Three Plaintiffs have filed separate lawsuits against Standard Insurance Company (Standard) for the wrongful denial of long term disability benefit payments as defined by the terms of their respective Plans. The Plaintiffs filed these lawsuits in the States of South Carolina and Florida (two cases).

Case Against Standard in South Carolina

The Plaintiff, Joyce O, has filed this lawsuit against Standard due to the fact that she did not receive the long term disability benefits that she was entitled to under the plan to which she was entitled based on her employment with Cleco Corporation. Standard fully insured this plan, and was also the sole entity for deciding which claims were approved or denied. The Plaintiff could no longer work due to specific problems she dealt with, causing her to file for long term disability benefits.

Standard denied the Plaintiff’s claim for disability benefits. Plaintiff appealed the denial, but Standard denied the appeal as well. Due to exhausting all administrative remedies, Plaintiff has filed this lawsuit against Standard.

Case Against Standard in Orlando, Florida

The Plaintiff, Leroy J, has filed this lawsuit against Standard because he was denied the long-term disability benefits he was entitled to under the long term disability plan provided by his employer, The Suddath Companies, which was fully insured by Standard. Plaintiff appealed the denial, but the appeal was denied as well, with the last denial coming via letter on November 23, 2011. Due to the fact that all administrative remedies were used, Plaintiff filed this lawsuit against Standard.

Case Against Standard in Tampa, Florida

The Plaintiff, Carole G, filed this action against Standard due to the fact that Standard denied the Plaintiff long term disability benefits that were entitled to the Plaintiff via a long term disability plan provided by the Plaintiff’s employer, which was underwritten by Standard.

Despite the fact that the Plaintiff is deemed “disabled” according to the terms of the Plan, Standard denied the Plaintiff’s claim, as well as the resulting appeal of the original denial. Due to the fact that the Plaintiff has exhausted all administrative remedies, Plaintiff has filed this lawsuit against Standard.

Merits of Lawsuits Against Standard

In all three aforementioned cases, Plaintiffs claim that Standard manipulated the terms of the respective Plans in its favor to avoid paying benefits it rightfully should pay to the Plaintiffs. Standard has also ignored or not properly weighed the medical evidence submitted by the Plaintiffs in support of their claims. Plaintiffs have suffered much financial harm due to the wrongful denial of the payments of benefits to the Plaintiffs.

Relief Sought By Plaintiffs

In these respective lawsuits, Plaintiffs want the following from Standard:

  • Payment of all past, present, and future disability benefits that the Plaintiffs are entitled to under the terms of the respective Plans
  • All accrued interest on all owed disability benefit payments
  • All reasonable attorneys’ fees
  • All associated court costs
  • All ancillary benefits that may occur due to the reinstatement of Plaintiffs’ disability benefits
  • All other relief determined to be proper and just by this Court