Unum Long-Term Disability Denial

Filing a Unum Appeal & Disability Lawsuit

Insurance companies like Unum have a legal duty to their policyholders to evaluate claims fairly. When they fail to do so, they may be acting in bad faith.

By denying valid long-term disability (LTD) claims, Unum creates more wealth for their executives and leaves injured claimants without the financial support they need and deserve.

Find out more about Unum disability denials:

• Unum was founded in 1848 and merged with Provident in 1999. Since then, the company has acquired several other insurers, making them one of the largest disability insurance providers in the United States.
• Over the years, Unum has faced multiple lawsuits over unfair claim denials and has consistently been ranked one of the worst insurance companies by the American Association for Justice.
• Previously, 48 states and Washington D.C. launched an investigation into Unum and accused the company of unfairly denying disability claims. The company was ordered to reassess thousands of denied claims and pay a $15 Million fine.
• In the case of Chapman v. UnumProvident, an eye surgeon who paid his premiums for 17 years developed extreme anxiety and was unable to safely perform surgeries. Unum denied his claim for LTD benefits, but a jury found that he was totally disabled and ordered the insurer to pay over $31 Million.

During an interview with Dateline, a former Unum employee disclosed that they were pressured to deny claims involving “subjective illnesses,” like chronic pain and mental health issues. Internal emails also revealed that staff were ordered to deny a certain number of claims to meet targets.

If you’ve been wrongfully denied disability benefits, there are options to fight back. At Sokolove Law, we can help families in all 50 states file a Unum appeal or lawsuit for compensation. Contact us now to get started.

Top 8 Unum Claim Denial Tactics

Unum has been accused of denying valid claims and making the appeals process difficult to discourage policyholders from pursuing the benefits they’ve paid for.

When they avoid paying claims, Unum protects their profits — often at the expense of people who rely on those benefits.

Common Unum claim denial tactics include: 

1. Ignoring or dismissing the opinions of your treating physicians
2. Limiting benefits for certain conditions, like mental health disorders
3. Minimizing the severity of your symptoms or limitations
4. Monitoring claimants’ social media or conducting surveillance to challenge the credibility of their disability claims
5. Rejecting claims based on minor paperwork errors
6. Relying on independent medical exams that may underestimate your condition
7. Requesting excessive or unnecessary documentation to delay decisions
8. Using confusing or contradictory language in denial letters to discourage appeals

Whether Unum is dragging out the claims process, intentionally making it confusing, or overburdening you with excessive requests, our team is here to help.

We understand the tactics insurance companies like Unum use to avoid paying valid claims, and we know how to fight back effectively.

How to Fight a Unum Long-Term Disability Denial

Every state has laws banning bad faith insurance practices. However, large insurance companies like Unum have resources at their disposal that can make filing a successful appeal difficult.

If Unum denied your long-term disability claim, you may still have options to secure the compensation you deserve.

Our attorneys may be able to help you fight back against a Unum denial by: 

• Filing an appeal over your denied LTD claim
• Requesting a second appeal if your initial appeal is denied
• Submitting a Unum complaint to your state’s Insurance Department
• Filing a Unum disability lawsuit
• Negotiating a Unum settlement with the insurer
• Taking your case to court if a settlement isn’t reached

Challenging a Unum claim denial may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let us stand up for your rights and build a strong case on your behalf, so you can focus on your health and recovery.

Our Unum Settlement Payouts

At Sokolove Law, we’ve secured more than $143 Million for clients facing unfair claim denials, including those involving Unum.

Some of our past Unum settlements and verdicts include: 

• ​​$975,000 to a physician whose Unum appeal was denied
• $800,000 for a man with a denied Unum LTD claim in California
• $400,000 to a woman in Washington with a frontal lobe injury
• $385,000 for a denied Unum claim in Massachusetts
• $350,000 to a Virginia woman facing Unum claims denials
• $325,000 for a Nebraska man with COVID brain fog facing a Unum claim denial
• $300,000 to a Tennessee man who injured his hands loading a water heater
• $233,000 for an Arizona client with a denied Unum disability claim
• $125,000 to a Connecticut man facing a Unum LTD denial
• $325,000 for an Illinois client whose Unum claim was wrongfully denied
• $185,000 to a Pennsylvania man who was injured in a car accident
• $275,000 for an Iowa man with a Unum disability claim denial
• $316,000 to an Illinois client with lupus and fibromyalgia
• $325,000 for a woman in Virginia with ALS facing a Unum denial
• $275,000 to a Missouri man facing a Unum claim denial
• $200,000 for a Louisiana man whose disability claim was denied by Unum
• $110,000 to a New Jersey woman with a denied Unum disability claim
• $325,000 for a Michigan client with depression
• $500,000 to a company president in Idaho whose New York Life and Unum disability claims were denied

While there’s never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our Unum disability attorneys are prepared to fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to.

Money from a Unum disability lawsuit can provide crucial financial support while you’re unable to work due to a serious injury or illness.

Unum Appeal Process: What to Expect

Appealing denied Unum long-term disability claims can be difficult to do on your own, especially when insurance companies like Unum are looking for any reason to deny your appeal.

The Unum appeal process generally involves your disability denial lawyers:

• Reviewing your denial letter and claim to identify the specific reasons Unum gave for denial
• Gathering evidence to strengthen your claim, like reports from additional medical evaluations or expert opinions
• Preparing a thorough appeal letter that directly addresses Unum’s reasons for denial and highlights evidence supporting your disability
• Communicating with Unum to clarify evidence requests, address procedural issues, and advocate for your claim’s approval

If you’ve received a long-term disability denial letter, we’re prepared to handle the Unum appeal process on your behalf — and there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team.

“Sokolove Law is the real deal. They've got the know-how, the passion, and the drive to fight for you every step of the way. Their dedication and hard work were unmatched.”
– Mechanic with a Denied Unum Claim

After Your Unum Disability Appeal

Once your Unum disability appeal is filed, it can take weeks or even months before you receive a response.

During this time, your legal team may stay in contact with Unum to confirm your appeal was received and to check on its progress:

• If your initial appeal is denied, a Unum lawsuit lawyer can help request a second appeal and gather additional evidence to strengthen your claim.
• If Unum denies your claim again after the second appeal, you may be able to take legal action and fight for the benefits you’re owed.

After you’ve exhausted your insurer’s internal appeals process, your attorney will prepare to file a Unum insurance lawsuit by filing a complaint with your state’s Insurance Department.

How to File a Unum Lawsuit

In some cases, you may be able to file a Unum lawsuit against your insurer to overturn the denial of your claim and hold the company accountable.

Insurance companies usually have legal teams who are prepared to spare no expense fighting your case — but our Unum lawsuit lawyers can even the playing field and put pressure on your insurer to pay you what you’re owed.

We’ll handle the legal legwork on your behalf, including negotiating a Unum settlement that could allow you to get compensation without going to court. If a settlement isn’t reached, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.

“When I got sick and couldn't work anymore, my insurance company denied my long-term disability claim. I felt lost and betrayed. But then I found Sokolove Law. They listened and cared about my story. Now, I have the help I need to move forward.”
– California Woman with a Denied Unum Claim

A successful Unum lawsuit could result in back pay for past-due benefits, reinstatement of your monthly payments, and, in some cases, additional damages if your insurer is found to have acted in bad faith.

Deadlines for Filing a Lawsuit Against Unum

The deadline for filing a lawsuit against Unum varies based on the specifics of your policy and the state you live in.

Each state has laws called statutes of limitations that determine how long you have to take legal action. Once the deadline in your case passes, you won’t be able to pursue compensation from a Unum lawsuit again.

Don’t miss your chance for justice: Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.

Federal Investigation for Unum Disability Denials

In the early 2000s, insurance regulators from 48 states and Washington, D.C. launched a joint investigation into Unum after thousands of policyholders reported wrongful denials of long-term disability benefits.

Regulators accused the company of routinely rejecting valid claims to cut costs and boost profits. This became known as the UnumProvident scandal.

As part of a Unum settlement, the company was ordered to:

• Reassess more than 200,000 previously denied claims
• Pay a $15 Million fine to state regulators
• Overhaul their claims-handling practices to comply with fair-dealing standards

Over 45% of the Unum long-term disability claims that were reassessed were reversed, resulting in more than $558 Million in additional benefits being paid out.

This scandal remains one of the most significant disability insurance investigations in U.S. history and highlights Unum’s long record of putting profits over people.

Unum Class Action Lawsuits

Over the years, Unum has continued to be met with a variety of legal challenges involving policyholders, the government, and their own employees.

Find out more about class action lawsuits against Unum:

• Unum class action lawsuit 2025: In April 2025, a judge approved a $14.8 Million Unum class action settlement to resolve nearly 1,000 claims from current and former employees after the workers were reportedly misclassified as exempt from overtime pay.
• Unum class action lawsuit 2023: A proposed class action lawsuit filed against the insurer claimed that Unum failed to protect the private information of policyholders following a data breach.
• Unum class action lawsuit 2021: Unum faced a proposed class action lawsuit over a two-week data breach that occurred in the fall of 2021.
• Unum class action lawsuit 2020: A proposed class action lawsuit against Unum alleged that the insurer wrongfully demanded policyholders pay back a portion of their LTD benefits after obtaining retroactive Social Security Administration (SSA) disability payments.
• Unum class action lawsuit 2008: Unum agreed to pay $40 Million to a group of investors who purchased Unum stock but were reportedly misled about the company’s financial standing.

These class action lawsuits reflect a pattern of questionable practices that have left Unum facing repeated challenges in court.

Unum Disability Updates 2025-2026

At Sokolove Law, we’re committed to providing you with the latest Unum lawsuit updates. Find out more about recent litigation and news involving the insurer.

Unum News & Disability Updates

• July 2025: In Schwartz v. Unum, a California court ordered Unum to pay benefits to an Experience Marketing Operations Manager with depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The insurance company previously denied her benefits, claiming that her conditions didn’t prevent her from completing her duties at work.
• May 2025: In Goodwin v. Unum, an appeals court upheld Unum’s denial of LTD benefits for a nursing assistant with vertigo, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and complications linked to COVID-19.
• April 2025: A judge approved a $14.8 Million settlement to resolve almost 1,000 claims filed by current and former Unum employees. The company reportedly misclassified employees, leaving them ineligible for overtime pay.
• June 2024: Unum reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor over their administration of life insurance plans, agreeing to reprocess certain claim denials and improve transparency regarding coverage delays.

If your Unum claim was denied, Sokolove Law is here to help. We may be able to file an appeal or lawsuit on your behalf, so you can focus on your health.

Unum Long-Term Disability Requirements

Unum long-term disability requirements can vary depending on your specific policy. However, most plans share certain general rules and conditions that policyholders should know before filing a claim or appeal.

Unum long-term disability requirements may include: 

• Being unable to perform your own occupation initially, and later, any occupation for which you’re reasonably qualified
• Supplying medical documents that show your illness prevents you from working
• Providing ongoing proof of your disability to continue receiving benefits
• Working a minimum number of hours when your disability first begins

In some cases, certain disabilities may be excluded, like those that stem from pre-existing conditions, self-inflicted harm, or illegal activities.

Understanding these general requirements can help you determine if you qualify for Unum long-term disability benefits. Knowing what your policy may require puts you in a stronger position when it comes time to file a Unum claim.

Common Unum Complaints

Unum has faced extensive criticism and litigation over how they handle LTD claims. Policyholders often described the process as frustrating, unfair, or even designed to discourage them from pursuing the benefits they’ve paid for.

Some of the most common complaints against Unum include:

• Delays & Lost Paperwork: In some cases, Unum may repeatedly request the same documents, claim they didn’t receive certain documents, or take months to make a decision.
• Excessive Documentation Requests: Unum may ask for unnecessary or duplicative records, making the process burdensome and exhausting.
• Limited Coverage: Some complaints involve Unum cutting off benefits after 24 months for mental health conditions or other disabilities with policy-imposed caps, even when the person is still unable to work.
• Poor Communication: Denial letters may use vague or confusing language, and customers may struggle to get updates or information from Unum representatives.
• Surveillance & Monitoring: In order to challenge a long-term disability claim, Unum may use social media monitoring and private investigators to film claimants, then point to short clips or posts to challenge a disability claim.
• Unfair Denials: Unum has been accused of ignoring the opinions of claimants’ doctors, relying on independent medical reviewers who never meet the patient, and insisting that policyholders can still work despite strong medical evidence to the contrary.

These issues have fueled Unum’s reputation as one of the most difficult insurance companies to work with, leaving countless individuals facing a drawn-out battle with their insurer to get benefits.

Sokolove Law: Fighting Unum Denials Nationwide

A Unum long-term disability claim denial is not the end of the road. You may still have options to pursue your LTD benefits, and Sokolove Law may be able to help.

For over 45 years, we’ve fought back against unfair Unum denials, securing more than $143 Million total for hardworking clients who were wrongfully denied benefits.

We can help individuals in all 50 states seek the compensation and justice they deserve — and there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team.

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free case review. We’re standing by to answer any questions you may have.

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