MetLife Long Term Disability Denial Reversed for Requiring Objective Evidence of Disability
In Jahn-Derian v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., a California Federal Judge disagreed with MetLife’s decision to deny disability benefits due to a lack of objective evidence. First, the court noted that objective evidence is not required since for many medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic migraines or mental disorders, no objective evidence is medically available. Second, Jahn-Derian provided significant objective evidence to support her claim.
The court did not remand on this issue, but found that, “In sum, the evidence establishes that plaintiff, more likely than not, was disabled within the meaning of the Plan’s terms.” The court ordered MetLife to pay the claimant 24 months of disability based on her inability to perform the tasks of her own occupation. This is a great opinion for disability claimants nationwide.
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