Many long term disability claims are won or lost based on how your insurance company defines your occupation. An insurer may agree that you have a serious medical condition but still deny benefits if it believes you can continue performing the duties of your occupation.
One of the most common problems we see is that insurance companies oversimplify what our clients actually do for a living. A surgeon may be evaluated as a generic physician. A trial attorney may be evaluated as a generic lawyer. A CEO may be evaluated as a generic manager. These distinctions matter because long term disability benefits often depend on whether you can perform the material duties of the specific occupation you were performing when you became disabled.
Most disability insurance policies use an "own occupation" definition of disability for at least part of the claim period. Under this definition, your insurance company must evaluate the actual duties of your occupation rather than merely your job title. For many professionals, executives, and specialists, a proper occupational analysis can be critical to obtaining and maintaining benefits.
Disputes about occupational duties frequently arise in disability claims. Insurance companies often rely on generic occupational descriptions or fail to consider specialized responsibilities, leadership duties, travel requirements, cognitive demands, or fine motor skills. In these situations, vocational evidence may be necessary to establish the true demands of your occupation and demonstrate why your medical condition prevents you from performing them.
If you are a professional or executive seeking disability benefits, you may find our Long Term Disability FAQ for Professionals and Executives helpful. You can also learn more about how occupational and vocational assessments are used to evaluate occupational duties in long term disability claims.
Below, you can learn more about the occupational demands and disability considerations associated with a variety of medical, financial, executive, professional, technical, and academic occupations.
Anesthesiology is a highly specialized medical profession that requires exceptional attention to detail, sustained concentration, and the ability to respond immediately to life-threatening situations. Anesthesiologists are responsible for administering anesthesia, monitoring patients throughout surgical procedures, and managing pain before, during, and after treatment.
The occupation requires prolonged standing, frequent use of the hands, and the ability to review and interpret complex medical data in real time. Anesthesiologists also often work long, irregular hours and may be required to remain on-call to respond to emergencies.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve maintaining constant vigilance, performing precise manual tasks, making rapid clinical decisions, and handling the physical demands of long procedures. Even relatively mild cognitive impairments, fatigue, tremors, or vision problems may prevent an anesthesiologist from safely performing the occupation.
Learn more about Anesthesiologists and Disability
Dentists need to be able to make precise and coordinated movements of their fingers. They need to be able to manipulate and assemble small objects while bending over and wearing gloves. They need to be able to be on their feet much of the day, as well as pull, push, reach and handle. They also must be able to communicate with patients and concentrate throughout the day.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve the standing, leaning, and fine motor control requirements. Even an injury to a single finger could make a dentist unable to perform the duties of the occupation.
Learn more about Dentists and Disability
Being a doctor can be physically demanding. Doctors come in many specialties. For disability purposes, most disability policies will treat your specialty as your own occupation. For example, if you are a cardiologist at the time of disability, then your own occupation is that of a cardiologist.
The various medical specialties have a wide range of functional requirements. These usually are classified as either "sedentary" or "light" under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. For example, surgeons must be able to constantly use their hands, and must be able to stand throughout the day. By contrast, radiologists must review films and computer screens much of the day.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve standing, walking, long and irregular hours, high stress, and high cognitive demands. Doctors often are "on-call," which require them to be available overnight and on weekends.
Learn more about Doctors and Disability
Pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the correct medications and understand how to use them safely. The occupation requires a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and knowledge of complex drug interactions and treatment protocols.
Most pharmacists spend a significant portion of the workday standing, walking, and interacting with patients and healthcare providers. They also must review prescriptions, verify dosages, identify potential medication conflicts, and maintain detailed records.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged standing, repetitive hand use, sustained concentration, and the need to avoid errors that could have serious consequences for patient safety. Conditions that affect cognition, concentration, mobility, vision, or manual dexterity may make it difficult to continue working as a pharmacist.
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Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health conditions through patient evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy. Although the occupation is generally performed in an office setting, it requires substantial cognitive functioning, concentration, communication skills, and emotional stamina.
Psychiatrists must listen carefully to patients, analyze complex information, maintain detailed records, and make important treatment decisions. The occupation also often involves managing patients in crisis and handling emotionally demanding situations.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged sitting, intensive cognitive demands, sustained concentration, and effective communication. Cognitive impairments, fatigue, mental health conditions, or neurological symptoms may significantly interfere with a psychiatrist's ability to safely and effectively practice.
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A surgeon's work requires an incredibly high degree of precision and the uncompromisingly sustained concentration. The work also can be physically demanding beyond use of the hands. Surgeons must maintain certain postural position and perform certain physical tasks in the event of patient medical emergencies.
Surgeons come in many specialties. For disability purposes, many disability policies will treat your surgical specialty as your own occupation. For example, if you are a fetal surgeon at the time of disability, then your own occupation is that of a fetal surgeon.
The disability challenges of the occupation, regardless of specialty, always involve: high dexterity/precision; the ability to manipulate surgical tools; standing/walking; sustaining certain postures; acting in the event of a medical emergency; long and irregular hours; high stress; and high cognitive demands. Some surgeons also must work "on-call," which require them to be available overnight and on weekends to address medical emergencies.
An inability to perform just one of these demanding requirements can result in disability. However, the insurance companies often downplay the demanding nature of surgeons' work in order to support denial of benefits. The insurers are heavily incentivized to do so, given that most surgeons' monthly long term disability benefit is relatively high.
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CEOs frequently work long hours, attend meetings, review financial and operational information, and travel for business purposes. They are often responsible for major decisions affecting employees, investors, customers, and organizational growth.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve high levels of stress, extensive cognitive demands, prolonged sitting, frequent travel, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Conditions that affect concentration, memory, executive functioning, stamina, or mobility may interfere with the ability to perform the occupation.
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Corporate consultants advise businesses on strategy, operations, compliance, technology, finance, and other specialized areas. The occupation requires extensive problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills, and the ability to analyze large amounts of information.
Consultants often spend significant time meeting with clients, preparing reports, traveling, and presenting recommendations. Depending on the role, frequent travel and extended work hours may be required.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged sitting, frequent computer use, travel requirements, demanding deadlines, and high cognitive demands. Physical limitations, fatigue, or cognitive impairments may prevent a consultant from performing essential occupational duties.
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Managers work primarily in an office environment. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles classifies the occupation as "sedentary." The occupation can be classified as "light" if the occupation requires frequent out-of-town travel.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged sitting, frequent use of a computer, long hours, tight deadlines, and cognitive demands. The most common disabilities are ones that restrict sitting, cause fatigue, or cause cognitive deficits.
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Marketing executives develop and oversee marketing strategies designed to promote products, services, and brands. The occupation requires creativity, analytical thinking, leadership, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Marketing executives often spend their time reviewing data, developing campaigns, meeting with clients or internal teams, and analyzing market trends. The role may also require travel, public presentations, and participation in industry events.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged computer use, demanding deadlines, high stress, and significant cognitive demands. Conditions affecting concentration, communication, stamina, or executive functioning may impair the ability to perform the occupation.
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Sales roles, including sales agents, work under a lot of quotas and competitive-driven pressures. They also perform a number of highly demanding physical functions. Indeed, this typically is not a desk job. Sales agents are generally classified as "light" under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
Sales agents usually must travel throughout their designated territory to sell products or services. They also must be capable of carrying samples and sales materials for current and prospective customers to inspect. If you cannot perform these functions, you may have a viable claim.
However, they also perform functions that require sitting at a desk. For example, a sales agent must review orders, call current and prospective clients, track data on sales, and complete paperwork on accounts. An inability to perform these functions also may be disabling.
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Accountants are the backbone of American business. Without them, businesses could not do their finances or their taxes.
Accountants prepare tax returns and financial reports. They also review and audit the finances of businesses. The occupation is mostly sedentary requiring approximately 6 hours of sitting and 2 hours of standing/walking each work day. The occupation requires a high degree of concentration and mathematical ability.
The accounting profession has several specialties that could be considered as "occupations" for disability purposes. Among them are accountants who are tax accountants, auditors, and consultants. If you are one of these specialists, the insurer will need to consider whether you are disabled from your specialty, rather than as a generic accountant.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve the significant sitting requirement and the very high degree of attention and concentration required throughout the work day.
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Financial managers oversee an organization's financial health by preparing reports, analyzing data, managing budgets, and developing financial strategies. The occupation requires advanced analytical skills, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of financial regulations and reporting requirements.
Most financial managers work in office environments and spend significant time reviewing financial information, preparing presentations, and meeting with executives and stakeholders. The role often involves long hours, particularly during reporting periods and major financial transactions.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged sitting, extensive computer use, high levels of responsibility, and substantial cognitive demands. Conditions affecting concentration, memory, analytical abilities, or stamina may interfere with the ability to perform the occupation.
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Investment Banking is a very demanding occupation that requires long hours, frequent travel, and high stress. It usually is classified as a "light" occupation under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
Investment bankers also perform high-level cognitive demands. For example, they must have exceptional attention to detail, the ability to analyze complex financial information, and the ability to call upon in-depth regulatory knowledge for compliance purposes.
Therefore, this occupation may face a number of disability challenges with respect to an inability to sit for prolonged periods and an inability to perform high-level cognitive functions.
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Some traders work on trading floors, while others work in offices. If the trader works on the floor (e.g., at the New York Stock Exchange), the job is typically classified as "light." If the trader works in an office setting, the job is typically classified as "sedentary." This can make a big difference if your disability stems from a physical impairment. The floor trader may have an easier time proving disability than the desk trader.
The occupation is very demanding and stressful. It requires long hours, quick reaction time, and in-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance in the financial industry. Another common requirement is entertaining clients at night. This could be particularly problematic for individuals with fatigue or dietary restrictions.
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Data scientists use statistical methods, programming, and advanced analytical techniques to identify trends and solve complex business problems. The occupation requires a high degree of concentration, technical expertise, and the ability to interpret large volumes of information.
Data scientists typically spend most of the workday at a computer analyzing data, building models, and communicating findings to stakeholders. The occupation often requires sustained focus and the ability to manage detailed and technically complex projects.
The disability challenges of the occupation involve prolonged sitting, extensive computer use, and exceptionally high cognitive demands. Cognitive impairments, vision problems, chronic pain, or conditions that interfere with concentration may significantly impact the ability to perform the occupation.
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Engineers work in many different environments, sectors, and areas of expertise. Although the cognitive demands are always high, the physical demands of an engineer can vary drastically depending on the specific nature of your work.
For example, if you are a software engineer, then your occupation requires you to work at a computer desk for most of the day. By contrast, if you are a structural engineer, then your occupation requires you to conduct site visits and inspections.
Because engineers exist in so many different capacities, the long term disability insurance companies often fail to consider all relevant occupational demands. Even worse, the insurance companies often mislabel the occupation, entirely. These challenges can only be met by educating the insurer about your specific occupational duties as an engineer, and thoroughly explaining why you cannot meet such demands.
Lawyers are an occupation near and dear to our hearts. Like doctors, lawyers have many specialties. Lawyers are usually classified as either "sedentary" or "light" under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
Most disability policies will treat your specialty as your own occupation. If you are a trial attorney at the time of disability, then your own occupation is that of a trial attorney.
The occupation is usually very demanding in that it requires long hours at a desk, high stress, and high cognitive demands.
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Physically, the occupation typically requires time at a desk, but also requires substantial time standing/walking while lecturing, coordinating with others, and possibly traveling. The ability to safely navigate throughout a campus also may be an occupational requirement. Professors usually are classified as "light" under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
The cognitive work demands for professors are very high. Even a relatively slight cognitive impairment may be disabling.
Learn more about Professors and Disability