A Pennsylvania lawyer has filed a MetLife lawsuit because the company failed to distribute disability insurance benefits to him.

The plaintiff, known to the public as John Doe, is a partner, managing partner and chairman of a Philadelphia law firm, where he took out a disability insurance policy through MetLife in 2008.

The Basis of the Disability Insurance Claim

In the spring of 2007, Doe took a prescribed antibiotic that caused neurological side effects, resulting in his hospitalization and/or outpatient treatments for the injuries and symptoms.

Despite worsening symptoms, he continued to work. Finally, in May 2015, his condition became so grave that he sought further evaluation and was told he had permanent neurological injuries that had disabled him.

His condition left him unable to work any longer as a litigator or as a manager of litigation, transactional deals and client advice for the law firm. He could no longer manage the firm’s business activities.

MetLife Lawsuit

Doe filed an application for disability benefits with MetLife in November 2015.

In December 2015, Doe and a MetLife field representative met for nearly two and one-half hours. Doe answered every question, and provided all documentation of his disability that was requested by MetLife.

MetLife’s policy stated that it was committed to paying the benefits due under the policy “after [it] receive[s] written proof of loss,…”

As of the date of the MetLife lawsuit filing, the plaintiff had received no benefits under the disability insurance policy.

The lawsuit states that the injuries to Doe’s brain are “totally disabling” for someone involved in his life’s choice of employment.

While the plaintiff has been completely cooperative in sharing medical records that prove he has been determined “totally” and “permanently” disabled according to MetLife’s policy definitions, MetLife has refused to honor the disability insurance claim.

Denied Disability Insurance Benefits

Even though Doe and other shareholders at the law firm has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in premiums, and all on time, MetLife continues to deny the claim.

MetLife determined that Doe was disabled, but questioned that the condition was permanent.

The MetLife lawsuit alleges that the company falsely represented that it would actually consider the plaintiff’s disability claim. MetLife disregarded the evidence of permanent disability, leading to allegations that the company planned to deny coverage  without any basis in fact or law.

Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages together with interest, legal costs and attorney’s fees.

Denied Insurance Claim

If you are paying for disability insurance benefits, you are entitled to those benefits if you become disabled.

Insurance companies are like other businesses in that they are in business to make money. However, they need to be held accountable to meet the obligations they have to those who pay premiums and follow the rules to collect legitimate benefits.

If you or someone you know has been disabled and denied a disability insurance claim, you could have a claim against the insurance company and could benefit from a class action lawsuit to recoup denied benefits with interest.

The MetLife Lawsuit is Doe v. MetLife, Inc., Case No. 2:16-cv-02265 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.