Long Term Disability Claims Attorneys for Multiple Sclerosis
If your diagnosis of multiple sclerosis prevents you from working or earning your usual wages, you might be entitled to long term disability benefits. Capitan Law represents clients suffering from disabling medical conditions and is ready to help you with your claim or appeal.
When you have a disability that impairs your physical or mental functioning, it can be challenging to maintain employment. Losing your job or cutting back your hours can create significant financial strain and stress. At Capitan Law, we know the impact multiple sclerosis can have on a person’s daily routine. You can suffer severe symptoms affecting your quality of life. If you’re no longer able to walk, you need someone to provide you with daily care and assistance.
The long term disability claims attorneys of Capitan Law are ready to fight for the maximum LTD benefits you need and deserve. We can file a claim on your behalf or appeal a denied claim. Call us at (267) 419-7888 right now for a free consultation and find out what we can do for you.
Common Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Nerve fibers are protected by a covering called myelin that the immune system attacks when the disease develops. This leads to communication issues between the brain and other parts of the body. Over time, nerve deterioration occurs, and there can be some permanent damage.
The symptoms caused by MS depend on the affected area of the body. They include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness or numbness in limbs on one side of the body
- Blurry vision
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination or unsteady gait
- Total or partial vision loss
- Sensations of electric shock while moving the neck
- Pain or tingling in body parts
- Prolonged double vision
- Bowel, bladder, and sexual functioning issues
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with a doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis. If the doctor determines you have multiple sclerosis, you should take immediate action to secure your rights to LTD benefits.
Long Term Disability Benefits Through Your Employer
Employers providing LTD benefits to their employees must follow ERISA standards. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act regulates health and retirement plans, giving participants specific rights, such as access to benefit payments when eligible. Insurance companies are also supposed to provide insurance coverage policies and information when requested by a plan participant, along with details about how to file a claim or appeal a denied claim.
Once you apply for LTD benefits, you have to wait for an elimination period to end. Most policies require between a 30-day and one-year elimination period. This timeframe usually begins on the date you file a claim.
Long term disability benefits are meant to supplement someone’s lost income when their disabling condition prevents them from returning to their job or making the wages they made before developing an injury or illness. If multiple sclerosis and its symptoms limit your physical or mental functioning for at least six months, you could collect these benefit payments every month.
Your benefits will last for as long as your symptoms keep you from working until the duration of your policy has been reached. Most will provide benefits until you’re able to return to your job or another place of employment. Some limit coverage to two years. However, if multiple sclerosis prevents you from holding any job for which you qualify, you might be entitled to monthly payments until you reach retirement age or even for the rest of your life.
What You Should Do If Multiple Sclerosis Leaves You Disabled
There’s a procedure you must follow if you want to apply for LTD benefits through your employer-paid policy. You must notify your employer immediately after your diagnosis when your doctor determines you cannot perform your usual job duties. They should provide a form for you to fill out. Do so, and give it to them to submit to the insurance representative.
Continue to seek medical treatment so your doctor can update your diagnosis and keep an eye on your condition. If they refer you for ongoing treatment, you should follow their orders. Some treatment plans can slow the progression of the disease or help to manage your symptoms. Continue with your treatment until you can return to work.
Be sure to obtain a letter from your doctor, including your specific diagnosis, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and why it interferes with your job. LTD insurers typically want to avoid paying out claims or will provide minimal benefits to save money. The more evidence you have to document your condition, the more likely you will receive the maximum available benefits.
Hiring a long term disability claims attorney is also crucial to ensure that you protect your rights and receive the monthly payments you need to cover your medical treatment and daily living expenses. Without legal representation, you could end up with a denied claim or encounter obstacles you don’t know how to overcome.
What To Do If Your Claim Is Denied
Long term disability claims can be stressful and overwhelming to deal with. You must follow strict deadlines and submit medical records and other evidence to the insurance company. Insurance companies typically look out for their own interests over the interests of plan participants. Their goal is to save money whenever possible and deny claims if they can find a valid reason to do so.
Some common reasons for these denials are:
- Insufficient evidence of a disability
- Missed deadline for filing the initial claim or submitting additional requested documentation
- Multiple sclerosis isn’t considered a disabling condition on your employer’s LTD policy
- You have a preexisting condition instead of a new diagnosis of MS
- There’s a significant gap between your doctor’s appointments
- There’s information missing on your application, or it contains incorrect details of your diagnosis
- The insurance company’s medical expert reviewed your records and determined you don’t have a disabling condition
If the insurance company denied your claim, you would have a limited time to appeal the decision. ERISA law requires filing your appeal within at least 180 days from the date on the denial letter. Capitan Law has extensive experience handling LTD appeals and can take on each step, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Contact Capitan Law
If you discovered you can no longer work due to your disabling multiple sclerosis symptoms or the insurance company denied your claim, contact Capitan Law right now. We have the resources and knowledge to file your initial claim or appeal your denied claim. We will remain by your side from start to finish of your case to protect your rights and fight for the maximum available benefits you need to cover your treatment. You will not be alone during this difficult time in your life.
Call us at (267) 419-7888 today for your free consultation.
