A Washington state resident has filed a bad faith insurance lawsuit against Unum Insurance alleging the company wrongfully terminated her long-term disability benefits (LTD).

Most people believe their LTD benefits cover injuries that are work-related only. However, it is estimated that more than 95 percent of LTD claims are non-work related.

If a person’s long-term disability benefits are terminated, they can either accept that decision or appeal for another review by the insurance company. However, the insurance company must explain to the reason for their termination of disability benefits. Yet countless Unum Insurance policyholders like plaintiff Linda M. have experienced the bad faith insurance practices that Unum allegedly uses to deny appeals or terminating benefits all together.

According to the Unum lawsuit, Linda was granted long-term disability benefits in December 2012 and Unum continued paying them until they were allegedly were wrongfully discontinued in November 2014. A specific reason for the termination was not stated in the Unum lawsuit.

Despite appealing to reinstate her long-term disability benefits, Unum determined its decision to terminate Linda’s long-term disability benefits was appropriate. Linda is seeking to have her long-term disability benefits reinstated, along with payment of benefits that have accrued, and attorney fees and costs.

Unum Bad Faith Insurance Tactics

Unum has allegedly systematically denied Unum disability insurance benefits to thousands of policyholders in the past two decades. Among the tactics allegedly used by Unum to unreasonably delay or deny insurance claims: arguing the policyholder had a pre-existing condition, even if that condition is not linked to the one being claimed; refusing to acknowledge certain disabilities; ignoring professional medical diagnosis or using biased experts; changing policies after a claim is filed; and claiming a person is not disabled and can work, despite a medical diagnosis from a professional.

Such tactics are considered bad faith insurance practices, and if an insurer has committed bad faith insurance, policyholders whose claims have been improperly or unreasonable denied or delayed may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the insurance company.

Unum Lawsuits

Unum has written disability insurance policies for millions of Americans, making it the largest disability insurance provider in the nation. Unum policyholders have filed insurance claim denial lawsuits against the insurance company for allegedly practicing bad faith insurance and denying their Unum long term disability insurance claims.

The Unum Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit is Case No. 3:15-cv-05323-DWC, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Tacoma.