A Louisiana-based life insurance company is facing a suit after a disable health worker claims the insurer falsely denied her benefits.
Brenda Andrus filed a lawsuit February 5 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Unum Life Insurance Co. of America, claiming the insurer denied long-term disability benefits and waiver of life insurance premiums.
The complaint states that Andrus worked as a case manager for Opelousas General Health System, which included her as an insured participant of a group disability policy issued by Unum. Andrus is allegedly disabled and suffers from a number of medical conditions, including sarcoidosis, severe fatigue, hypercrapnic respiratory failure, chronic bronchitis, low back pain, diabetes, lymphadenopathy and hypertension.
While these issues have prevented her from working, the suit says, Unum denied her claims and benefits.
Andrus says she filed an appeal to the denial, providing evidence that she was disabled under policy terms, including submitting letters from three treating doctors who said she was unable to maintain full-time employment.
However, she says that despite notifying Unum about her conditions and giving them medical documentation, the company repeatedly denied her benefits and failed to property adjust and pay her claims.
Andrus is seeking penalties against Unum under the Louisiana Insurance Code.
According to the complaint, she is suing for damages, including past and future disability benefits, interests, for continued life insurance coverage without premium, for penalties under the Louisiana Insurance Code, damages from physical and emotional injuries, court costs and attorney fees and any other rewards deemed just.
Andrus is being represented by New Orleans firm Willeford & Toledano.
