Long Term Disability for Chronic Pain Syndrome Attorneys

When you are in pain, it can feel like your world has been disrupted. Not only does pain prevent people from doing the things they enjoy, but it also takes a tremendous toll on an individual’s mental health. When pain keeps a person from working, playing, and living life to the fullest, depression and anxiety may follow. For most people, pain is a side effect. Treat the injury or condition, and the pain will go away. However, that isn’t always true for everyone.

Those with chronic pain syndrome (CPS) may find themselves in constant and unending pain. This pain lasts long after their injury or illness has subsided. The pain can be so intense that it prevents a person from returning to work. When this happens, an individual’s entire financial support structure may crumble. Thankfully, long term disability coverage can help. Yet, how can you be sure you are getting the maximum benefits you deserve?

If a painful condition like CPS is keeping you out of work, contact the long term disability for neurological and cognitive disorders legal team at Capitan Law today. Our skilled team can help you build a strong claim that stands the best chance of earning you the benefits you deserve. For a free consultation, call our office at (267) 419-7888.

What Is Chronic Pain Syndrome?

Pain is a physical response to an injury or problem in the body. It is a signal that travels along an individual’s nerves up to the brain. The brain registers the signal as pain and immediately knows there is a problem. Pain can be caused by an acute injury like a cut, burn, or broken bone. Pain can be caused by a medical condition or ailment. Pain is the body’s way of telling the brain that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Pain is generally a symptom of a larger issue. When that issue is treated, the pain will begin to subside.

Chronic pain syndrome or CPS is different. In those who suffer from chronic pain syndrome, the pain lasts long after the body has finished healing. Chronic pain is generally defined as pain lasting for at least three to six months.

What Causes Chronic Pain Syndrome?

Unfortunately, not a lot is understood about chronic pain syndrome. CPS often develops after an individual battles a painful condition. However, instead of the pain easing with the treatment of the condition, it persists long after the injury or medical issue has healed. The reasons for this are still unclear. Researchers believe that there may be both physical and mental components to the development of CPS.

Some of the conditions that can lead to the development of CPS include:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Migraines or headaches
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme disease
• Cancers
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel disease
• Endometriosis
• Surgical trauma 
• MPS (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)

Who Is at an Increased Risk for Developing Chronic Pain Syndrome?

Although researchers are still investigating the cause of the syndrome, they have identified risk factors that may make some people more susceptible to developing the condition. These risk factors include:

• Being female. The condition seems to impact more women than men. It may be because of a difference in hormones, or the density of the nerve fibers found in women.
• Those with depression or other mental health issues. While not widely understood, there seems to be a connection between depression and the development of CPS. Depression or mental health conditions may alter brain chemistry or the way the brain interprets messages from the nervous system. However, it is not known why those with depression have a stronger tendency to develop CPS.
• Smoking. Smoking contributes to a wide range of serious health complications. However, smoking seems to make painful conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis worse. One study finds that smokers make up 50 percent of the patients who seek pain treatment, yet only 18 percent of people in the U.S. smoke.
• Obesity. Those who are overweight tend to be at risk for developing CPS. Extra weight may place more stress and strain on the body, causing pain. Inflammation may contribute to the condition, as could the way obesity impacts the body’s hormone production and metabolism.
• Adults Over 65. With aging comes the potential onset of painful conditions like arthritis and back pain. These conditions tend to be the trigger for the development of CPS.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain Syndrome

Those with CPS often find it difficult to get a diagnosis because chronic pain syndrome can mimic other types of conditions. It can take time and being your own advocate to get to the bottom of what is causing your pain.

The symptoms of chronic pain syndrome can include:

• Joint pain
• Burning pain
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Loss of libido
• Mood problems

Those with chronic pain syndrome may also experience depression and anxiety. While the physical toll on the body can be painful, the mental toll CPS can take can be excruciating as well. Those with CPS may turn to alcohol or drug abuse to ease their physical and mental symptoms. They may also find themselves having suicidal thoughts.

It is extremely important to talk to your doctor about all your symptoms, both physical and mental.

Do You Qualify for Disability Benefits?

If you have been diagnosed with CPS by a medical professional and the condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for disability benefits. Many employers offer long term disability benefits that will help supplement your wages if you are diagnosed with a disabling condition that will impact your health for at least six months. You may also have purchased the policy on your own if your employer offered no such benefit.

Policy details may differ but most plans will pay 60 to 80 percent of an individual’s average monthly wages. Your employer will have a claims process that you must follow to seek long term disability benefits. The process typically includes an application and medical records that show the severity of your condition.

Employees should be aware that insurance companies may do everything in their power to prevent you from gaining the maximum benefit allowance you may be entitled to receive. It is in their best interest to keep claim payouts low and profits for the company high. If you are considering filing for long term disability, talk to an experienced disability attorney first. An attorney can help you submit a strong claim and negotiate on your behalf for the money you deserve.

Contact a Skilled Disability Attorney to Help You

Getting the disability benefit that you’ve worked and paid for shouldn’t be a struggle. Yet, many employees find the process difficult and demoralizing.

At Capitan Law, our goal is to help you get the disability benefits that you deserve. If you have been diagnosed with CPS and are unable to work, contact our office at (267) 419-7888 for a free consultation. We can walk you through the disability claims process and how we can help you recover the money you need.