Company Changes to More Agree METLIFE’S INCRED The Story of Jim’s Battle Again Our client, William (not his real name), was denied long-term disability insurance benefits under an employee benefits plan insured by MetLife. He was a 44-year-old IT administrator earning about $140,000 per year before becoming disabled due to ongoing medication side effects and complications of psoriatic arthritis with associated neuropathy and fibromyalgia. William has long been treated by reputable neurologists, rheumatologists, and a primary care physician, and hung on to his work for years on the fringe of capability before finally giving in and filing for disability on his doctors’ advice. All agree that he cannot reliably work in any occupation, even part-time, due to the chronic pain syndrome associated with his condition, as well as the sedating side effects of his required medications.
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You matter. It’s an easy thing to forget with the overwhelming obligations and responsibilities most people have, but you matter. Everyone, including you, must practice self-care to ensure their happiness and peace of mind. Disconnect From Technology The connectivity provided by technology comes with several benefits, but they have just as many drawbacks. Companies design phones to be addictive. Your brain releases a little dopamine whenever you get a notification, not unlike a slot machine. That’s why we constantly check our phones, even when they don’t ring or vibrate. Meanwhile, studies correlate heavy social media usage with profound feelings of loneliness and depression. Everyone needs to distance themselves from technology every so often. Try leaving your phone at home when you go outside or set a specific no- screen time. Better yet, dive into nature. Practice yoga in the park or hike through the woods and breathe in the fresh air instead of scrolling. Dream More Our bodies demand that we spend about a third of the day sleeping, and it does so for a reason. Almost every cell needs time to refresh and renew. But many people continue to shrug off sleep, which falls to the bottom of their priorities. Take the time to increase your sleep quality. It helps almost every part of your body, from brain to toe. To do so, implement positive sleep habits. Don’t watch TV before bed, keep your bedroom dark, and put your phone on “do not disturb.” HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER YOU
Does your office turn away calls about “long-term disability insurance” claim denials because you don’t handle administrative appeals or “ERISA litigation” in federal court? We want to hear from you! We happily share fees on referred ERISA long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death insurance denial cases. Send us an email at BriefRecess@jpricemcnamara.com or call (225) 201-8311 to start the referral process! WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS! William’s condition varies unpredictably from day to day. On a good day, he can sit for about 2 hours, stand for about 10 minutes, and walk about 300 feet without pain. On a bad day, he spends most of the day in bed. Initially, MetLife expressly found William disabled from his occupation as an IT administrator and paid him long-term disability benefits for two years. Benefits were then terminated, even though the U.S. Social
Indulge Yourself It’s all too easy to devote our lives to other people, but taking time for ourselves is essential. Some me-time lets you get some perspective through joy. Once a month, push the responsibilities away and spend the day doing what you love. If you want a spa day, get a massage. If you’d prefer to paint figurines in your basement, that’s all you. We spend most of our time in our heads, preoccupied with our thoughts and focused on our obligations. It’s not good for our mental health. The sheer weight of life is heavy on our shoulders and minds. Ease those worries and anxieties by putting the phone away, getting a good night’s sleep, and spending quality time with ourselves.
ERISA is all we do!
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