Fla. Woman Sues Unum for Disability Insurance Benefits

Fla. Woman Sues Unum for Disability Insurance Benefits

By John Curran

A Florida woman with several spinal conditions and pain disorders has filed an Unum disability insurance lawsuit seeking back benefits from an employer policy that she alleges was improperly administered.

Cynthia McDougal claims that she was unable to work after July 13, 2010, because of spinal stenosis, herniated discs and fibromyalgia. She was also under treatment for depression as a result of the painful medical conditions. She originally had no problems with her Unum disability claim and was approved monthly payments beginning in 2010. However, benefits stopped three years later on Jan. 10, 2013.

Her disability insurance lawsuit alleges there has been no change in McDougal’s condition regarding her back injuries and herniated discs. Specifically, the Unum lawsuit alleges that McDougal “continues to be disabled from not only her occupation but any occupation.” As a result of that assessment, she should be able to keep receiving monthly benefits because Unum determines that a beneficiary is disabled if he or she is “limited from performing the material and substantial duties of [one’s] occupation due to… sickness or injury.”

The initial assessment is reviewed after 24 months according to the terms of the policy, and it is McDougal’s contention that she has adequately addressed this concern. Similar to other plaintiffs seeking back benefits, the Florida resident says that the company’s claim denial specialists have not adequately reviewed her claim based on the medical evidence submitted.

The Unum disability insurance lawsuit is Cynthia McDougal v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, Case No. 13-cv-02684, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. She is seeking back benefits with interest as well as the re-instatement of monthly payments due to her medical conditions.

If you or someone you know have faced problems trying to get long-term disability payments that you feel your condition merits, get educated. Visit the Unum/UnumProvident Disability Insurance Claim Denial Class Action Lawsuit Investigation to learn more about your legal options. You can also obtain a free consultation with a disability insurance lawsuit lawyer by filling out the short form there. The appeals process differs from that of other civil concerns, so it is critical to contact a lawyer with experience handling these types of cases.