For nearly two decades, Miguel worked as a senior engineer at a large manufacturing plant in southeastern Virginia. His job demanded precision, technical expertise, and sound judgment. Whether troubleshooting complex production lines or mentoring younger engineers, he built a reputation as the person colleagues called when the toughest problems needed solving.
Like many employees, Miguel paid into his employer-sponsored long-term disability coverage through Unum, believing that if illness ever prevented him from working, the coverage he’d invested in would be there when he needed it. When Parkinson’s disease forced him to leave the career he loved, that promise was put to the test.
Case Snapshot
- Occupation: Senior Engineer
- Insurance Company: Unum
- State: Virginia
- Medical Condition: Parkinson’s Disease
- Claim Type: ERISA Long-Term Disability Appeal
- Outcome: Unum reversed its denial, reinstated monthly benefits, and paid back benefits.
When Parkinson’s Disease Changed Everything
The first symptoms were subtle.
His handwriting changed. His hands began to tremble. Fatigue lingered no matter how much he rested.
Eventually, Miguel was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that gradually affected the fine motor control, endurance, balance, and concentration his job required every day.
By late 2024, he could no longer safely perform the essential duties of a senior engineer. His employer ultimately separated him because it could not accommodate his medical limitations.
Unum initially approved Miguel’s long-term disability claim.
Then it changed course.
Unum Denied His Long-Term Disability Claim
Despite Miguel’s progressive diagnosis, Unum determined he was no longer disabled under the terms of the policy.
The insurance company relied primarily on the opinion of a reviewing neurologist who never examined him. Based solely on a paper review of his medical records, the physician concluded Miguel could return to work.
That conclusion ignored the consistent findings of Miguel’s treating neurologist, physical therapy records documenting his functional decline, and the reality that his employer had already determined he could no longer safely perform his job.
For someone living with Parkinson’s disease—a condition that becomes more challenging over time—the suggestion that he had recovered enough to return to precision engineering simply wasn’t supported by the medical evidence.
How BenGlassLaw Built the Appeal
Miguel was referred to BenGlassLaw by a local social security disability lawyer.
Attorney Damon Miller carefully reviewed Unum’s claim file and identified significant weaknesses in the insurance company’s paper review.
Our team then built a comprehensive administrative record designed to address every issue raised in the denial.
We obtained a detailed rebuttal letter from Miguel’s treating neurologist responding point-by-point to the reviewing physician’s conclusions. Updated medical records documented the progression of his Parkinson’s disease, while records from his Parkinson’s-specific physical therapy boxing program demonstrated his ongoing balance, endurance, and mobility limitations.
An in-person Functional Capacity Evaluation objectively measured the hand function, balance, and endurance deficits Unum claimed had not been established.
The appeal also included Miguel’s symptom journal documenting his daily struggles with fatigue and cognitive difficulties, statements from his wife and adult children describing how Parkinson’s had affected his daily life, documentation from his employer explaining why he could no longer perform the duties of his position, and a detailed personal statement describing the real-world impact of his condition.
The completed ERISA administrative appeal was submitted to Unum’s Appeals Unit well before the May 1, 2026 deadline.
The Outcome
On May 18, 2026, Unum reversed its denial.
Miguel’s long-term disability benefits were reinstated, his past-due benefits were paid, and his monthly disability payments resumed through the policy’s maximum benefit period ending in May 2028.
More importantly, the successful appeal confirmed what Miguel, his family, and his treating physicians had known all along: Parkinson’s disease prevented him from performing the material duties of his own occupation.
Instead of continuing to battle with the insurance company while managing a progressive neurological condition, Miguel could focus on his treatment, his rehabilitation, and spending time with the people who mattered most.
We Help People Across Virginia and Nationwide Appeal Long-Term Disability Denials
BenGlassLaw is based in Fairfax, Virginia, and represents clients throughout Virginia and across the United States in ERISA long-term disability appeals.
Because most employer-sponsored long-term disability policies are governed by ERISA, we regularly help individuals build comprehensive administrative appeals before litigation becomes necessary.
If Unum or another insurance company has denied your long-term disability claim, remember that a denial is not always the final word. A well-prepared ERISA appeal can make all the difference in protecting the benefits you’ve earned. Upload your denial letter here for a FREE denial letter review by our experienced team, or contact us today to learn if we can help.