Whether or not you get Social Security Disability benefits can come down to what medical evidence is in your file and what that evidence says about your ability or inability to work....
Continue readingUNUM and Paul Revere have been found to have engaged in “conscious course of conduct firmly grounded established company policies that disregard the rights of insured’s,” Hangarter v. Provident Life An Accident Insurance Company, 373f.3d998, 1014 (9th Circuit 2004). A jury returned a punitive verdict at over $10 million against UNUM Provident and Paul Revere finding that Provident had used round table reviews involving claim’s personnel, medical staff, vocational staff, legal counsel and management personnel. These round table reviews were focused on high indemnity claims, all notes about who participated in the meeting,...
Continue readingIn these desperate economic times, the long wait for a Social Security Disability hearing, can make the difference between eating, getting medical care, or even losing your home. With little money coming in, a lot of people wonder how to pay for rent, utilities, and groceries and wonder whether or not they should get a job. ...
Continue readingIf you are a Paul Revere, UNUM Provident policyholder who suffers from Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue and whose claim has been denied, pay attention! In a case called Hangarter v. Provident Life: An Accident Insurance Company, 373f.3d998, 1014 (9th Circuit 2004) found that in the early 1990’s UNUM Provident realized that policies made on own occupation insurance policies that they had sold was putting UNUM Provident at financial risk. The court in Hangarter found that as a result, that UNUM changed its claims handling practices and philosophy from a company that once willingly paid...
Continue readingWhen should I get a Social Security Disability Attorney?...
Continue readingAn interesting article in Chattanooga Times Free Press, UNUM Chief Executive Office Tom Watjen, sat down with a Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter to discuss “UNUM’s success despite the economic downturn.” We know where UNUM’s successes come from. Did you know that UNUM’s operating income has jumped more than 42% since 2006 and their earnings per share has increased 39% during the same time? Unfortunately, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Brain Lezendy didn't ask Mr. Watjen the right questions. Those questions that should have been asked: 1. The number of claims that they have received during this time period? 2. How...
Continue readingMany Long Term Disability carriers such as UNUM, track very closely the leading causes of payment in Long Term Disability benefits. In a May 3, 2010 press release, UNUM advised for the “9th consecutive year, cancer is the leading cause of Long Term Disability claims for UNUM. They constituted over 11.8% of the Long Term Disability claims in 2009.” UNUM has prepared a booklet called “Moving Down: Cancer Survivors at Work.” UNUM is aggressive about attempting to return those who have been diagnosed with cancer to work and their statistics show that 50-70% of...
Continue readingThere is often a gap in time from when a disabled person who is applying for Social Security loses their group health insurance and their entitlement to Medicare....
Continue readingThe Social Security Administration analyzes a claim for Social Security Disability benefits by determining whether or not you are able to do the lightest job you have held in the last 15 years and whether or not you are able to do other work. ...
Continue readingIf the disability examiner or judge notes in your medical records that you are “depressed” or “anxious,” the Social Security Administration may be obligated to send you for a mental consultative examination even if you don’t claim to be depressed or anxious on your application and have never sought treatment. ...
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