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    How Different Occupations Impact Long-Term Disability Claims

    How Different Occupations Impact Long-Term Disability Claims

    Long-term disability (LTD) insurance can cover a percentage of your pre-disability earnings when you cannot work for an extended period due to a medical condition or injury. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to convince insurers that your conditions prevent you from fulfilling the duties of your occupation.

    Your profession may be a factor when it comes to proving your entitlement to long-term disability benefits, either because the job requires certain unique skills or because the role is commonly associated with specific health challenges. This article will explore how different occupations may affect the outcome of a long-term disability claim.

    CCK Law will explain:

    • The definition of disability
    • General factors affecting LTD claims across different occupations
    • Challenges and risks from different professions that could impact a long-term disability claim
    • Professionals who may need LTD benefits
    • And more
    Who We Are: Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick is a leading public interest law firm based in Providence, Rhode Island. Since 1999, we have been helping long-term disability claimants across the United States receive the benefits they need through educational materials and vigorous advocacy.

    What Is the Definition of Disability?

    One of the premier components of a long-term disability claim—regardless of profession—is the definition of disability. All long-term disability insurance policies contain one, and it is vital that individuals understand what it means and how it can impact their claims.

    Definition of Disability in Long-Term Disability Policies Explained

    There are two types of definitions of disability that an LTD claimant may typically find in their policy. They are commonly known as “own occupation” or “any occupation” definitions, though some policies may label them differently.

    Often, LTD policies provide that a claimant must meet the “own occupation” definition initially but then must meet the “any occupation” definition after a specified period of time, in order to continue receiving benefits.

    These definitions can be understood as follows:

    • Own Occupation: considers the job the claimant had at the time they became disabled (typically how it is performed in the national economy), and examines whether the claimant is capable of performing the duties of that job. Often, this definition is easier for claimants to prove that they meet.
    • Any Occupation: considers any job at all that the claimant is qualified for, regardless of its similarity to the claimant’s current position, and examines whether the claimant is capable of performing the duties of those other occupations.

    Now, some any occupation definitions also include what is known as a “gainful component” that can sometimes make the definition easier to meet. The gainful component provides that if the claimant cannot perform an occupation that they are reasonably qualified for and that pays a certain percentage of their pre-disability earnings (usually around 60 percent), then they can receive benefits.

    Some any occupation definitions also include what is known as a “gainful component.” This gainful component stipulates that:

    • If the claimant cannot perform an occupation that they are reasonably qualified for, and
    • That pays a certain percentage of their pre-disability earnings (usually around 60 percent), then
    • They can receive benefits.

    All long-term disability claimants must prove to their insurers that they are disabled under the definition present in their policy to receive LTD benefits. For more information on the definition of disability, you can read our article on the subject.

    An example of an occupation impacted by the definition of disability: If a doctor has an own occupation policy, they may be eligible for benefits due to a medical condition that only interferes with a handful of highly specific duties. But if the doctor has a policy with an any occupation definition, and the doctor can still perform the duties of a different sedentary job, then the insurance company may deny their claim.

    What Are the Components of an Occupation and Why Does It Matter?

    Given that LTD policies typically define disability based on a claimant’s ability to perform either their own or another occupation, it is important to understand what the components of an occupation are.

    Insurance companies typically use the O*Net Database to define what the duties of an occupation are. In the past—and even in some cases today—they would use the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, or DOT. In many cases, insurers also look at how a job is performed in the national economy, not at a specific employer.

    However, whether an insurance company uses the O*Net Database or the DOT, these resources do not tell the whole story of an occupation. Often, the descriptions are outdated or lacking in depth. Moreover, they often do not consider many other duties that a person has in their position.

    Nonetheless, all occupations have certain components, namely, the physical and the cognitive duties a person must complete. If a medical condition prevents them from carrying out these duties, then they may be eligible for long-term disability benefits.

    Physical Demands of a Job

    The physical demands of a job can vary widely. Industry, job function, and workplace conditions all play a role. Nonetheless, the ability to perform these duties can affect an individual’s eligibility for LTD benefits.

    Sedentary Work and Long-Term Disability

    The physical demands of a job refer to the physical tasks that are required to carry out the job’s duties. Common physical duties include:

    • Amount of time spent sitting, standing, or walking during a typical workday
    • Weight that must be lifted or carried
    • Use of hands for fine manipulation
    • Requirement to climb ladders or crawl on the ground

    Some jobs require lifting, standing for extended periods, or repetitive motions—such as construction, nursing, or assembly line work. But other jobs are more sedentary and involve prolonged sitting, fine motor skills, and the ability to remain stationary for extended periods.

    Certain medical conditions can affect certain job demands:

    • Musculoskeletal conditions may limit the ability to lift weights, stand for extended periods, or even sit for long durations.
    • Neurological disorders (e.g., hand tremors) can interfere with repetitive motion tasks like assembly line work or fine motor tasks like typing.

    When filing a long-term disability claim, supplemental medical evidence is often essential. This can include:

    • Physician reports,
    • Functional capacity evaluations, which can help corroborate the extent of a person’s disability and its impact on their ability to work.
    • Vocational evaluations

    Insurance companies often require such evidence, and claimants may also be subject to independent medical examinations (IMEs) to verify their limitations.

    Cognitive Demands of a Job

    Another key component of an occupation is the cognitive demands a person must perform. Not all occupations are purely physical. Some positions require a certain level of mental acuity to perform adequately.

    Common Cognitive Demands include:

    • Prolonged concentration
    • Memory retention
    • Problem-solving
    • Analytical thinking
    • Multitasking

    Professions such as law, finance, engineering, and medicine often require these skills to meet deadlines, analyze complex information, and make critical decisions.

    Medical Conditions can also affect cognitive demands. These conditions can include:

    • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may impair focus and memory.
    • Neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease) can limit cognitive function.
    • Severe migraines may reduce the ability to concentrate or process information effectively.
    Parkinson's Disease and Long-Term Disability Claims

    However, unlike physical limitations, cognitive impairments are not always easy to measure with objective medical tests. Many conditions rely on subjective evidence, such as self-reported symptoms, which can make LTD claims more difficult.

    To build a stronger case, claimants can collect the following evidence for their claim:

    • Obtain a neuropsychological evaluation from an outside expert
    • Provide witness statements from family, friends, or co-workers who observe daily challenges
    • Submit other supplemental evidence that demonstrates limitations in meeting job demands
    Mental and emotional stress play a part in LTD claims, too. Professions that come with elevated levels of stress can contribute to the need for such benefits. Mental health conditions, which often impair a person’s cognitive abilities, can qualify for long-term disability. Examples include anxiety, depression, and burnout. These conditions are often found in legal practices and the healthcare industry.

    What Are the Challenges and Risks Specific to Certain Professions?

    There are certain hazards that are common to specific professions. When filing for long-term disability benefits, claimants must provide their insurers with information on the duties of their job.

    The insurance company reviews this information alongside evidence of the claimant’s medical condition to determine if they qualify for LTD benefits. Therefore, understanding the challenges and risks common to your profession can help prove your claim to your insurer.

    Healthcare Workers

    • Common issues: musculoskeletal injuries from long hours on their feet, repetitive bending and twisting, and lifting patients or equipment.
    • Burnout is also prevalent due to high-stress environments like emergency rooms and operating rooms.
    • Filing LTD claims: Insurers often scrutinize whether healthcare workers can continue functioning in stressful environments. Extensive documentation of limitations is usually required.

    Office Workers, Software Developers, Tech Workers, and Corporate Employees

    • Common issues: carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and other conditions tied to repetitive duties (e.g., prolonged typing, extended sitting).
    • LTD claims: These conditions typically develop gradually rather than from sudden injuries, which can complicate claims.
    • Common issues: anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges caused by long hours and stressful work environments.
    • Filing LTD claims: Mental health conditions are harder to substantiate with objective evidence. Supplemental materials—such as a neuropsychological evaluation—can be critical.

    Banking and Financial Professionals

    • Occupations include corporate financial analysts, actuaries, traders, and investment bankers.
    • Common issues: medical or cognitive conditions that affect concentration and decision-making, such as depression or Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Filing LTD claims: Because these roles rely heavily on cognitive function, impairments may qualify professionals for benefits.

    Manual Laborers

    • Common issues: elevated risk of injuries from falls, equipment accidents, or repetitive motions.
    • Chronic conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) can also prevent continued physical labor.
    • Filing LTD claims: LTD benefits may provide coverage for workers unable to perform physically demanding tasks due to injuries or medical conditions.

    Who Are Some Professionals Who May Need Long-Term Disability Benefits?

    As we have mentioned in this article, every job is different. Each occupation has its own duties, and a medical condition can affect one professional differently from the next. Below, you will find some of the articles with more details about different professions and how a person in these roles may come to need to file for LTD benefits.

    Note: You may have a long-term disability policy either through your employer or directly from an insurance company. To find out, you can contact a member of your company’s HR department. If you have a policy through them, then they can provide you with more information about your coverage.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why does my occupation matter when filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits?

    Your occupation determines the physical and cognitive demands you are expected to meet. Insurers compare those duties to your medical limitations to decide if you qualify for benefits. A condition that prevents someone from working in one profession may not have the same impact on another.

    What kinds of physical demands can affect LTD claims?

    Physical duties such as lifting, standing for long periods, repetitive motion, or prolonged sitting can all be limiting factors. If your medical condition prevents you from safely or consistently performing these tasks, it may support your LTD claim.

    How do cognitive demands come into play with LTD benefits?

    Jobs that require concentration, memory, problem-solving, or decision-making can be significantly affected by conditions like traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, or severe migraines. Proving these impairments often requires neuropsychological testing or detailed evidence of how symptoms interfere with daily work.

    What evidence should I provide to strengthen my LTD claim?

    Strong documentation may include physician reports, functional or neuropsychological evaluations, and test results. Supplemental evidence like statements from coworkers, supervisors, friends, or family, can also show how your condition impacts your ability to perform occupational duties.

    Need Help? Call CCK Law

    The long-term disability process can be overwhelming, but it isn’t something you must handle on your own.

    CCK Law has:

    • Over 25 years of experience
    • Helped claimants at all stages of the process—claims, appeals, and litigation
    • Fought against all major insurance companies in the United States

    Contact Us

    • Call (800) 544-9144 for a free case evaluation
    • Fill out an online form
    • Our team will review your case and determine how we can help.