Top Class Actions  |  July 29, 2013

Category: Labor & Employment

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Unum disability claim lawsuitCalifornia resident Victoria Arendain has filed a lawsuit against Unum Life Insurance Company over allegedly failing to live up to their commitment under their disability insurance policy. The lawsuit alleges that Unum has failed to honor the terms of the policy and unfairly canceled Arendain’s long-term disability benefits despite her doctors’ statements that she is unable to work.

Arendain suffered from severe back pain in 1997 after a series of work accidents, according to her Unum lawsuit. The back pain led to other, more serious medical problems, requiring multiple surgeries and ultimately rendering her disabled. The problems with her back cascaded into other issues, including issues with her knee. Failed corrective surgeries eventually led to her quitting her career in business administration.

According to her Unum lawsuit, Arendain has a severely limited ability to stand, walk, sit and even work on a keyboard. In 2001, both Unum and the United States Social Security Administration ruled that Arendain was totally disabled and unable to return to work. Per the lawsuit, “her back condition, diagnosed as failed back syndrome, has remained symptomatic to present.”

At the time she developed her medical problems, Arendain had Unum long-term disability insurance through her employer, TRW.

However, according to the Unum lawsuit, “Unum arbitrarily found Ms. Arendain could return to work in 2012” and her long-term disability benefits were terminated. This was despite the fact that multiple physicians had decided Arendain was permanently disabled and unable to work.

Arendain had received benefits for more than a decade when they suddenly came to a halt. Per the lawsuit, “[Unum] arbitrarily and unreasonably relied on retained consultants’ opinions while unreasonably ignoring plaintiff’s own statements and treating doctors’ opinions.”

Initially, Arendain filed an appeal through Unum’s internal appeals process. This did not change their decision. After exhausting that option, Arendain filed a lawsuit to get her long-term disability payments reinstated. Arendain alleges in the Unum lawsuit that the company breached their agreement with her when they failed to issue benefits even though she was disabled.

The Unum lawsuit is seeking several types of damages. First, it seeks the reinstatement of benefits, as well as back-owed benefits with interest. The lawsuit also seeks attorney fees.

The Unum Lawsuit is Victoria Arendain vs. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, Case No. C13-3224, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

Were Your Unum Benefits Wrongly Terminated?

If you have found yourself in the same situation as Arendain, you may feel daunted by the idea of going up against a big company like Unum. However, you need to remember that you have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain control over your situation.

You can start by visiting the Unum/UnumProvident Disability Insurance Claim Denial Class Action Lawsuit Investigation . Here, you can enter information about your case. Your information will be reviewed by a disability insurance attorney with a background in this type of litigation. This initial consultation is totally free of charge. From here, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your specific legal situation.

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