERISA disability benefit claim denial an appeal is usually not required by SunLife and most lawsuits can be filed 90 days after proof of loss is due but no later than 3 years after the date of denial. The period of time in which a lawsuit must be filed can be a complicated analysis determined by a combination of the policy language and the law of the state in which the person was denied. The best thing to do in many cases to avoid a statutory problem is to file a lawsuit as soon as reasonably possible.


“Our Clients Have Recovered Lincoln Disability Benefits in 99% of our SunLife Disability Lawsuitsâ€


As much as we love to beat up SunLife for their wrongful disability claim denials, we know how to set our egos aside. Our goal for every client is to try to resolve their SunLife claim in the most expedient and efficient manner possible. Upon review of your disability denial letter from SunLife we can immediately let you know if you have a claim that we think we can help you with. We look forward to speaking with you to discuss your options against SunLife.

What Are the Most Challenging Issues in a Sun Life Disability Lawsuit?

The most challenging aspect of any disability lawsuit is the fact that your Sun Life disability benefit denial is likely governed by ERISA, a pro-insurance company federal law that governs almost all employer-provided disability policies. ERISA was designed so that insurance companies could offer affordable benefits to employees and in return have limited lawsuit expenses if a disability claim is denied. If your disability policy was not provided by your employer, then you will not have to worry about the ERISA lawsuit limitations. In our video below, disability attorneys Stephen Jessup and Gregory Dell discuss the reasons why ERISA makes disability lawsuits against a company like SunLife challenging.

Five Reasons ERISA Disability Laws Favor Sun Life 

  1. No jury trials are permitted;
  2. No punitive damages;
  3. Very limited discovery;
  4. The Judge usually must apply a standard of review that defers to the insurance company’s conclusion that you are not disabled;
  5. The Judge can remand the case back to SunLife for any additional chance to review the claim and deny it again;

How Much Does Our Firm Charge to Handle a Sun Life Disability Lawsuit?

The proper preparation of a lawsuit against SunLife takes a lot of legal time and our law firm is selective in the type and quantity of cases we accept. Providing the highest level of legal work and personal attention to your claim is a fundamental mode of operation for every lawyer in our firm. We are not high volume social security lawyers that are trying to handle disability insurance claims against SunLife.

We have been handling claims against SunLife for over 30 years. We only handle SunLife disability lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means that we charge you a percentage of the disability benefits that we recover on your behalf. If we are not successful at recovering any disability benefits for you, then you do not owe us any attorney fees or cost for the work that we have done on your behalf. 

More than 90% of the disability lawsuits that we have handled against SunLife have resolved in a one-time lump sum settlement. We encourage you to review some of our SunLife resolved case summaries to learn more about our experience. Most of our SunLife disability lawsuit settlements have confidentiality provisions which limit our ability to discuss specific details about the cases.

Collecting Sun Life Disability Benefits Is A Reality

Through our 30+ years of experience suing SunLife and our daily work on behalf of SunLife disability claimants nationwide, we have seen and we are constantly aware of every claims handling technique used by SunLife. We are one of the few law firms in the entire country that has the experience of going through a jury trial and receiving a favorable verdict against SunLife. As a result of our years of battling SunLife we have established a strong reputation and a unique litigation technique that allows us to cut through the traditional 18 to 24 month delay in resolving a SunLife disability lawsuit.

We encourage you to contact any of our disability insurance lawyers to discuss some strategies for a possible resolution of your SunLife disability denial. It is incredible and sad how many people we see give up the fight following a claim denial as they don’t want to deal with SunLife. Our lawyers make the lawsuit process as simple as possible for claimants by requiring almost no time or effort by the claimant to pursue a SunLife lawsuit. Any of our disability lawyers are available for an immediate free phone consultation to discuss your SunLife claim denial.

What are the Top 10 Reasons for Sun Life Disability Denials?

  1. SunLife denied the claim based on objective medical evidence
  2. SunLife’s in-house doctor denied the disability claim
  3. With no exam a third party medical company denied a SunLife claim
  4. With functional limitations SunLife denied a disability claim because claimant has the ability to perform sedentary occupation
  5. After a compulsory medical exam a doctor hired by SunLife denied the disability claim
  6. SunLife denied the claim based on a vocational consultant evaluation of employability in another occupation
  7. SunLife ignored claimant’s treating doctor’s opinion of limited work restrictions and denied claim
  8. Based on video surveillance SunLife denied disability claim
  9. My definition of disability changed from own occupation to any occupation and SunLife denied my disability claim
  10. SunLife based your denial on a mental disability and not a physical disability and therefore limited your benefits to 24 months

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.

Learn more

Sue Sun Life

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

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

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

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Negotiate a Sun Life Lump-Sum Settlement

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

Learn more

Sun Life Reviews
(42)

Policy Holder Rating

1.5 out of 5
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Timely Payments
1.8out of 5
Handling Claim
1.9out of 5
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1.9out of 5
Dependable
1.8out of 5
Value
1.9out of 5
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 888 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... 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... Read More >

Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?

When it comes to securing your long term disability benefits, it's vitally important that you... 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 concern... Read More >

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

When you're seeking disability benefits under a long term disability policy, your medical rec... Read More >

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

One thing many long term disability claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims re... 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... 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 th... 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 ma... 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 chron... 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... 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, incl... 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, b... 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... 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 incr... 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 fro... 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 whethe... 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 Califo... 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 elim... 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... 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 ... 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 ... 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... 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 occupati... Read More >

Reviews from Our Clients

Request a Free Consultation

Our Lawyers Respond Same Day

5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid

Get Your Disability Application Approved

Our goal is to get your application for disability income benefits approved. Applying for disability 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 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 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 lawyers 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 lawyers 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 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 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 lawyers 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.

In more than 98% of our cases, our lawyers have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement. Our 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 welcome you to contact any of our attorneys 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 700 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

Our lawyers 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 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, GoToMeeting sessions, or Skype. 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 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.