Unum Beats Disability Suit Over Ship Pilot’s Long Covid Symptoms

Unum Life Insurance Co. of America properly denied long-term disability benefits to a ship pilot with symptoms related to Long Covid-19, a Pennsylvania federal judge ruled.

The ship pilot, whose job included navigating commercial vessels on the Delaware River, sought disability benefits on account of symptoms including rapid heart rate, dizziness, vertigo, and fatigue. Judge Mark A. Kearney upheld Unum’s decision to deny benefits Thursday, saying the insurer properly credited the opinions of the pilot’s treating physicians while requiring objective evidence of his functional capacity.

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed by workers seeking benefits on account of Covid-related ailments, ...