Orthopedic Surgeon Sues Unum for Denying Disability

By Jessica Tyner

Dr. Alan M. Gross was a successful California orthopedic surgeon since the mid-1980s, and he counted on Unum to provide disability insurance just in case he became unable to practice. After all, as a surgeon, his costs of living were relatively high and he wanted to ensure that he and his loved ones would be protected in a worst case scenario. Unfortunately, when the worst case did happen, he found out just how ill-equipped he really was.

In the mid-90s, Gross was diagnosed with diabetes when he began experiencing numbness in his hands and blurred vision – heartbreaking side effects for a surgeon. However, he thought the disease was under control and continued practicing. Two years after his diabetes diagnoses, he took off his gloves post-surgery and noticed it was filled with blood. He’d cut himself during surgery, but didn’t realize it because of the numbness. He knew he had to stop operating.

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Unum's Checkered Past & Reputation Lead to Lawsuits

By Amanda Antell

America’s largest disability company, Unum, is checkered by claim denials and past scandals. Unum was listed as number two in the American Association for Justice (AAJ)’s “Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America” in 2012. In 2008, Unum was found guilty of fraud in some of their insurance cases.

Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Unum is currently the largest disability insurance company worldwide. Despite its popularity, many claim denial victims, and even former employees of the agency, find the company’s policies unforgiveable in many aspects.

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NJ Police Officers Seek $8 Million in Unpaid Overtime

By Anne Bucher

A group of police officers are seeking to bring a class action lawsuit against the city of East Orange, New Jersey. These officers claim that they are owed up to $8 million in unpaid overtime since September 2009.

The unpaid overtime lawsuit was initially filed on September 24, 2012. In May, the plaintiffs filed a motion in a New Jersey federal court to seek class certification for current and former East Orange police officers with unpaid overtime claims. Twenty-one officers have joined the potential class action lawsuit. East Orange officers Stephen Rochester, Jermaine Wilkins and Raymond Donnerstag are named as the lead plaintiffs in this FLSA class action lawsuit.

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Unum Systematically Denied Legitimate Disability Claims

By Anne Bucher

More than 50 million Americans pay for disability insurance to protect them in the event that they become sick or injured. However, a growing number of policyholders are claiming that they have been denied disability payments that they should have been entitled to receive.

Unum Accused of Wrongful Disability Claim Denial

Unum is the largest provider of disability insurance in the U.S. More than 17 million count on Unum to protect them in case they are no longer able to work due to illness or disability. Whether the injury is temporary or permanent, disability insurance helps provide an important safety net to millions of vulnerable Americans.

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Unum Insurance Gives Heart Patient One Day's Notice of Termination

By Jessica Tyner

Byron was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition in 2007 that required a cardiac defibrillator to be permanently implanted in his chest. Living in Fort Worth, Texas, he made his living as a construction worker and forged ahead in this demanding environment post-surgery. He continued for two years, happy to have a secure contract with a school district, until his doctor told him he just wasn’t able to work any longer. It wasn’t safe and the work was taking a toll on his health. Byron didn’t want to stop working, but he followed his doctor’s orders.

Byron is one of many people who had Unum disability and life insurance. After his doctor diagnosed him as permanently disabled, Byron applied for long-term disability (LTD) with Unum. Unlike other Unum victims, Byron says at first it was easy to file and get payments. However, after six months he began receiving relentless calls from Unum. For two years, Unum representatives hounded Byron, asking when he was going back to work and claiming they had “heard” he was healthy. When Byron asked where they got that information, they just laughed, he says.

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Forever 21 Employee Files Class Action Lawsuit for Wage Violations

By Jessica Tyner

Forever 21 has been hit with a class action lawsuit accusing the popular clothing retailer of failing to provide meal breaks, rest periods and overtime wages. Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit further claim that requisite bonuses weren’t paid which qualify as overtime, and that the company failed to cover business expenses as required under law.

The Forever 21 class action lawsuit was filed in California by lead plaintiff Juana Diaz. Diaz was an hourly, non-exempt employee who, under California law, should have received bonuses or “incentive pay,” which was to be calculated as part of her rate of pay. However, Diaz claims Forever 21 forced her to stay at the store during meal time and work through breaks, work more than 10 hours per day at a time with no additional meal period, and work over four hours without her 10-minute break. She also had to drive to different Forever 21 locations around the region and was never reimbursed for mileage, according to the class action lawsuit.

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