The Hartford - Disability

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Joseph of Vichy, MO June 24, 2008

Joseph of Vichy MO (06/24/08)
I was injured at work (Wal-mart, inc) and they sent me to a doctor, who after months of ineffective treatment said my injury was not work related. So I sought medical treatment from the VA and they found a herniated disk in my cervical spine. This herniated disk was also present in the MRI that the worker comps doctor took and did not look at (I know this because when I tried to give him the disc with the images on it he said it was my souviner and to keep it) so long story short, wal-mart refuses to pay my workers comp sayin I was not injured at work and the Hartford won't pay my short term disability, claiming that because Wal mart will not admit or deny it was a work injury, and because if it is a work injury they won't pay, and because worker's comp won't give a definative denial letter (they claim my lawyer didn't file the paperwork properly)

They are denying my claim. I submitted paperwork from wal-mart stating that they and their doctor claim it is not a work related injury, that is not sufficient enough because I had an independent medical evaluation done by my attorney's doctor stating it was work related that it opens the door for future possible worker's compensation monies, therefore the Hartford will not pay my insurance, but if they would pay my insurance then I am required to repay them any monies they give me if I receive worker's compensation or if I file and am awarded Disability.

This has put me in dire finacial straits. I went from having a good job and what I thought was finacial security (i.e. insurance) to living off of food stamps and my girlfriends disability check. I am about to lose my house, car, and everything. I was never told when I signed up for Hartford insurance all the restrictions, or I would never have joined. I paid this company for security and I have to rely on the VA and the state instead and the Hartford took my money.

Sanela of Portland, ME June 5, 2008

Sanela of Portland ME (06/05/08)
During my pregnancy I have experienced pregnancy related problems, and was asked by my doctor to stop working immediately. However, the Hartford insurance did not think that pregnancy related problems are good enough reasons for me to stop working two weeks before my due date, and I was denied for any benefits. They are still denying me everything, even my c-section recovery. I left work 6 weeks before my due date, however I also have delivered two weeks before my due date.

When I was talking to someone from Hartford on the phone, they told me that I would qualify for the short disability only if I have left my work two weeks before my due date. Even when I explained them my health problems that were affecting my baby and me, and faxed them over appeal letter, notes, and letters from my doctor, they still are denying me.

I dont know what to do anymore. I had no money to cover my hospital bills and no money to pay my health insurance. Therefore, I had no choice but to quit my job and get free state insurance, so I can take my baby to her doctor visits. I still have to money, I defiantly can not afford a lawyer to help my with this situation.

Rufus of Memphis, TN May 13, 2008

Rufus of Memphis TN (05/13/08)
In June of 2005 I was informed by my doctors that my Cancer had returned. I was then informed that I would have to have another Stem Cell Transplant. I applied for Short Term Disability and filled out all the necesssary paper work. It was obvious already that this would lead to long term disability. When selecting my benefits package, I opted for the Long Term Disabillity which guaranteed me 60% of my gross salary. While explaning our benefits package, at no time we were told that our benefits were based upon income from other sources. Neither is it written in the policy handbook that was given to us by ITT.

Upon receiving Long Term Disability, I receieved a letter from the Hartford telling me that I had to apply for Social Security. I was also told that the amount I received from Social Security would be deducted from my disability. I told them that this was not the benefit package that I signed up for and showed them that this was not in the policy handbook that was given to us by ITT. I was told that this agreement was between the Hartford and ITT and that it was ITT responsiblity to tell us about this agreement. I again asked why wasn't any of this in our benefits handbook in which I received no answer. After receiving my transplant, my condition got worse and I had to have another transplant.

During this period I started receiving SSI. When I reported my SSI income to the Hartford, they said that I was overpaid and they took my entire disability payments. Currently I donot receive any disability at all. I was told that I will not receive any disability payments until they recoup what they consider was overpayment. I asked about an appeal process and was told that there was no appeal process. I was told that there decision was final and that there was nothing I could do but accept it. I then requested a copy of the handbook that stated this. I was sent three copies of the handbooks that was passed out by ITT.

Finally, upon further prodding, I was sent a copy of their proposed handbook which is clearly different and spelled out in detail the benefits. I cannot understand why we were led to believe we were getting one coverage, while in fact we were getting another. I was told that any income I receieve will be deducted from my disabiility. The purpose of my purchasing this insurance was to make sure that I would be able to take care of my family during my time of illness.

Due to the fact that they have now taken all of my income, the stress alone has caused me numerouos health issues. I have problems sleeping at nights. Im in jeopardy of losing my home. I can't even pay for my medicine. Currently I take medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, neuropathy, and my doctors feel that I am depressed. How can they just take every dime that I paid for. Im paying for an insurance that I am not getting any coverage for. At this moment right now I have 5 Prescriptions that's at the pharmacy right now, that I need to take but I don't have the money to pay for them. I struggle to make doctor's appointments because I can't afford the gas to get there. I have to see at least 7 different specialists a week.

Battling this Terminal Cancer is hard enough without having to fight with Hartford Disability for something I've paid for. Please, please help me get my disability restarted. This is totally unfair. I have testimonials from other clients who have gone through the same thing including a former worker for the Hartford that was told the same thing that I was.We were told that we would receive 60% of our income and I think that the Hartford need to honor it's agreement. My wife has Power of Attorney over all my affairs due to the nature of my illness and has full rights to act and make decisions on my behalf. The illness that I have is Multiple Myeloma.

Mark of East Ellijay, GA May 10, 2008

Mark of East Ellijay GA (05/10/08)
I was diagnosed with a disease in which I had to have chemo type drugs for almost a year. All this due to a car accident from years back. But the policy was suppose to pay me benefits. They did. But Not with out circumstances. I have had 33 operations. Total hip replacement, spinal fusion, cervical diskectomy and many others to relieve the pain. Nothing works. Now I am on 200mg Oxy a day to relieve the pain. When I leave the house it is timed so that it is after I take my meds so I feel better. I have to admit, I thought they were doing pretty good in administering my claim.

But things changed. As I read these comments above I see a lot that was done to me. They harassed myself as well as family members and especially my 72 year old mother. They (the PI they hired) parked right in front of her apartment with their lights on with them set right on in the living room. They just sit there. Watching to see what time we went to bed and what time we got up.

Folks, ALL I GOT TO SAY IS DON'T BELIEVE A WORD THEY TELL YOU. They sound so nice over the phone but.... The examiner they had come out to the house also took everything I said out of context. He worded it to fit what he needed me to say. The PI's lied on about 80% of the report. IT was after this I knew I could not trust them 1%. In their termination letter they stated many false accusations and used these to terminate my benefits the end of the year. WITHOUT ANY NOTIFICATION, until it was said and done.

I hired an attorney, who wasn't even an ERISA attorney. I should have used an ERISA attorney. I spent 6000 on fees, including hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist that works for Social Security, yes FOR social security. His jaw dropped when he went through my file. The insurance company said out of 13000 jobs, they found 3 that I could do. Strange thing, no one knew what those jobs were. But they did pay the required amount to satisfy my claim defination of disabled. So they said I could do those jobs. Unfortunately, who is going to hire someone who is taking 13 different types medication especially 200mg Oxycontin a day. I would most certainly be a liability. I believe The Hartford terminates claims knowing that the customers can not hire attorneys because they cant afford them. I had 3 doc's at the time stating I was disabled. But they got some Hired Hands to review my records, and not even meet me, and determine that I was in fact able to work. My benefits were terminated without warning. And if you are on disability you know it comes at a price.

I appealed their decision, and according to ERISA they can request yet ANOTHER 45 days to make up their minds. Which is exactly what they did. Causing me even more hardship. My credit was ruined, I was homeless and like many other I though seriously about SUICIDE. Folks, I think that is exactly what they want us to do. Get rid of us and they don't have a claim. I think that once you have been approved for Social Security Disability, they should be a limit as to what they can do to you after that.

Jerry of Judsonia, AR May 7, 2008

Jerry of Judsonia AR (05/07/08)
i have been on dis. for over 10 years .now harford put me out of my benfet .i have 6 mo to apeal .but i am wore out .it have been 5 mo. with out check .my doctor said i am disbilty .i will never get better .at time i just want to die to get out of pain .hartfort will be glad if i did thay have made it hard for the last 10 years

thay were supto to help me till age 65 thay even offter me i think over 40,000.00 but i need the checks over the years and i decline the 40. so thay say i could work and cut me off .if i cant work ,i cant belive tay can take me checks

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