About Unum
Unum is one of the largest group disability insurance providers in the United States, covering millions of workers through employer-sponsored plans across virtually every industry. It also issues individual disability insurance policies and short-term disability coverage. Unum's size and market presence means that a significant share of disability claims filed in Washington and Oregon — from healthcare workers to corporate professionals to manufacturing employees — involve Unum policies. In 2005, Unum entered into a landmark multi-state settlement with regulators in all 50 states related to its claims handling practices, agreeing to change how it reviewed and paid claims. It has continued to face scrutiny and litigation since.
How Unum Denies Disability Claims
Unum denies and terminates disability claims using a range of strategies that disability attorneys across the country recognize and challenge regularly. Common tactics in Unum disability denials include:
- Paper-only medical reviews conducted by physicians who never examine the claimant
- Independent medical examinations designed to minimize or contradict treating physician findings
- Surveillance and social media monitoring used to challenge the severity of claimed limitations
- Applying the any-occupation definition prematurely or too broadly to terminate benefits
- Citing pre-existing condition exclusions without proper policy analysis
- Requesting excessive or repetitive documentation to delay and frustrate claimants
- Relying on vocational reviews that identify unrealistic job alternatives
If you received a Unum denial letter and the reasoning does not reflect the reality of your condition, that is not unusual. It is, however, something worth challenging — and the sooner you do, the more options you have.
How Cowell Law Fights Unum Disability Denials
Cowell Law reviews Unum denials with a focus on the specific arguments Unum has made and what the policy language actually requires. We request your complete claim file from Unum — which you are entitled to under ERISA — and use it to identify where the insurer's reasoning breaks down. We then build a targeted appeal that addresses each denial reason with organized medical evidence, physician statements, and legal analysis of the applicable policy language.
We handle Unum appeals for ERISA group plans, individually owned Unum disability policies, and short-term disability disputes. If your appeal is denied, we are prepared to take your case to federal court. Unum knows how to defend its decisions in litigation — and so do we.
Our Claim Clarity Process™
- Schedule a Clarity Call — We review your policy, your denial, and your situation and explain what your options are.
- Build Your Strategy — We analyze the policy language, gather supporting documentation, and prepare a targeted response to the insurer.
- Move Forward — Whether through appeal, negotiation, or litigation, we represent you through every stage until your case is resolved.
Individual disability insurance cases require a different approach than some claims — and we have the experience to navigate that distinction on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Unum deny so many disability claims?
Unum, like all disability insurers, operates with a financial incentive to minimize payouts. As a company that both funds claims and determines eligibility — a structural conflict of interest recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court — it applies aggressive review practices to identify grounds for denial. The volume of denials Unum issues has made it one of the most litigated disability carriers in the country.
Can I appeal a Unum denial on my own?
You have the right to appeal without an attorney, but doing so carries real risk. Under ERISA, courts generally review only the administrative record built during the claims and appeals process. An attorney helps you ensure that record is complete, accurate, and positioned correctly before you submit your appeal — which matters enormously if litigation follows.
What if Unum denied my claim more than once?
If you have exhausted Unum's internal appeals process, you may have the right to file a lawsuit. The timeline for doing so depends on your policy and plan documents. Contact Cowell Law as soon as your final appeal is denied — deadlines to file apply and missing them can eliminate your right to sue.
See other insurance companies that we litigate against: Unum, The Hartford, Lincoln Financial Group, The Standard (Standard Insurance Company), Cigna (Life Insurance Company of North America), MetLife, Principal Financial Group, Mutual of Omaha, Sun Life Financial, Northwestern Mutual