Plaintiff Joseph H. has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Unum Life Insurance Company for unfairly denying his long-term disability insurance claim.

According to the Unum lawsuit, Joseph worked as Assistant Director of Safety and Security at Manhattanville College in 2000. He alleges that he worked “tirelessly to advance” his career in that field.

However, the Unum lawsuit maintains that in the summer of 2000, his career was cut short. The Unum lawsuit states that he suffered from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and underwent aortic valve replacement, which “triggered the onset of atrial tachycardia.”

The Unum lawsuit further maintains that this condition led him to constantly battle inter alia, along with “unrelenting and overwhelming, debilitating pain and exhaustion.”

He filed his disability claim, according to the Unum lawsuit, in December 2010. He began to receive his long-term disability benefits between May 2011 and April 2016. However, the Unum lawsuit states that Unum “arbitrarily and capriciously” decided to end his long-term disability benefits.

The Unum lawsuit confirms that Joseph was seen by his cardiologists, who indicated that he was unable to work due to “atrial tachycardia, with symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, fatigue and dyspnea.”

In an Attending Physician Statement dictated by his cardiologist, it indicated that Joseph cannot climb, stoop, bend, twist, or reach above shoulder more than just a couple times. He would not be able to operate any heavy machinery.

Joseph’s job, moreover, as stated in the Unum lawsuit, states that it comprises of him working as an EMT, or emergency medical technician, when needed. It also requires him to supervise as many as 30 employees through 110 acres of campus land; oversee crowd control; patrol campus; carry a weapon or firearm; train EMT’s; manage transportation ad vehicles; and keep individuals in order, by running or driving, or performing other similar activities.

Unum initially approved his receiving long-term disability benefits in May 2011. In June 2012, Unum requested additional and updated information regarding Joseph’s medical condition.

However, in April 2016, Unum determined that they were terminating his long-term disability benefits under the plan. The Unum lawsuit states that Unum thought that he “was able to perform duties of his regular occupation” and determined he was not disabled according to the policy’s definition of disability.

Allegations Against Unum Life Insurance Company

It is estimated that approximately 40% of disability insurance policies are handled by Unum Life. They purportedly provide disability insurance to approximately 17 million Americans.

However, Unum employees have reported that Unum systematically denies life insurance claims in policies held by thousands of Americans.

In a 2002 interview with 60 Minutes, former employees warned  that Unum gives its claims adjusters a monthly denial quota and allegedly rewards claims adjusters for denying claims.

The Unum Lawsuit is Case No. 7:17-cv-08034, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.