The insurance company Unum finds itself the subject of another disability insurance lawsuit after a California man claimed that Unum Life Insurance Company wrongfully denied his long-term disability claims. This Unum lawsuit joins many others filed against the disability insurance provider by people who allegedly have had their insurance taken away from them.

Background on Unum Lawsuit

Plaintiff James B. claims in the Unum lawsuit that his benefit plan entitled to Unum disability benefits after he developed serious heart problems and was unable to continue working. James has a defective heart valve and has had three open-heart surgeries; he continues to suffer from cardiac disease that causes severe shortness of breath and fatigue even when at rest or engaged in only mild physical activities.

Because of these health problems, James was unable to perform his professional tasks. He applied for Unum disability benefits and was granted short-term disability benefits for the time period July 10, 2012, to Oct. 7, 2012. He applied for social security disability insurance, but still required Unum disability benefits until he could receive those benefits.

James’ Unum Claims

On Dec. 7, 2012, Unum denied James’ insurance claim. A month later, James appealed the denial and alleged bad faith insurance practices. Unum denied his appeal in October 2013. James was without adequate coverage for months, and lost his life-insurance benefits because of the original denied insurance claim.

James’ Unum lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for months of denied Unum disability benefits and to have his long-term disability insurance and life insurance reinstated.

Many individuals like James who have had insurance claims denied by Unum have also filed Unum lawsuits. Plaintiffs have claimed that the large disability insurance provider was guilty of conflict of interest, as Unum is responsible both for providing the benefits and for qualifying the insurance policy holder’s disability. 

This Unum Lawsuit is Case No. 4:15-cv-03196, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.