A Washington man filed a lawsuit against Unum Life Insurance Company for allegedly wrongfully denying him full disability benefits.

Plaintiff Timothy R. claims that despite following all administrative procedures, the company still denied him adequate disability benefit allowances, allegedly using bad faith insurance calculation methods.

Timothy was a self-employed dentist who stopped working on Sept. 1, 2010. He had signed up for a Unum that would have provided short-term and long-term disability benefits. For years, Timothy had made all payments to the defendant on time, and should have been eligible for disability, the Unum lawsuit alleges.

Overview of the Unum Lawsuit

When he was diagnosed with crippling disorder that made it impossible for him to work, the policy allegedly didn’t pay out as expected. His condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis, is an inflammatory arthritis condition that affects the spine and large joints.

Additionally, the dentist noted residual side effects that came with this condition, which severely compromised the spine and neck.

In 2006, Timothy had to undergo a bone marrow biopsy but complications occurred during the procedure. Due to the combined complications from his underlying medical conditions, Timothy was unable to return to work full time, according to the Unum lawsuit.

During this time, Timothy applied for disability benefits and was initially approved, and had been receiving scheduled payments. He was approved for these benefits after submitting medical testimony, and proving that he was suffering a significant loss in income.

Ultimately, Timothy had to cease working due to his worsening health. His doctors stated that there is no known cure, and that it may get worse over time.

This led to Timothy applying for permanent disability benefits from Unum. His claim was rejected.

To confirm that he was eligible for permanent disability benefits, the plaintiff underwent an independent medical exam in January 2012 at the request of the defendant, the disability insurance lawsuit says. Several months later, Unum  approved the plaintiff’s claim for long-term disability benefits.

However, Timothy alleges the monthly benefits were grossly miscalculated. After filing for a higher benefit allowing in September 2013, Unum rejected the plaintiff with a letter in early January 2014.

The plaintiff submitted a forensic claim analysis report to explain why he needed a higher benefit allowance.

Despite requests of increasing the monthly benefit allowance to keep up with medical expenses, Unum would not comply. Timothy is allegedly owed over $279,000.

This Unum Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-00812-JLR, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.