The Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C. Secures Disability Benefits for Executive with a Progressive Cognitive Disease

The Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C. achieved a significant victory on behalf of a senior corporate executive whose short term disability benefits had been wrongfully terminated by New York Life. Our client, who held a demanding leadership role overseeing contracts, export compliance, and high level regulatory responsibilities, experienced progressive cognitive decline due to a severe neurodegenerative condition. As his symptoms intensified, affecting memory, judgment, processing speed, and executive functioning, he could no longer perform the essential duties of his occupation.

Although extensive medical evidence documented his deterioration, including neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, biomarker analysis, and consistent evaluations from multiple specialists, New York Life terminated his benefits after relying solely on selective internal file reviews. New York Life disregarded clinical findings, failed to conduct an independent examination, neglected to evaluate the true cognitive demands of his role, and overlooked the combined impact of his impairments. Its determination conflicted with established ERISA standards requiring a full and fair review and proper consideration of all medical and functional evidence.

Our firm challenged New York Life’s reasoning by providing a comprehensive analysis showing how our client’s cognitive limitations directly interfered with contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, risk assessment, and leadership, core aspects of his position. We demonstrated that no evidence suggested medical improvement and that New York Life’s approach was arbitrary and unsupported by the record. We also highlighted the legal requirement to evaluate all impairments collectively and to give appropriate weight to longitudinal clinical observations.

As a result of our appeal, New York Life reversed its adverse decision and reinstated our client’s short term disability benefits, confirming his eligibility for long term disability protection. This outcome restored vital financial stability as he continues to navigate a progressive neurological illness. The case underscores our firm’s expertise in handling complex disability matters, presenting sophisticated medical evidence, and ensuring that insurers fulfill their legal obligations to claimants facing life altering health conditions.