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Getting Long-Term Disability (LTD) Benefits for Tendonitis

woman clutching elbow in pain due to tendonitis

Filing a long-term disability (LTD) claim for tendonitis can be a long and tedious process, and it often becomes stressful when the insurance company requires additional information or issues a wrongful denial.  Coping with a new and debilitating condition can be difficult enough without also having to battle an insurance company for the LTD benefits to which you are entitled.

At Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick, we can take the burden of dealing with the insurance company from you, so that you can focus on your health.  Our team of attorneys and professionals levels the playing field against the insurance companies, who are all too often motivated by their own financial interests.  Contact us now at 401-331-6300 for a FREE consultation.

Understanding Tendonitis

Tendonitis, also known as tendinitis, is the irritation of a tendon, usually resulting from overuse or injury.  People typically experience tendonitis in their elbows (commonly known as tennis or golfer’s elbow), shoulders (commonly known as swimmer’s or pitcher’s shoulder), and knees (commonly known as jumper’s knee), however, it can occur in other parts of the body as well. While tendonitis can start out as a mildly irritating problem, if you repeatedly aggravate the affected area, it could lead to more severe tendonitis that could affect your ability to perform daily activities or your job duties at work.

Long-Term Disability Insurance 101

Symptoms

Individuals who are diagnosed with tendonitis usually report pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, and redness around the affected tendon.  Many people report an increase in pain when moving the affected area and often experience a cracking or grinding sensation as the tendon moves.  Occasionally, people notice that a lump will form along the tendon.  In severe cases, the tendon can rupture at which point a gap in the tendon can be felt and movement of the area will be difficult.  These symptoms can sometimes take several weeks or months to resolve.  If your symptoms persist or suddenly get worse, you should speak to your doctor for treatment options.

Once you report your tendonitis symptoms to your doctor, they will likely perform a physical exam and attempt to move the tendon and assess your level of pain and your range of motion.  Your doctor may also order an x-ray to see if there are calcium deposits around the tendon, or an ultrasound or MRI to see If there is swelling of the tendon sheath.

Treatment

Often, pain, swelling, and discomfort will resolve by resting the affected area, applying ice and heat to the area, and taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen.  A physician may also recommend putting the joint in a bandage, splint, or brace in order to prevent movement.  In more severe cases, a plaster cast may be required.  Physical therapy and routine stretching and exercise can also help to strengthen the tendon and accelerate the healing process.  In extreme cases, which usually result from a lack of proper rest and treatment, surgery may be required.

CCK Understands Long-Term Disability Claims for Tendonitis

At CCK, we understand that tendonitis, even if it is an acute problem, can affect your ability to perform your job duties reliably and consistently.  For example, if you have a job that requires repetitive motion of a specific area, such as a chef using his wrist when cutting with a knife, you may not be able to perform that repetitive motion while you are waiting for your injury to heal.  Additionally, even once the tendon heals and pain subsides, you may not be able to consistently use that tendon without causing a flare-up or a more severe injury in that area.

Why You Need a Long-Term Disability Attorney

Your insurance company may not understand how tendonitis can affect your ability to work and may issue a wrongful denial on your long-term disability claim.  It is important to communicate your symptoms with your doctors and inform them of the functional limitations that you experience as a result of your tendonitis.  It is also important for your doctors to describe their exam findings and opinions in detail in your medical records.  They should note observations like tenderness of the area, decreased range of motion, and swelling, as well as note any treatments that you have tried and how successful they were.

Appealing a Denied Long-Term Disability Claim

In the event that the insurance company has denied your claim, CCK can help level the playing field against the insurance company and assist you with filing your LTD appeal.  Consulting with an attorney at the appeal stage is important because, oftentimes, the appeal is the last opportunity claimants have to get supportive evidence into the record before court.  We use our knowledge and expertise of ERISA, Department of Labor Regulations, and various insurance company policies to evaluate the claim file, denial letter, and medical evidence to determine the best strategy for the appeal.

7 Common Long-Term Disability Claim Mistakes

Handling a long-term disability appeal is much more complex than just completing paperwork.  At CCK, we take a comprehensive approach to appeals and gather the evidence you will need for court and submit it with your appeal, in order to put you in the strongest position possible for a successful outcome.  Such evidence includes medical records, test results, reports from your treating doctors, expert opinions, and witness statements from you, your family, and your co-workers.  Once we gather all the evidence, we put together an extensive appeal that thoroughly explains why you meet the definition of disability in your policy and are entitled to benefits.

Was Your Long-Term Disability Claim for Tendonitis Denied?

Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick today at 401-331-6300 for a FREE consultation on your long-term disability claim or appeal.