Long Term Disability Law Blog
The video discusses a resolved disability insurance lawsuit against New York Life involving a high-level software engineer who was denied both short-term and long-term disability benefits. Despite suffering from severe lower-back pain, radiculopathy, rare Tarlov cysts, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, New York Life denied her claims based on a paper-only peer review and ignored extensive objective medical evidence. Her medical conditions caused significant pain and cognitive difficulties that prevented her from performing the demanding analytical and programming duties of her job, and her treating physicians strongly supported her disability claim.
After her appeals were denied, the attorneys filed an ERISA lawsuit seeking recovery of both short-term and long-term benefits. Although ERISA cases carry litigation risks and limited remedies, the strong medical record made the case compelling. During court-required mediation, the claimant chose a lump-sum settlement to avoid uncertainty and further risk, resulting in a favorable resolution without a trial.