ER Doctor Denied Unum Disability Claim Fights Back

Unfortunately for Dr. Morris, the origin and cause of her disease still isn’t known. The CDC recognizes Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome as a potentially infectious disease and it has a top research priority. There have been a number of research studies focused on the disease, and it’s accepted that “treatment” is more symptomatic than anything else. The only way to live with the disease is with (sometimes extreme) lifestyle changes. Dr. Morris’ exhaustion, cognitive issues, and headaches meant she could no longer work as an ER doctor. The exposure to germs and stress only made her disease worse.

The Unum Denial

Dr. Morris has two policies with Unum, one through her employer and one individually. Her disability insurance claim was denied, but even months later Unum still deducts monthly premiums from her account. She claims Unum sent her surveillance tapes spanning three weeks while they had private investigators watching her. The Unum doctors, who double as Unum executives, concluded that Dr. Morris wasn’t disabled since she was able to drive — that was the deciding factor.

She’s had numerous doctors write supporting letters to Unum, stating over and over again that her disease is debilitating, but those letters are ignored. Since beginning this Unum nightmare, she’s discovered that Unum’s lack of documentation is meant to work in their favor. When her case goes to court, it’s best that there’s no written proof of the reasons for denial.

Unum’s History of Denials

While preparing her case, Dr. Morris unearthed the seedy underbelly of Unum’s claim denial history. In 1996, $18 million was paid to Unum employees as “bonuses” for denying claims or stopping them. She also saw similarities between herself and John Dishman, who was a law executive with a Unum denial. He was also stonewalled, but given his legal background, he refused to settle and sign a gag order, making himself one of the first Unum victims to go to court.

Of course, this entire ordeal is causing Dr. Morris more stress than a round in the ER. Since little is known about her disease, it’s unclear what the long-term side effects will be. She’s accepted that her disability insurance might exacerbate her disease.

Was Your Unum Claim Denied?

Did you have Unum, and was your claim wrongly denied or were payments suddenly stopped? If it happened to you, you might have a Unum legal claim. A disability insurance lawsuit may help you get fast, fair compensation.

Learn more about your options at the Unum/UnumProvident Disability Insurance Claim Denial Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. While there, submit your information for a free legal review of your case to see if you have a lawsuit.