Securing Long-Term Disability Benefits for a Dedicated Dentist

At the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C., we recently had the privilege of helping a 58-year-old dentist, whose life and career had been profoundly impacted by a serious eye condition. Our client had been suffering from retinal detachment, lattice degeneration, and vitreous opacities in her right eye. These conditions led to diminished peripheral vision, significantly impairing her ability to safely and effectively perform her duties as a dentist. As anyone in the profession knows, precision and visual acuity are absolutely essential to the work, and our client’s visual limitations made this impossible.

The Challenge: Dentist Was Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits

Initially, our client filed a claim for long-term disability benefits through her insurance carrier, Protective. Unfortunately, her claim was denied based on an erroneous determination that she was not disabled according to the terms of her policy. This left her feeling frustrated and uncertain about her future.

However, our team at the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C., was committed to ensuring our client received the benefits she was rightfully entitled to. We understood the critical need to present a strong case on her behalf, and we immediately went to work on filing an appeal.

We knew we had to gather the appropriate evidence to show the full extent of her limitations. Our office worked closely with our client’s treating providers and medical specialists, ensuring that we had detailed medical documentation of her conditions and their impact on her ability to perform her occupational duties as a dentist. But we also understood that simply having medical evidence wouldn’t be enough—we needed to demonstrate the profound impact her visual impairments had on her ability to function as a dentist.

The Solution: Our Law Office Built a Strong Appeal Through Expert Testimony

To strengthen our appeal, we enlisted a dental ergonomics expert, whose independent opinion was crucial in supporting our case. The expert testified that our client could not return to work as a dentist, as the precision required for her profession was impossible with her diminished visual abilities. Her eye condition significantly impaired her ability to perform even the most routine procedures safely and reliably. The expert highlighted how any loss of precision due to her visual deficits would lead to a poor prognosis for patient treatment and would put both the patient and our client at risk.

With this comprehensive evidence—combining expert testimony, medical documentation, and a thorough understanding of our client’s occupation—we submitted a robust appeal to Protective. The insurance company, after carefully reviewing our submission, ultimately agreed that our client could no longer return to her visually demanding profession.

The Successful Outcome

The relief our client felt upon learning that Protective had reversed its decision and approved her long-term disability benefits was immeasurable. This outcome not only provided her with the financial support she needed, but it also gave her peace of mind knowing that she could focus on her health and recovery without worrying about her livelihood.

At the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C., we take pride in securing favorable outcomes for our clients, especially when they are facing challenges beyond their control. This case is a testament to the power of collaboration, thorough investigation, and persistence. We are proud to have helped our client get the support she deserved, allowing her to move forward with her life and health.