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Long Term Disability for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): What You Need to Know

Qualifying for Long Term Disability After a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Info Library

 Clear Information About Long Term Disability Claims

The Info Library is a comprehensive educational resource for people navigating long term disability claims.

Here, you can learn how disability insurers evaluate medical conditions, occupational duties, policy language, medical evidence, appeals, benefit terminations, and litigation. Each guide focuses on a specific issue that may affect your eligibility for benefits or the strength of your claim.

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Diagnoses

A medical diagnosis can have a profound impact on your ability to work, but not every diagnosis is evaluated the same way by disability insurance companies.

Our diagnosis guides explain how specific medical conditions may affect your eligibility for long term disability benefits, the evidence insurers typically look for, and the unique challenges claimants often face throughout the claims process.

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Occupations

Your occupation is one of the most important factors in a long term disability claim. Disability insurance companies evaluate more than just your diagnosis; they assess whether your condition prevents you from performing the material duties of your specific occupation.

Our occupation guides explore the unique demands of different professions and the evidence that can help support a successful disability claim. Whether you are filing an initial claim, appealing a denial, or protecting ongoing benefits, understanding how your occupation is evaluated is essential.

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Insurers

The insurance company handling your long term disability claim can significantly impact your experience throughout the claims process. While every insurer evaluates disability claims differently, each has its own procedures, priorities, and common reasons for delaying, denying, or terminating benefits.

Our insurer guides examine the practices of major disability insurance companies, explain the challenges claimants commonly encounter, and provide insight into the strategies that can help strengthen your claim at every stage.

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Policy Terms

Your disability insurance policy is the foundation of your claim. The language in your policy determines who is eligible for benefits, how disability is defined, what limitations or exclusions may apply, and what evidence you need to provide throughout the claims process.

Our policy guides explain the key provisions found in many long term disability policies and help you understand how your policy can affect your eligibility, benefits, and claim strategy.

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Claim Strategies

Every long term disability claim presents unique challenges, and the steps you take throughout the process can have a significant impact on your ability to obtain and maintain benefits. Understanding how disability insurers evaluate claims can help you make informed decisions from the outset.

Our claim strategy guides cover important topics such as documenting your disability, working with your treating physicians, responding to insurer requests, preparing appeals, and protecting your benefits throughout the life of your claim.

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Litigation Issues

If your long term disability claim cannot be resolved during the administrative claims process, the next step may involve litigation or mediation. Understanding how these proceedings work can help you make informed decisions about your legal options and what to expect as your case moves forward.

Our litigation and mediation guides explain important legal concepts, court procedures, settlement discussions, standards of review, and other issues that may arise after a claim has been denied or terminated.

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Topic

Diagnosis Lyme Disease

Can I Get Long Term Disability for Babesiosis?

Diagnosis - Lyme Disease Diagnosis - Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by a parasite called Babesia that infects red blood cells, leading to anemia and other serious health complications.  Most cases of Babesiosis in the United States occur in the Northeast and Midwest, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. 

Although some people infected with Babesia may be asymptomatic, others may experience a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, chills, sweating, and headaches.  In severe cases, Babesiosis can cause organ damage and even be fatal.  Babesiosis may also occur as co-infection with Lyme disease, leading to more severe and lasting symptoms.

If you are experiencing long-term symptoms due to Babesiosis, you may be eligible to seek long term disability benefits.  Below we’ll discuss common questions about filing a Babesiosis long term disability claim and how an attorney can help.

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Lyme Disease and Long Term Disability: What Evidence Matters

Diagnosis - Lyme Disease Diagnosis - Babesiosis

Can Lyme Disease Be Disabling?

lyme disease symptomsYes, for many people, Lyme disease results in short and/or long term disability.  Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that ranges widely in presentation and severity.  The infection can cause a diverse number of physical and cognitive (i.e., mental) symptoms, which can vary from mild to debilitating.

Lyme Disease can also occur as a co-infection with Babesiosis.  If you suffer from this co-infection, you may experience more severe, chronic symptoms and a longer recovery period.

Whether your Lyme disease is disabling will depend on the nature, frequency, and severity of your symptoms – as well as how they interfere with your ability to work.  In order to get approved for disability benefits, you must be prepared to prove to your long term disability insurance company that your Lyme disease symptoms are disabling.

Below we will address several points you should consider before filing your long term disability claim for Lyme disease.

 

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Lyme Disease Impairs A Sales Trader

Success Stories Sales Trader Diagnosis - Lyme Disease Case Studies

“Todd” was a sales trader at a major investment bank. Todd suffered severe cognitive deficits as a result of Lyme Disease. Todd continued to work as long as he could despite the deficits, but was forced to go out on disability when he made several incorrect trades that cost his employer thousands of dollars. The insurance company denied Todd’s claim, asserting that he submitted insufficient objective evidence of disability.

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Riemer Speaks at Lyme Disease Conference in Boston

News Diagnosis - Lyme Disease

On November 2-4, 2012, The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society held its annual conference in Boston. Mr. Riemer co-hosted a medical legal seminar on the disability process with two other attorneys. Mr. Riemer addressed the who, what, where, why, when and how of disability claims involving Lyme Disease.

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Your Insurer May Try to Characterize Your Physical Disability as a Mental Illness

Mental Illness Limitation Diagnosis - Tinnitus Diagnosis - Lyme Disease Diagnosis - Fibromyalgia Diagnosis - Fatigue Strategy - Limitations and Restrictions Diagnosis - Chronic Pain Diagnosis - Headaches Diagnosis - Cognitive Impairment Diagnosis - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Diagnosis - Babesiosis

People who suffer from a disability causing both physical and mental symptoms can face certain challenges in filing their long term disability claims.  Insurers often try to categorize these claims as strictly "mental" in an  effort to limit liability.  This is because most long term disability policies limit benefits to 12 or 24 months when the disability is caused by a mental illness. Under these provisions, benefits will stop after one or two years even if you remain totally disabled.
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