Disney is totally heartless!!!

[minniecarousel]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[diznygirl]

Business or not I find it ludicrous that DIS'ers are actually saying that Disney is somehow OK here. The OP is absolutely correct. These slugs do anything they can to project family values and take every dollar they can from us in the name of family entertainment - but must follow the 'letter of the law' when one of their own has the worst kind of tradgey imaginable.

Shame on you folks defending Disney and shame on Disney.

I've never used this oft misguided phrase before but I will now, Walt must be rolling over in his grave.

There is a difference in being heartless, and just doing what is Standard Operating Procedure. This isn't Disney's policy, this is any life insurance policy.

No, that won't help. Those in her office do not have the training nor the tools to help you find what you need. They'll just be really nice to you and be sympathetic. You don't need that right now.

You need to go to the head of HR, the ones who deal with benefits. Ask about other benefits, tell them what you need as a Disney family. Ask them if there is a fund for this sort of thing. Ask them what others have done in your position. Ask them why it isn't clearly stated that you get less of a monetary amount due to the age of your child dying. Clearly that isn't what you thought you were paying for. Ask the hard questions calmly and in a "I'm really needing this info" manner. Try to not lose your head, as hard as that sounds.

jadynne - Please ask around for whether there is anything like this. Disney is not completely heartless and there have been instances when they have taken care of their own. I'm sorry for your heartbreak.

 

[scrump]

 

[4nana]

I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss and send prayers.
May God grant you strength and hope through this difficult journey and bless your little angel Ethan.

 

[Angelhalo]

I am sorry for your loss but there are parts of the story that are missing. If you have an insurance policy and unless Disney is listed as the beneficiary then you get whatever the value of the policy is, unless Disney is the underwriter for the policy and then it is possible that they only pay out $500. Did you read your policy? If you have a policy through an actual insurance company, Disney can't dictate what that company pays to you unless the policy was written that way. Something is missing here.

I was thinking the same things.

My DH used to work for Disney....he never had any benefits issues.

I'm sorry for your loss OP

 

[Angelhalo]

I'm really not looking to get into a debate on Corporate Responsibility concerning employee benefits on this particular thread. It seems that would be rather heartless, considering that the OP just lost her child.

I'm simply saying that her post makes more sense to me now, being that our insurance obtained through my husband's employer contains similar restrictions. After her clarification, I have a better sense of what she is experiencing.

Again OP, I'm very sorry for your loss.

ITA....not to mention that you never know on a message board, what people are leaving out, or exagerating etc. I always try to examine both sides of the story.

 

[MAF]

I'm sorry but I still fail to see how this is Disney's "fault".

 

[CJBaby]

I'm sorry but I still fail to see how this is Disney's "fault".

I feel very fortunate that I have never lost a child, had to deal with financial issues, and then on top of it be subjected to judgment by an anonymous stranger when I vent on a message board. Unless your last name is "Disney," this is not a personal attack, and you should move on. Why you haven't is what I fail to see.


OP: I am praying for your comfort in this difficult time.

 

[jadynne]

There is a difference in being heartless, and just doing what is Standard Operating Procedure. This isn't Disney's policy, this is any life insurance policy.





jadynne - Please ask around for whether there is anything like this. Disney is not completely heartless and there have been instances when they have taken care of their own. I'm sorry for your heartbreak.

Actually, it is Disney that puts the restriction on the amt not our life insurance provider. We've spoken to them they were willing to pay the entire amt but Disney only authorized them to pay $500.00. We were never told this when we purchased the policy. They also tried not to give my husband fmla coverage, We had to go to the labor board and file a grievance just to get them to follow the law!

 

[jadynne]

Thank you to everyone that expressed their condolences. I just can't believe that such a "family oriented" company would kick someone when they are hurting this badly. I also would like to state that there is no way for me not to take this personally. Any parent would if they were sitting in my shoes. Funeral homes don't make distinctions like this, they charge the same amount whether your child was 1 day old or 1 year old, I think it is despicable of Disney to do this to us, we are hurting enough as it is.

 

[MoniqueU]

I am sorry for your loss. I too have lost a son and it is heartbreaking.

 

[diznygirl]

Actually, it is Disney that puts the restriction on the amt not our life insurance provider. We've spoken to them they were willing to pay the entire amt but Disney only authorized them to pay $500.00. We were never told this when we purchased the policy. They also tried not to give my husband fmla coverage, We had to go to the labor board and file a grievance just to get them to follow the law!

I know when my baby was in the hospital we were denied FMLA because the paperwork had not been filled out - and they were right to do that as frustrating as it was. It's all a blur now, as you can understand, so I'm not sure what else happened. But I urge you to please talk to someone who can give you the information you need. I know you are hurting, but getting a lawyer against Disney is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

 

[SandiH]

How did Disney restrict what the policy paid out? If it was a life insurance policy, then the insurance company and the company agree to the terms before a policy is presented to the employees. Perhaps the insurance company was saying that "yes, those were the terms of the Disney policy." I'm sure other companies have different terms but from the other posters, it seems fairly common that life insurance policies don't pay full amount for an infant. I don't see how Disney selected your situation out and said "Nope, not going to give them the whole amount" as you seem to be implying. If it was any other large company, the policy would probably be the same or similar. All the limitations are written out in the policy. I'm sorry you didn't understand the policy to begin with. I am also very sorry for your loss. What you are going through is unimaginable!

 

[taylor1293]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[douglisa]

Sorry for your loss, Walt is probably rolling in his grave 24/7 with all the stupid stuff they do nowadays!

 

[Chuck S]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you are feeling and having to deal with.

However, almost every life insurance policy has a limited benefits period..it is simply the way insurance works, it is in the fine print of the policy somewhere.

 

[mommy*RN]

What a heartbreaking story! I hope you get time to start the healing process. I don't have any advice for you regarding Disney and all that, but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you and will say a prayer for you, your husband and Ethan tonight.

 

[DisneyDarling89]

Something about your posts just doesn"t add up in my opinon, but I am sorry for your loss.

 

[tinatark]

I'm sorry for your loss, but your (husband's) employer is not responsible for taking care of your baby. It looks like (reading between what you've written and what is usual business operating procedure) your life insurance, provided through the company, offers coverage for dependents - in that rider you will also find "minimum age" requirements. I am sure in the state your emotions had to be in you didn't see that when you signed up, but please check it. If Disney has an employee-funded assistance plan, that seems to be where you should go next.

I know when a friend of ours' daughter died in a house fire several years ago, the mom (and aunt and uncle) worked for Outback - while the corporate (life insurance, etc) benefits weren't great, they did send a full staff to the location the 3 family members worked in so the whole restaurant (small town) could attend Carissa's funeral, and the company nationwide had an employee funded/administered help plan which helped the family financially.

I am sorry you are hurting and it seems you are transferring your grief to the company - hope you resolve the financial part of the situation, and get the closure you need to begin healing.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I think regardless of the fine print of an insurance policy, if your DH has been a faithful and trusted employee, you and your family deserve better treatment. I know that my boss would bend over backwards for me. I cannot stand the big corporate mentality where humans are just numbers and forms. If the insurance company won't pay out then his superiors at Disney should have some sort of fundraiser to help your family. It's basic human decency.