The Client
When our client, Brad (name anonymized) first contacted BenGlassLaw in March 2025, he was facing what many long COVID patients encounter: a denial from Prudential Insurance for his long-term disability claim. He was a high-level director at one of the biggest tech brands in the world—a leader in innovation, strategy, and results. But in early 2025, his world turned upside down. After a prolonged battle with long COVID, the once high-performing executive found himself exhausted, confused, and unable to function. The fatigue was relentless. The brain fog, suffocating. He couldn’t read a simple document, let alone lead a team.
When he filed for long-term disability benefits, Prudential didn’t see a struggling human being. They saw a case to deny.
The Challenge: Invisible Disabilities Meet Insurance Skepticism
Brad’s case presented the classic long COVID dilemma. Despite being a high-earning professional unable to work due to debilitating fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and post-exertional malaise, his disability was largely invisible to traditional medical testing. Prudential’s initial denial was predictable but frustrating—the insurer simply didn’t see enough “objective” evidence to support his claim.
The BenGlassLaw team, led by Attorney Damon Miller and Disability Appeals Case Manager Mary Bruniany, recognized this case would require more than standard medical records. Long COVID cases demand a comprehensive approach that makes the invisible visible.
The Strategy
At BenGlassLaw, we knew this wasn’t just a paperwork problem. It was a storytelling challenge. We had to make the invisible visible—and we knew how to do it.
We built a case that no insurer could ignore. First came the science: a two-day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) at WorkWell, which confirmed his body’s inability to produce energy or recover normally. Then, a Cognitive Functional Assessment laid bare the cognitive dysfunction behind his struggles.
But we didn’t stop there. We gathered medical records from top-tier institutions, secured letters from treating physicians, and collected firsthand accounts from family, friends, and colleagues—people who had seen his sharp decline. And we sat down with him for a deeply personal interview, transforming data into a powerful, human story.
Our final submission? A 286-page appeal that left no doubt: this man could not work. And he deserved his benefits.
When Insurance Companies Fight Back
Rather than reviewing the evidence fairly, Prudential doubled down. In September 2025, the sent the file to two hired doctors—“independent reviewers” —who claimed Brad could still work at a desk.
But we were ready.
We secured expert rebuttals from the very doctors who had tested and treated him, exposing the reviewers’ cherry-picked conclusions and factual blind spots. Within weeks, faced with irrefutable evidence and relentless advocacy, Prudential reversed its decision.
The Victory
By October 2025, faced with an overwhelming body of evidence and expert rebuttals that exposed the weaknesses in their peer reviews, Prudential capitulated. The insurer approved Brad’s claim, agreeing to pay both past-due and ongoing benefits.
Lessons for Long COVID Cases
This victory demonstrates several crucial principles for long COVID long-term disability cases:
- Objective testing is essential: The CPET and CFA provided undeniable evidence that transformed the case from subjective complaints to documented limitations.
- Comprehensive documentation matters: Every piece of evidence, from medical records to personal impact letters, contributed to the overall picture.
- Expert rebuttals are powerful: Having qualified experts challenge biased peer reviews can expose insurance company gamesmanship.
- Persistence pays off: Insurance companies often deny strong claims hoping claimants will give up. Thorough preparation and tenacious advocacy can overcome this strategy.
Looking Forward
Brad’s case represents more than just one victory—it’s a roadmap for other long COVID patients facing insurance denials. By combining objective testing, comprehensive documentation, and strategic legal advocacy, even the most challenging invisible disability cases can be won.