Lincoln Insurance Company Denials Lawyer

We Fight For You When Lincoln Gets It Wrong

Lincoln disability claims often turn on the policy language, the medical record, and the way Lincoln evaluates a claimant’s ability to work. In some cases, the dispute is over the definition of disability. In others, the problem is whether Lincoln gave proper weight to treating providers, relied too heavily on paper reviews, or selectively read the file.

At Eric Buchanan & Associates, we represent claimants whose long term disability and insurance benefits have been denied or terminated by Lincoln. We know these cases are rarely about just one doctor’s note or one job description. They often come down to how the claim was framed, what evidence Lincoln emphasized, what it minimized, and whether the review process was fair from the beginning.

Documented History Of Lincoln Claim Practices

Selective File Review

Lincoln disability decisions can turn on how the file is read. A claim may be denied even when the record documents ongoing pain, functional limits, and consistent treating provider support. When that happens, the dispute is often not whether the claimant has medical problems, but whether Lincoln evaluated the evidence fairly.

Judicial Review of Lincoln Claim Decisions

Judicial decisions have examined whether Lincoln’s disability determinations were supported by the administrative record and whether its review of the medical evidence was reasonable under ERISA standards.

Policy Language and Disability Standards

Courts have addressed how Lincoln interpreted policy definitions of disability, including whether the medical and vocational evidence supported the claimant’s inability to perform the duties of the occupation at issue.

Our Successful Cases Against Lincoln Insurance Company

Edwards v. Lincoln National Life Insurance Company

In Edwards v. Lincoln Nat. Life Ins. Co. (2012), the court reversed the insurer’s denial of long-term disability benefits, ruling that Lincoln National acted arbitrarily and capriciously by favoring “paper reviews” from its own consultants over the consistent findings of treating physicians. The court emphasized that while ERISA does not mandate a “treating physician preference,” administrators must view opinions from their own paid consultants with skepticism, especially when those consultants fail to physically examine the claimant or consult with treating doctors. Furthermore, the court rejected the insurer’s demand for objective clinical evidence to quantify the claimant’s pain, noting that pain often “evades detection by objective means” and that, under Sixth Circuit precedent, medical evidence of a diagnosis and corroborative reports from treating physicians are sufficient to establish disability for conditions characterized by subjective symptoms.

Kinsler v. Lincoln National Life Insurance Company

In Kinsler v. Lincoln Nat’l Life Ins. Co., 660 F. Supp. 2d 830 (M.D. Tenn. 2009), the court addressed whether an ERISA plaintiff is entitled to discovery regarding potential bias when a plan administrator both evaluates and pays benefit claims. The defendant argued that discovery was barred unless the plaintiff first provided a threshold showing of actual bias or procedural irregularity; however, the court rejected this restrictive view. Relying on Sixth Circuit precedent and the Supreme Court’s decision in Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, the court held that an allegation of an inherent conflict of interest—specifically when the same entity determines and pays claims—is sufficient to permit limited discovery. Consequently, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion, compelling the defendant to respond to interrogatories and document requests concerning incentive systems and the frequency of case reviews to ensure a fair resolution of the procedural challenge.

Lincoln’s Claim Practices and Legal History

Lincoln disability claims can involve disputes over how medical evidence is evaluated, especially when the claimant’s condition does not lend itself to straightforward objective testing. In those cases, the issue is often not whether the claimant has documented symptoms, but whether Lincoln fairly considered the nature of the condition, the treating physicians’ opinions, and the practical effect of those limitations on the claimant’s ability to work.

Cases like Edwards matter because they show how courts examine Lincoln’s reasoning when a denial rests too heavily on the absence of objective proof for conditions that are often established through clinical evaluation, symptom history, and consistent treating provider support. They also show why it is important to build a record that connects the medical evidence to the policy’s definition of disability in a clear and persuasive way.

Why Prudential’s Claim Practices Matter to Your Case

Lincoln disability claims can rise or fall based on how the insurer reads the medical record, applies the policy language, and evaluates a claimant’s functional limitations. These cases matter because they show how courts respond when the insurer’s reasoning does not match the evidence, and why a strong administrative record is critical from the start.

See Our Happy Client Reviews

Matt

Overall, I have had a great experience with Eric Buchanan & Associates. They were successful in securing approvals for both my short-term and long-term disability claims. I am deeply grateful for their continued dedication and support.

Jim Schwartz

Kaci did a wonderful job defending me during my case !!!!!

Shannon Morin

Kaci Garrabrand and her team deserve all of the stars in the universe for the work they've done on my disability insurance claim case. Anytime I had a concern, question or wanted to check in multiple times a day on something, they were there for me. They should be commended for their responsiveness to my questions, for consistently giving me clear explanations of the process, and providing regular updates on case progress. Kaci successfully won back my disability benefits more than once, and secured my future benefits that were initially denied. She became one of the most influential people in my life. Kaci's legal success in turn gave me back my sense of security, pride, safety and peace of mind. Kaci's willingness to listen to my concerns, and tailor her approach to my specific situation show how her knowledge and experience in this particular legal area was a game changer for me. I couldn't be more grateful to Eric Buchanan & Associates.

Don Risucci

My experience with Buchanan & Associates was nothing but outstanding from the vey first phone call I made to discuss my case to the final outcome, which exceeded my expectations. In particular, my attorney Kaci Garrabrand, was extremely knowledgeable, experienced, skilled and compassionate. At every step in the process, her communication and advice were exceptional. She and her paralegal, Ren Orlic, were always accessible and responsive and handled every detail with care and professionalism. I always felt confident that I had a strong partner representing me and that a positive outcome would be achieved. I could not be happier with the experience I had with this firm and I highly recommend them to anyone dealing with employment and disability related issues. I am extremely grateful for their help

mark lemons

Eric Buchanan and Associates did a great job resolving my case.

Yolanda King

The Eric B and associates firm has been such a pleasure to work with. From the first time I called their office, I felt hopeful, at ease, but more importantly, I felt heard. They've exceeded all of my expectations while representing me on my Disability case. They were extremely passionate about my case and have treated me with respect, dignity, and compassion at all times. They were quick to answer any questions or concerns that I had about my case. They responded quickly to phone calls /emails. I couldn't have asked for a better team of attorneys. I would like to personally Thank Ms Kaci and her entire team for going above and beyond to ensure that my experience was nothing less than 5 star. They are extremely professional and knowledgeable. If you should ever have a need to hire a Disability attorney to handle your case, I highly recommend that you consider the team at Eric Buchanan and Associates. I'm certainly glad that I did.

Raymond Jones

Great experience working with these guys.

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Financial Pressure on Claim Decision Makers

When an insurer both evaluates disability claims and pays benefits from its own funds, there is an inherent financial conflict in the decision making process. That does not automatically mean every denial is improper, but it does mean courts may look carefully at whether the review was fair, reasoned, and consistent with the record. That concern has appeared in litigation involving Lincoln disability claims. Courts may allow discovery into Lincoln’s potential conflict of interest, recognizing that the structure of the claim process itself can be relevant when a claimant
challenges the fairness of a denial.

How We Approach Lincoln Disability Claims

We start with the policy language and the reason for the denial. Lincoln disability cases often turn on definitions, how occupational duties are framed, what medical proof Lincoln says is required, and whether the administrative record actually supports the conclusion it reached. We compare the denial to the policy terms, the medical evidence, and the claimant’s real functional limitations to identify where the decision breaks down.

From there, we focus on building the record in a way that addresses the issues Lincoln is likely to raise. That may include clarifying restrictions from treating providers, strengthening proof of how symptoms affect day to day work capacity, addressing file reviews or vocational assumptions, and making sure the appeal directly answers the rationale Lincoln relied on. Our goal is to present a clear, policy based record that gives the claim the strongest possible position on appeal and, if necessary, in court.

Our Role As Advocates

Eric Buchanan & Associates helps people challenge Lincoln disability denials by building strong administrative records and presenting clear, policy based arguments that tell your story loud and clear. We focus on the details these cases often turn on, including the exact definition of disability, the medical support needed to prove functional loss, and the occupational evidence that shows what the claimant’s work actually required.

We also work to protect the claim from the common issues that can weaken an ERISA case, including vague physician statements, incomplete records, unsupported vocational assumptions, and insurer arguments that do not match the policy language or the medical evidence. Our goal is to make the record clear enough that Lincoln cannot deny the claim by isolating a few notes, relying on paper reviews alone, or applying the wrong standard.

If Lincoln upholds the denial after appeal, we are prepared to take the case to federal court and pursue the benefits our client is owed.

Contact Us Today!

You don’t have to deal with the insurance company alone. If your claim was denied, delayed, or handled unfairly, our team is ready to review your case and help you
understand your next steps. Call: (877) 634-2506

Protecting You Every Step Of The Way