Legal Updates

We have noted higher denial rates for disability claims from clients who suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.  In order to combat these denials it is important to understand why insurance companies deny these claims.  Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue - though two separate diagnoses - have several similarities.  The medical community has not yet come up with any objective testing to confirm the diagnosis of either condition.  They are diagnosed based on the subjective symptomology and the exclusion of other possible explanations for the symptomology.  The overriding symptoms are joint and muscle pain and incapacitating fatigue often referred to as [...]

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain.  Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials.  In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues.  The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself, causing inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body. Lupus can cause unique problems in proving that one is disabled from returning to full time work.  [...]

A multiple sclerosis "flare" is a sudden worsening of one or more symptoms of the disease or the appearance of new symptoms which can last anywhere from days to weeks to months.  These exacerbations although temporary can be disabling, precluding a patient from gainful employment. Many clients who apply for disability benefits may be observed by an insurance company during a period when a patient is not experiencing a MS "flare."  However, since these "flares" can occur as frequently as once a month, a worker may be precluded from continuous gainful employment because the worsening or new symptoms frequently causes a [...]

In addition to the very obvious physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis, such as loss of muscle function, problems with walking, vision disturbances, tremors, etc., there is a more debilitating symptom that often goes unnoticed - that of cognitive dysfunction.  This is separate and apart from the symptoms of fatigue and depression which also plague the MS patient. Common Disabling Conditions of Cognitive Dysfunction slowed speed of performance ability to retrieve memory affected reduced ability to recall words slowness in thinking impaired planning skills All of these non-physical impairments are not easily observable but have the most detrimental affect on being able to [...]

You receive a letter from your insurance company advising you that your disability claim is denied or terminated.   After the initial shock wears off, here are the steps you should take to obtain your disability benefits. Step 1 – Do not request an appeal before you collect all necessary paperwork for your claim. All too often, one’s first reaction is to write their insurance provider telling them they have made a mistake and asking them to reconsider your claim.  While you will eventually speak to your insurance provider about your claim denial, you must first take these additional steps. [...]

Facebook, Twitter, My Space, etc. (collectively referred to as social media sites) are popular with people of all age groups. Long term disability insurance companies and their attorneys use these sites also, to get information about YOU. There may be valuable information about you on these sites that could severely damage your long term disability claim. […]