Legal Question in Insurance Law in North Carolina
Longterm Disability benefits terminated unfairly
I have been on perm. disability since August 13, 1999,
was sent to hospital and admitted on the 12th from work, I have been on extended disability benefits which all my physicians have covered. I have been sent to several of Ins. Company's independant doctors,
that confirmed all physician findings that I am unable to work. I received a two day notice to go to another independant, I making every effort to change appointment due to mother's major surgery. I was terminated benefits. Please what recourse of action do I have?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Longterm Disability benefits terminated unfairly
If an insurer is unreasonably interfering with your
right to policy benefits, they can be sued. If you
have this policy as an employee benefit from work,
then you may be under the federal ERISA law. The
company would be liable for benefits and possibly
attorneys fees.
If not a work-related policy, then they could be
sued for bad faith which entails additional damages.
You should write a letter to the adjuster (I am
assuming your benefits were terminated by letter)
and demand a written explanation of why this occurred
within 5 days. If their reasons are put down in
writing you have a basis to do something.
I would contact an attorney who knows something about
this area of law - and ERISA is also a specialty.
You could also contact your state dept. of insurance
or consumer affairs agency.