Beyond disability: Unum’s support helps employee find new job

March 31, 2016

Lisa Goin was resigned to the fact that her arm simply wasn’t going to get better. In 2012, Goin injured her wrist and forearm at work and it left her in constant pain and unable to grasp objects.

Goin attempted lighter-duty work, but her pain continued to get worse and she eventually had to stop working and go on long term disability leave.

“After months of being misdiagnosed and being told there’s nothing wrong with my arm, my benefit administrator recommended I get a second medical opinion,” said Goin. “My new doctor found a significant tear in my forearm, and because it had not been immobilized it hadn’t healed.”

Goin’s arm was placed in a cast, followed by eight weeks of occupational therapy. But her pain continued.

To get a better understanding of her injury and why it wasn’t healing, Goin had an independent medical exam by a hand specialist who said the tendon was torn completely from the bone and needed to be surgically repaired. She had two surgical procedures in 2014 and is finally feeling relief.

Without my long term disability benefits from Unum, I would have been bad off,” she said. “Not having an income would have put a tremendous strain on my family and marriage. We used that money to pay the mortgage and other bills, to buy my three kids their school clothes and books.”

When Goin had recovered enough to return to work, a vocational rehabilitation specialist helped her find a new job.

“I got help turning my past employment into an awesome resume,” Goin said. “She really helped me figure out which jobs I could apply for and kept me focused on things I could really physically do. She was so funny, we got along so well, but she was also stern and realistic about what I was going to be able to do, which I really appreciated.”

Goin got a new job, and today she’s focused on moving up the career ladder.

“It’s great my company offered long term disability benefits to their employees, because my family had no one else to turn to,” Goin said. “It’s an amazing benefit to offer.”

About the Author

Brian Baker
Manager, Corporate Communications, Unum

Brian has been in the communications business for more than 15 years, getting his feet wet in the Big Apple before returning to his Southern roots. From buying media for AT&T to running traditional public relations campaigns for Mayfield Milk, he’s worked with brands with vastly different audiences and stories to tell. As a corporate communications manager for Unum and contributor of WorkWell, he gets to inform consumers on the importance of voluntary benefits and share ideas for improving their work productivity and tips for living a healthier lifestyle.

Away from work, Brian spends as much time as he can with his family. When he’s not watching his kids play sports, helping with homework or supporting his wife's racing on the USA Paratriathlon Team, he enjoys running and cycling in beautiful Chattanooga.