Regional Director Wins Unum LTD Insurance Appeal for Cervical Disorders
Client was Regional Director for the State of Louisiana. She was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2020 she underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Unfortunately the surgery did very little to resolve her neck pain, radiculopathy and discomfort.
She was a Regional Director for a community college in Louisiana. Prior to leaving work her EMG/NCV confirmed radiculopathy and nerve involvement cause by bilateral carpal tunnel. She was approved by Unum initially and they paid through her post operative recovery period. However, soon after her recovery period, Unum contacted her orthopedic surgeon who stated to Unum that our client could return to work in a sedentary occupation. After receiving this statement from her doctor Unum terminated the claim.
We appealed the decision arguing that the medical records and the client’s limitations show that she is not able to return to work performing the substantial and material duties of her occupation as a regional director. It was important to address the purported statement by her orthopedic surgeon since it was the primary reason Unum had denied her. She returned to her orthopedic surgeon with a questionnaire that we prepared which addressed her ongoing limitation and seeking the doctors opinion, based on the records and the examination of the patient, on whether she could return to work in her occupation. Her surgeon confirmed that she was not able to return to work and that she was not currently at maximum medical improvement.
Our appeal was successful, but only in part, because within the same letter that they were overturning their decision, Unum stated it was only through a particular date and it was denying benefits thereafter. They state that the limited medical records support disability beyond that date. What Unum is not considering is that its failure to pay benefits as it should have caused the client to lose their health insurance and created a gap in her treatment. She is a veteran so she switched her care to the VA, which unfortunately is backlogged and is only now getting in to see doctors. We will appeal again and submit new records and likely pursue an FCE that would show objectively the extent of her functionality and limitations.
Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits
Disability Benefit Denial Options
Submit a Strong Unum Appeal Package
We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong Unum appeal.
Sue Unum
We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against Unum.
Protect Your Benefits
Get Your Unum Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.
Prevent a Unum Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.
Negotiate a Unum Lump-Sum Settlement
Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.
Unum Reviews
(661)
Policy Holder Rating
5
0%
4
0%
3
1%
2
53%
1
45%
Timely Payments
1.8out of 5
Handling Claim
2.1out of 5
Customer Service
2.0out of 5
Dependable
2.0out of 5
Value
1.9out of 5
Showing 8 of 661 Reviews
Unum
Unum is evil
On 11/3/2021 I got shot by my boyfriend and my spinalcord got hit, paralyzing me from the neck down and accepting Unum benefits was the worst decision I ever made. I sued ... read more >
Unum
Unum Closed My Case Today
Unum will keep you around, if they pay you 100 a month. But as soon as have to pay more than 2700 a month, they will drop you. We will be going to the attorneys office fir... read more >
Unum
Low payments
I was injured at work. I did house keeping in a hospital. I tore just about everything imaginable in my knee. I was let go from my job, because I was no longer able to do ... read more >
Unum
They closed my claim and I have been without income since they closed it
Went off work on 9/26/22 due to back issues. Applied for Short Term Disability. On Jan 2023 switched over to Long Term Disability and Unum had me to apply for Social Secur... read more >
Unum
I feel like Unum is giving me the runaround!
I have contacted UNUM multiple times since I’ve needed them. I feel like they are giving me the runaround! Please help!
Reply
Unum
Unum terminated my benefits with no warning
I was told I was covered with Unum through my employer (continuum). I got an email today for my termination, no prior talks of infractions with attendance, no warnings, no... read more >
Reply
Unum
I've been trying to care care of my Unum benefits for over a year. They’ve been so rude
I have been trying to take care of my Unum benefits for over a year. I’ve called and back in November I did appeal letter, they say they never received. I did everything... read more >
Reply
Unum
I've paid for STD for 20+ years. Now, I'm actually sick and can't get paid
My employer uses unum for short-term disability. I was hospitalized back on june 13 and discharged on june 25. I was admitted for double pneumonia and hypoxia, which I end... read more >
Reply
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(105)
Showing 8 of 105 Answered Questions
Q: What are my options?
A: It sounds like Unum is trying to assert a pre-existing condition limitation? To know better what your options ... Read More >
Q: Unum payments offset
A: You should only have an SSA offset for any period that overlaps with the UNUM payment. Please see the deductib... Read More >
Q: Should I sign a release of information form sent by Genex on behalf of Unum ?
A: You are only obligated to comply with request from UNUM and not third parties like Genex. If UNUM wants any in... Read More >
Q: 63 year old RN
A: Unfortunately Unum doesn't consider SSDI approval as proof that you are disabled. Yes, it is normal for Unum t... Read More >
Q: Is UNUM obligated to pay my children SSI amount with COLA increase to me after they turn 18 or the original award amount?
A: Once the SSDI benefits for your minor children stop then Unum should be responsible to continue paying you the... Read More >
Q: ER physician Unum mental health claim for 40 years
A: Physician, in all likelihood, there will never be a time that you will "no longer have to have on going care a... Read More >
Q: Requesting a Copy of my LTD ERISA Policy from UNUM
A: Whatever policy is in effect at the time of your disability is the one that applies. Read More >
Q: I am now concerned if I am not able to return to work after 6 months Unum will stop paying me.
A: Unum will review your medical records and likely focus on the progress of your surgery recovery. It is importa... Read More >
Helpful Videos
(910)
Showing 12 of 910 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(331)
Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips
Is UNUM a Good Insurance Company?
One common question the attorneys here at Dell Disability Lawyers receive comes from policyholders with UNUM long term disability policies. These claimants want to know, “Is UNUM a "good" insurance company?” But what is this question really asking? Learn more about what claimants may be able to expect when filing a&nbs... Read More >
How Long Does UNUM Long Term Disability Last?
When it comes to long term disability (LTD) insurance, every UNUM disability insurance policy is written a little differently. But while many disability insurance claimants may mainly be focused on the maximum benefit period - or the maximum amount of time the claimant can receive benefits under the policy, often age 65 - this benefit period may carry less... Read More >
Can You Sue UNUM?
If UNUM denies your long term disability insurance claim, can you sue? Generally, the answer is yes - but with some qualifications. Learn more about what a claimant may expect from the administrative procedures and appeal process they'll need to pursue after UNUM has denied their disability insurance claim.What to expect in a Group Policy... Read More >
How Does UNUM Define Disability?
UNUM Group - the Tennessee-based Fortune 500 insurance company that includes UNUM US, UNUM UK, and Colonial Life - defines disability in its own unique way. This means that the most commonly-accepted interpretations of "disabled" or "disability" may not quite gel with what UNUM considers disabled. What should long term disability insurance claimants know ab... Read More >
Beware of Traveling While on Disability with Unum
In the past several months our office has been hired by two separate clients who had individual disability policies purchased privately through insurance agents; that had received benefits for an extended period of time; and that were denied by Unum, in part, on the basis that their ability to travel was indicative of the ability to work. The first client, a doctor had coverage with Paul Revere Life Insurance ... Read More >
If I Sue Unum for a Disability Insurance Denial, What Should I Anticipate?
Disability insurance Attorneys Gregory Dell and Stephen Jessup discuss the numerous issues that a long term disability claimant should expect when filing an ERISA disability lawsuit against UNUM. This video provides some basic information about the lawsuit process. Our lawyers have helped thousands of claimants nationwide to obtain long term disability benefits.... Read More >
Unum Disability Benefit Denial Trends, A Legal Perspective
In this video we discuss the recent trends they have observed with regard to Unum Insurance Company's denial of long term disability benefits. We offer some tips that can either help you to avoid a claim denial or possibly improve your chances to stay on claim. Contact any of our disability insurance lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your disability cla... Read More >
A New Bait and Switch Tactic by Unum Disability Insurance Company
Unum reached a new low today which displays absolute disregard for the rights of a UNUM insured. Our law firm advised Unum in a January 16, 2016 letter that we would be sending a videographer to record the Orthopedic Compulsory (Independent!) Medical Examination requested by UNUM. On January 18, 2016 Unum sent us a letter stating that they scheduled a videographer and that UNUM would pay for the videographer. ... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(374)
Showing 8 of 374 Dell Disability Cases
Transportation Manager with Brain Injury Wins Unum Disability Benefit Appeal
Unum unjustly terminated our client’s disability insurance claim after it had approved and accepted liability for six months. Unum unreasonably concluded, without any evidence of improvement, that the claimant had resumed the sustained work capacity to perform the material and substantial duties of her high level occupation as a Transportation Division Manage... Read More >
Louisiana State College Director Wins Unum LTD Appeal But Then Denied Again
Client was Regional Director for the State of Louisiana. She was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2020 she underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Unfortunately the surgery did very little to resolve her neck pain, radiculopathy and discomfort.She was a Regional Di... Read More >
Unum Approves LTD Benefits for Pharmacist with Eye Disorder
Rachel Alters of Dell Disability Attorney’s currently represents an Ambulatory Operations Pharmacy Manager at the University of Missouri who recently suffered an acute retinal detachment leading to multiple corrective surgeries which unfortunately failed. She is an accomplished medical professional and health system executive with not only a doctor of pha... Read More >
Billing Manager With Back Disorder Wins Unum Long Term Disability Denial Appeal
Despite suffering with chronic knee and back pain for 7 Years, Unum still needed to be convinced that their disability benefit denial was wrong.Prior to filing her claim for LTD benefits, our client had worked for 13 years as a Billing Manager for an Accounting Firm in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, for some time she suffered from lower back issues that mad... Read More >
Unum Lifts Mental Health Limitation on Disability Claim
When our client first contacted our office and spoke with Attorney Stephen Jessup her claim for long term disability benefits had been approved by Unum under the 24 month mental health limitation contained in most Unum group disability policies. Despite our client’s attempts to prove to Unum that she was suffering from epileptic seizures, which were the true cause of her inability to work, Unum held fast to ... Read More >
Unum Approves Long Term Disability Application to a Program Manager
Our client, a high level Program Manager for a large international aeronautics company, was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in physical and emotional injuries, which impacted her ability to meet the demands of her job. Prior to hiring our office she filed her application for short term disability benefits under her employer’s disability insurance plan with Unum. From the onset of her short t... Read More >
After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, UNUM overturned previous denial of long term disability benefits for South Carolina Nurse
Our client, Ms. L, formerly worked as a Registered Nurse for a nursing home. In November 2014 a number of chronic physical conditions and pain forced Ms. L to stop working and submit her claim for disability benefits first under her employer’s short term disability (“STD”) Policy then continuing under her employer’s Long-Term Disability (“LTD”) Policy both benefits were administered and funded by C... Read More >
Unum Overturns Original Decision to Deny Benefits to Disabled Account Manager Following Appeal Submitted by Dell Disability Lawyers Appeals Team
In 2016, Sarah, an Account Manager, began suffering severe abdominal pain accompanied by bloody diarrhea. The frequency and condition was so severe that she was diagnosed with anemia from the blood loss and profound fatigue from the nutrient loss. By the end of 2016 Sarah was no longer capable of effectively performing the material and substantial duties of her own occupation as an account manager and was forc... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(765)
Reviews from Our Clients
