A New York man is wondering why his disability claim has been denied in a new Unum claim denial lawsuit.

Plaintiff Mark W. has filed a Unum claim denial lawsuit against the insurance giant claiming that they have unfairly denied long-term disability benefits that should have been paid to him.

Mark is a Harvard Business School graduate and worked as a consultant for McKinsey, a management consulting firm that provides services to Fortune 500 companies.

As a consultant, Mark often worked 60-70 hours per week and at times up to 90 hours in one week. He traveled from Monday through Thursday at least three weeks of every month.

His job was highly demanding and according to his Unum claim denial lawsuit, required “tight deadlines; complex analytical thinking and problem-solving; analyzing complex numerical data with speed and accuracy; intellectually challenging projects; application of industry knowledge; strong memory; sustained high levels of attention and concentration; public and peer interaction; adaptation to change; independent planning; directing, controlling or planning activities of others; and influencing people in their opinions, attitudes and judgments.”

But on March 5, 2015, Mark says, he became unable to function at the high level that had been required of him. He was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Together, these conditions are also called Systemic Exertion Intolerance Syndrome. He also suffered from migraine headaches and cognitive defects including the inability to focus or concentrate, memory problems and confusion.

According to his Unum claim denial lawsuit, Mark filed an application for long-term disability benefits for his conditions on Aug. 31, 2015.

In his application, his physician included a description of his diagnosis and his symptoms which included severe fatigue and exhaustion, widespread pains, muscle spasms, gastrointestinal problems, and excessive sleep without feeling rested among many other debilitating problems.

After his doctor ruled out infectious diseases, she referred Mark to the Stanford Chronic Fatigue Clinic and after this, concluded that all the criteria for Systemic Exertion Intolerance Syndrome were satisfied. Because of the extreme nature of this condition, the doctor concluded that Mark would no longer be able to complete his job as a consultant for McKinsey.

According to his Unum claim denial lawsuit, because of the long hours that are required as a consultant, his condition would not allow him to continue in his position.

With headaches that lasted for days, multiple trips to the emergency room and extreme fatigue and malaise, Mark could no longer perform his job.

Several different medical consultants from Unum, the carrier of Mark’s long-term disability policy, met with Mark and his physicians to discuss his case. Mark’s condition was repeatedly glossed over by employees of Unum who did not believe his condition was severe enough to warrant long-term disability.

Finally, in January 2016, Unum denied claims for long-term disability. After Mark appealed their decision, he was denied again in October 2016. According to his Unum claim denial lawsuit, Mark believes that it is Unum’s best interest to deny his claim and that they have done so to increase their bottom line.

This Unum Claim Denial Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-03254 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.