Getting Long-Term Disability (LTD) Benefits for Thrombophlebitis
Unfortunately, filing a long-term disability claim for thrombophlebitis is typically not as easy as simply filing a claim and receiving your benefits. Filing a long-term disability (LTD) claim is often a time-consuming, stressful, and complicated process. Wrongful denials by powerful insurance companies are all too common and many times this results in claimants not pursuing their claim further by filing an appeal.
At Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick, we can help you through the process and, if necessary, file an appeal against the insurance company. We take the burden off of your shoulders so that you can focus on your health and family instead of fighting with a company that is often motivated by its own financial interests. Contact us today at 401-331-6300 for a FREE consultation and see if we are able to fight for you.
Understanding Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in one of your veins and consequently slows down the circulation and blood flow in the vein. It also leads to inflammation, or phlebitis, in the vein which causes the vein to be swollen and irritated.
Typically, thrombophlebitis affects the veins in your legs, however, it can also occur in the arms or other parts of the body. Thrombophlebitis is usually caused by blood not moving the way it should in the veins. This is typically the result of long-term bed rest or immobility, sitting for an extended period of time, and having varicose veins, but there are other risk factors including, but not limited to, recent pregnancy, certain cancers, and a family history of blood clots.
Types of Thrombophlebitis
There are three main types of thrombophlebitis: superficial thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, and migratory thrombophlebitis. Superficial thrombophlebitis is a blood clot in a vein just below the skin. This type of thrombophlebitis can be very painful and typically requires treatment to manage the symptoms. Deep vein thrombosis is a clot that occurs in a vein deep in the body.
A clot in a deep vein can often come loose and travel through the bloodstream. If the clot gets to an artery in the lungs, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism. As a result, it is important to seek treatment right away if you have any symptoms of thrombophlebitis. Lastly, migratory thrombophlebitis is a blood clot that moves to different areas of the body. This type of thrombophlebitis is often linked to different types of cancer such as pancreatic or lung cancer.
Symptoms and Treatment
Some of the common symptoms of thrombophlebitis include red, swollen, and irritated skin around the affected area, pain or tenderness that worsens with pressure, a swollen vein that you can feel under your skin, pain when flexing your ankle (if the thrombophlebitis is occurring in the leg), and a swollen foot. These symptoms are often the result of decreased blood flow to the veins in the affected area.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms. They will likely perform an ultrasound and/or blood tests in order to determine if you are suffering from thrombophlebitis. More serious and life-threatening symptoms of thrombophlebitis include sharp chest pain or chest tightness, pain in the shoulder, back, or arm, pain when breathing, racing heartbeat, and sudden coughing that may produce blood. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 as soon as possible.
Most cases of thrombophlebitis in the shallow and superficial veins may begin to go away on their own without treatment in a few weeks. However, in the event that treatment is necessary, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce swelling, antibiotics if the affected veins have caused infections, and compression stockings that will improve blood flow to the legs and reduce swelling.
In more severe cases of thrombophlebitis, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners that prevent the clot from getting bigger or implant an inferior vena cava filter, which is a filter placed in the main vein in the abdomen that can help prevent a blood clot from traveling to the lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism.
CCK Understands Thrombophlebitis Disability Claims
Suffering from thrombophlebitis can certainly impact your ability to work reliably and consistently, even if the limitations are expected to be temporary. Severe pain in your legs would not only affect your ability to stand and walk but sitting for prolonged periods can also worsen the thrombophlebitis you experience. Additionally, having significant pain throughout the day can lead to poor concentration and focus, which interferes with your ability to complete work tasks.
Insurance companies are powerful entities with vast resources at their disposal. Accordingly, you may receive a wrongful denial even though you are truly unable to work. The next step is to file an appeal with the insurance company. CCK can help you navigate that process and put together a strong record that evidences your inability to work and your entitlement to benefits. Building a strong record at the appeal stage is particularly important in ERISA-governed cases because it is typically the last chance for claimants to get supportive evidence into the record.
Approaching Long-Term Disability Claims for Thrombophlebitis
At CCK, we take a comprehensive approach to long-term disability appeals. We start by collecting and analyzing the insurance company’s claim file, denial letter, and policy and determine the best appeal strategy and what additional evidence we will need in the record. Next, we review the medical records from your doctors to see if your condition and symptoms are well documented and address any discrepancies, if necessary.
It is important to have open and detailed communication with your treating physicians as the insurance company typically relies on their records and opinions in order to make a decision on your claim. Sometimes, we need clarification on the medical notes or a written opinion from your doctor when the records are not clear. We help facilitate this and try to ease the burden on your doctor as much as possible.
Additionally, we sometimes need to gather outside, expert opinions on your symptoms and how they affect your ability to work reliably and consistently. CCK is prepared to take all steps necessary to put together the strongest appeal possible for our clients.
Once we have gathered all the supportive evidence, we draft a comprehensive appeal that demonstrates how your condition affects your ability to work. Our arguments are based on and supported by the evidence we have gathered during the development process.
Was Your Long-Term Disability Claim Denied?
You focus on your health; let us put our resources and knowledge to work for you. Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick today at 401-331-6300 for a FREE consultation on your long-term disability claim or appeal. You can also contact us here.
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