HR Exec Seeks Reinstatement of Long-Term Disability Benefits From Cigna
By John Curran
According to a disability insurance lawsuit, a Pennsylvania woman who initially qualified for monthly payments from Cigna because of various ailments that left her unable to work unexpectedly stopped receiving her disability payments.
In 2010, Shari Maun, who used to work at Accenture, began facing dizzy spells and other episodes that were thought to be Lyme disease, a condition that can affect concentration and lead to long periods of excessive fatigue. However, doctors soon found instances of problems in her lung and claim denial specialists at Cigna reportedly had evidence of lupus during her application for monthly benefits under the company long-term disability plan in January 2011.
A Cigna claim specialist defined the former human relations executive’s duties as requiring “long hours” of work and “considerable travel.” Both that person’s manager and a nurse initially approved the Maun’s benefits due to the “severity of (her) condition.” However, Cigna still placed her under surveillance, and a claim denial specialist argued that her long-term disability benefits should stop because of activities that allegedly suggest she is able to work.
In fact, in 2012, the company informed Maun that her benefits would be terminated because she was active in caring for her children. However, there were no medical evaluations that supported the termination, according to the complaint. This decision to terminate her benefits allegedly goes against precedent, including a Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision that a “reversal of… a decision to award a claimant benefits without proof of material medical improvement constitutes compelling evidence of the abuse of discretion and arbitrary and capricious conduct.”
Maun’s disability insurance lawsuit attorney also attempted to outline a history of Cigna claim specialists wrongfully terminating monthly benefits over the last several years. Maun is seeking back benefits because her original award of payments through the long-term disability plan was based on her inability to work and was unrelated to her ability to care for children.
The Disability Insurance Lawsuit is Shari Maun v. Life Insurance Company of North America, et al., Case No. 13-cv-05545, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Men and women who have been denied disability insurance benefits or had decisions reversed may have a legal remedy available to them. Get started with a disability insurance lawsuit attorney today. A free consultation with one is available at the Unum/UnumProvident Disability Insurance Claim Denial Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.
All employment related class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Employment and Labor section of Top Class Actions
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
2 thoughts onHR Exec Seeks Reinstatement of Long-Term Disability Benefits From Cigna
Pay your employees the Long Term Disability they deserve.
Tammy Crocker
Riverdale, GA
Insurance Company Denies Long Term Disability to Employee with Fatal Disease. To be delivered to David Cordoni, President and CEO, Cigna Corporation, Marillyn A. Hewson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Georgia State House, The Georgia State Senate, Governor Nathan Deal, The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama Money was deducted from dying employee’s check every week for this for almost 13 years. Cigna’s “opinion” is she is fully capable of returning to her original duties; and unlike their most recent commercial, they definitely don’t have your back! PETITION BACKGROUND: I was diagnosed with a fatal and incurable disease in 2006. I pushed myself until October 2013. I had to fight to get all of my Short Term Disability. I have been banned from driving, I have crippling arthritis, I am connected to Phillips Lifeline because I have trouble walking and much more. Since then, it looks like my liver and kidneys may be going into failure. My seizures have become much worse so my medication has had to be greatly increased ~of course that means no driving yet again! I am due LTD pay back to April 29, 2014 and I have exhausted all financial outlets. If my employer and the organization I am contracted to can spend millions to fight Ebola ~ it’s time for CIGNA to STEP UP TO THE PLATE and pay me the 60% of my measly salary until my Social Security Disability is approved! HOW CAN PRESIDENT OBAMA APPOINT SOMEONE WITH NO HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE AS THE EBOLA “CZAR” SIMPLY BECAUSE THIS MAN MADE A LARGE CONTRIBUTION TO OBAMA’S CAMPAIGN? MAYBE IF I LINED OBAMA’S POCKETS WITH ENOUGH MONEY,I WOULD GET THE LONG TERM DISABILITY THAT I HAVE PAID FOR ALL THESE YEARS………………..
Just in case you didn’t receive this petition, I just spent 6 days in the hospital (one of many visits during the years), but Cigna insurance continues to believe that there is no reason why I shouldn’t be working every day. I desperately need as much exposure as possible. Next week, I face possible eviction, I may have my car repossessed, I am going to lose my health insurance which means I cannot go to the many doctors I see or get any of the many medications I take to help extend my life for as long as possible. I do not know what else to do at this point ~ guess I need to get myself a shopping cart and a tin can…….
Added Comment: My story has been sent to all of the News stations in Atlanta, so don’t me surprised if you see Cigna plastered on the news for the wrongful way I have been treated by your company!!!
i have been denied since 2002