Unum Disability Insurance lawsuit Claim Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to Unum disability insurance lawsuit claims, the road to securing your benefits can be a challenging one. Unum Group, a prominent disability insurance company, holds a vast number of policyholders across the United States. However, their track record for approving claims has often raised concerns among policyholders. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the intricacies of Unum disability insurance lawsuit claims and how to navigate them successfully.

1 Understanding Unum Disability Insurance lawsuit
2 Unum’s Troubling Track Record with Unum Disability Insurance lawsuit
- 2.1 Some of the key issues identified included:
3 Challenges Faced by Policyholders
4 How We Can Help
5 Filing an Unum Disability Insurance Lawsuit
6 How to Secure Your Unum Disability Benefits
7 Contact Us Today
8 People also ask
9 Other searches
10 Read More Blogs Checkout Here:

Understanding Unum Disability Insurance lawsuit

Unum offers various disability insurance policies, including individual and group policies purchased through subsidiaries like Unum Life Insurance Company, Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company, and John Hancock Insurance Company. These policies create a contract between Unum and the insured, outlining their respective rights and responsibilities.

In essence, Unum disability insurance lawsuit is designed to provide a financial safety net for individuals who suffer an injury or illness, ensuring they continue to receive a stream of income in exchange for monthly premiums. Policyholders rightfully expect to receive their benefits when faced with disability. However, Unum’s history of claims handling has left many policyholders in limbo.

Unum’s Troubling Track Record with Unum Disability Insurance lawsuit

To fully appreciate the challenges of Unum disability claims, it’s crucial to acknowledge the carrier’s history of lawsuits and settlements. In 2003, Unum faced lawsuits from every state insurance commissioner in the US, leading to an investigation by the Department of Labor that deemed their claims handling process “unfair and unjust.”

Unum has faced significant legal challenges related to its claims handling process. For instance:

State Insurance Commissioner Lawsuits (2003): In 2003, every state insurance commissioner in the United States filed lawsuits against Unum, alleging unfair claims handling practices.
Department of Labor Investigation (2004): A Department of Labor investigation in 2004 found Unum’s claims handling process to be “unfair and unjust.” The examination revealed several problematic practices, includingexcessive reliance on in-house medical professionals and an unfair construction of attending physician reports.
Social Security Administration Lawsuit (2008): Unum was found guilty of defrauding the government by requiring policyholders to apply for SSDI benefits before receiving Unum’s benefits.

These legal challenges prompted Unum to enter into settlement agreements, which required the reassessment of denied or closed claims, modification of claims handling processes, and improved oversight.

Some of the key issues identified included:

Excessive reliance on in-house medical professionals.
Unfair construction of attending physician or IME (Independent Medical Examination) reports.
Failure to evaluate the totality of the claimant’s medical condition.
Placing an inappropriate burden on claimants to justify eligibility for benefits.

As a result of these investigations, Unum entered into multiple settlement agreements in 2005, requiring them to reassess denied or closed claims dating back to 1997, modify their claims handling process, and pay a significant fine to participating states and jurisdictions.

In 2007, Unum settled with the state of California, facing an $8 million fine and policy handling changes. Additionally, the Social Security Administration filed a lawsuit against Unum in 2008 under the False Claims Act, finding them guilty of defrauding the government by requiring policyholders to first apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Challenges Faced by Policyholders

Policyholders dealing with Unum disability claims often encounter a range of challenges, including:

1. Issues with Medical Records

Unum frequently disregards doctors’ statements about a claimant’s inability to work, sometimes using their chosen doctors to interpret records to their advantage. This approach can lead to unfair denials or undervalued claims.

2. Difficulty in Contacting Representatives

Getting in touch with the right representative at Unum can be a frustrating process, causing delays in the claims process and leading some policyholders to abandon their claims out of sheer frustration.

3. Excessive Information Requests

Unum may request unnecessary and time-consuming additional information from claimants, further delaying the claims process.

How We Can Help

At Tucker Disability Law, we specialize in representing Unum policy members facing denied, delayed, or undervalued claims. Our experienced disability lawyers are here to assist you:

Appealing Denied Claims

If your Unum disability claim is denied, we can prepare and manage an appeal or file a lawsuit on your behalf to secure the benefits you deserve.

Defense Against Delay Tactics

For policyholders experiencing delays, our team provides robust defense against unnecessary and aggressive tactics employed by Unum.

Maximizing Your Claim Value

We can help you secure the full value of your disability claim, ensuring that Unum doesn’t undervalue your rightful benefits.

Filing an Unum Disability Insurance Lawsuit

In some cases, after exhausting the appeal process, policyholders may need to file a lawsuit to secure their benefits. Individual policyholders usually do not require an appeal before filing a lawsuit, but the statute of limitations can vary by state and policy language.

For group or employer policies regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), you must first appeal a denial before suing. Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating ERISA cases in federal courts across the country, ensuring you receive the necessary legal support.

How to Secure Your Unum Disability Benefits

If you’ve experienced any of these challenges, it’s essential to take action. Contacting experienced disability lawyers like us at Tucker Disability Law can make a significant difference in securing the benefits you deserve.

Appealing a Denied Claim: After a denied claim, you have the option to appeal. However, seeking legal representation for your appeal can greatly enhance your chances of success. An experienced attorney can guide you through the appeals process, ensuring it’s strategic, compliant with deadlines, and based on a thorough understanding of your claim file.

Filing a Lawsuit: In some cases, particularly for individual policyholders, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to secure your benefits. The statute of limitations for lawsuits varies by state and policy language. For group or employer policies governed by ERISA, appealing the denial is typically required before filing a lawsuit.

Contact Us Today

Tucker Disability Law is a nationally recognized law firm committed to fighting for the rights of individuals with Unum disability insurance lawsuit claims. If you are facing complications with your Unum disability insurance lawsuit claim, contact us today. We offer counseling services for individual policyholders, assistance at any stage of the claims process for group or employer policyholders, and a commitment to securing the benefits you deserve.

Don’t navigate the complexities of Unum disability insurance lawsuit claims alone. Let us be your advocates in securing the financial support you need during challenging times. Contact Tucker Disability Law today for a free evaluation of your case.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with valuable insights and guidance when dealing with Unum disability insurance lawsuit claims. Our experienced team at Tucker Disability Law is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you receive the benefits you rightfully deserve.