A chiropractor alleges his insurance company refuses to pay him disability, despite his inability to work due to a shoulder injury.
Christopher S. Worth filed a lawsuit Feb. 21 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
According to the complaint, Worth was working as a chiropractor when he began to experience right shoulder pain in November 2011. At the time, Worth had an insurance policy through defendant, which was supposed to cover him in the event of disability, according to the complaint.
MetLife determined Worth was unable to work and paid him disability benefits from June 7, 2012, through April 30, 2013, the suit states. During that period of time, Worth underwent shoulder surgery on Aug. 28, 2012. Following the surgery, however, he still had shoulder pain and was unable to work, the complaint says.
Despite Worth’s continued inability to work, MetLife stopped paying him on May 1 and began charging him premium payments, he claims.
Worth is seeking a judgment of at least $21,000 for total disability benefits, plus $1,455.60 for premiums he paid from May 1 through Dec. 1, interest, attorneys’ fees and other relief the court deems just.
He is being represented by Robert W. Schmieder of SL Chapman in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-166.