Common Types of Long Term Disabilities: Do You Qualify?

Common Disabilities that Qualify You for Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

When you are unable to work, managing your finances and supporting your loved ones can be difficult and cause for stress.  For this reason, many employers provide long-term disability (LTD) insurance to employees.  You may also have your own private long-term disability insurance that you purchased yourself.  Either type of long-term disability insurance can assist you by issuing monthly payments if your disability keeps you from working.

There are a wide range of conditions, illnesses, and disabilities that qualify for long-term disability (LTD) coverage.  At Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD, our attorneys have years of experience helping clients to obtain long-term disability benefits.  We can assist you in filing a claim with your insurance company or appealing a denial of benefits.  We want you to get the benefits you deserve.

Common Disabilities and Long-Term Disability Coverage

Your eligibility for long-term disability benefits will depend on your policy or plan documents, so it is important to read your policy carefully.  Throughout CCK’s decades of practice, we have helped clients obtain long-term disability coverage for a range of conditions including:

Qualifying Cancers and Long-Term Disability Benefits

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth or production of abnormal cells in the body which invade healthy tissue and organs.  Many types of cancer may qualify you for long-term disability benefits, but some of the most common cancers include:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Leukemia
• Melanoma
• Lymphoma

Qualifying Autoimmune Disorders and Long-Term Disability Benefits

An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which your body’s immune system, which protects against foreign viruses and infections, mistakes its own tissue as foreign.  When this occurs, your immune system will attack its own healthy tissue and damage your body.  Common autoimmune disorders include:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 Diabetes

Qualifying Neurological Disorders and Long-Term Disability Benefits

A neurological disorder is a disease of the central and peripheral nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles.  Common neurological disorders that can result in impairment include:

• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Bell’s Palsy

Qualifying Mental Illness and Long-Term Disability Benefits

Mental health disorders are conditions that commonly involve changes in mood, thought process, or behavior.  Several mental health disorders that may qualify you for long-term disability benefits include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Personality disorders

Qualifying Chronic Illness and Long-Term Disability Benefits

Chronic conditions are broadly defined as conditions that persist over a length of time and require ongoing medical attention.  Some conditions that are often chronic and can qualify for long-term disability benefits include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Asthma
• Chronic lung disease
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease

Qualifying Degenerative Diseases and Long-Term Disability Benefits

A degenerative disease is a disease in which the structure of tissues and cells in an organ deteriorates over time.  Some degenerative diseases include:

• Huntington’s disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• ALS

Other Conditions that May Qualify for Long-Term Disability Benefits

Some additional conditions or symptoms that may make you eligible for long-term disability benefits include:

• Deafness or hearing loss
• Blindness or vision loss
• Certain long-term injuries
• Chronic pain
• Chronic fatigue

Note that many of the above conditions may overlap in category, and qualification for long-term disability is dependent on the terms of your specific policy.  Numerous other conditions qualify, and conditions in combination with each other can also make you eligible for long-term disability.

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Getting your Long-Term Disability Claim Approved

If you have a condition that qualifies you for long-term disability insurance, you will have to submit medical documentation that proves your condition meets your policy’s definition of disability.  This definition defines the terms you must satisfy for your condition to qualify as a disability according to your insurance company.  It is important that you thoroughly understand this definition and the requirements of your policy to ensure that you submit all necessary evidence.

It is essential that you meet all deadlines, as a missed deadline can result in a loss of benefits.  You may also want to seek supplemental evidence in addition to your medical records.  This can include a personal note from your treating physician, additional evaluations from outside medical and vocational experts, and witness statements from friends, family, and coworkers.

Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick Can Help You with Your LTD Claim

While you can apply for benefits on your own, it can be beneficial to seek the assistance of a long-term disability attorney.  Insurance companies can be difficult to work with and it can be challenging to understand all the requirements of your policy and the laws surrounding your claim.

There are two sets of laws that govern long-term disability insurance issues.  If you are covered under your employer’s policy, ERISA, or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, usually applies.  If you have your own private long-term disability insurance, then state law typically applies.  The professionals at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD have over 33 years of experience helping clients get the benefits they deserve.  We have an in-depth understanding of these laws and can provide you with knowledgeable and experienced advocacy at every stage of your claim.

We at CCK understand that managing a debilitating health condition is tough and filing for long-term disability insurance while taking care of your health can be a burden.  Let our experienced legal team take care of the process for you.  At no cost to you, you can contact us online or call 800-544-9144 to speak with a member of our team to see if we can assist.