Former teacher sues for long-term disability claim denial

A West Virginia school teacher is suing an insurance company for her long-term disability benefits. The lawsuit was filed in the Raleigh County Circuit Court on Aug. 12. The complaint names Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company d/b/a CNA Group Life Assurance Company as the defendant.

The woman alleges in the complaint that her premiums were paid for over five years for her long-term disability policy. Those payments were made through payroll deductions. In July 2013, the woman’s sick leave ran out and she filed a claim for long-term disability benefits. The woman hadn’t received any benefits from the policy before.

The insurance company denied the claim for long-term disability benefits. As a result, the woman now seeks the benefits she has been denied, as well as court costs, attorney’s fees and other relief that the court may find is equitable and just.

When you pay premiums for a group long-term disability insurance policy, those payments are supposed to ensure that your benefits are available when you need them. In most cases, long-term disability payments start after you have missed work for six months, although each policy can be different. If your claim for benefits is denied, you can file for an appeal. However, this can be a complex legal option. Therefore, an attorney’s guidance can be valuable.

Should you or a loved one have a claim for benefits denied, it’s important that you are aware of your legal rights and options. An experienced attorney can provide more information on how to pursue the benefits that you or your loved one is due.

Source: West Virginia Record, “Former schoolteacher seeks disability benefits,” Philip Gonzales, Aug. 26, 2016