At Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers, we understand the intricate nature of long-term disability claims and appeals. The appeal process in a long-term disability claim is vital as it provides a platform for claimants to challenge an unfavorable decision made by the insurance company. Often, depending on the insurance policy terms, the appeal process is even required before you can file a lawsuit challenging the insurance company’s decision. However, the sophistication needed in these cases requires more than just a basic understanding. And, importantly, the way you communicate with the insurance company may likely be used against you.

DOES AI REALLY HELP YOUR CLAIM?

Technology often lacks the human emotion that may be necessary to humanize you for purposes of the appeal – or later, for the Court.

Although technology advancement, particularly AI, has brought convenience to many aspects of our lives, it’s important to tread carefully when considering its use in the claim or appeal process for long-term disability claims. While AI assistance might seem inviting due to its speed and ease, it lacks the human touch necessary for these complex endeavors. AI, by nature, lacks the empathy and insight inherent in human interaction. For those who are going through the distress of dealing with a disability, it may be difficult expressing their concerns or articulating their situation to the insurance company. AI likely won’t capture the full extent of what a disabled claimant suffers on a day-to-day basis.

Insurance companies often use communication skills, detailed summaries, and information from claimants as evidence to prove the ability to work. Machine-generated appeals or summaries may lack the necessary nuances or fail to fully capture the claimant’s situation. AI also lacks the ability to understand and convey emotions, a significant factor considering the individualized nature of disability claims. In such sensitive cases, human involvement and understanding are indispensable.

Insurance companies will often seize any angle they can to minimize or deny the payout for a claim. One particular approach that these companies have been known to employ involves the exploitation of concise, well-written summaries, emails, or medical records provided by a claimant. Moreover, they might even leverage such articulated documents that were compiled with the assistance of AI. For instance, the company might argue that the claimant is not disabled or ill to the extent they claim if they are capable of putting together a lengthy medical history or appeal. By suggesting that the very ability to write a comprehensive, structured document contradicts the severity of the claimed disability or medical condition, the company may try to avoid its obligations and refuse to approve benefits.

The insurance company may not even acknowledge its view of your “detailed” appeal until you receive the final denial letter that alleges you were able to communicate and provide detailed information. If this happens, it is unlikely that you will be able to defend yourself by explaining that you utilized AI to assist you because once the insurance company issues a final denial of your benefits, you may not be able to submit any additional information in support of your claim.

PITFALLS OF AI

AI is not perfect. There is absolutely room for error in the information it generates based on the inquiries you input. There is a significant risk that – without careful review – you may even unknowingly provide information to the insurance company that is simply wrong. By failing to catch incorrect information that AI generated for you, you may be subject to the incorrect information being used against you unfavorably by the insurance company. If the appeal process finalizes without this information being corrected, you are at risk of being bound to that information without a way to dispute it if you file a lawsuit. This, combined with the lack of human emotion, the risk of the insurance company using detailed communications in opposition to you, and the privacy concerns related to your information, demonstrate the dangers of relying on AI to support your claim.

It is important to be up-to-date on the software you are relying on. Is that information protected? Are there privacy concerns? You may unknowingly put your own privacy at risk by inputting your confidential medical and personal information in AI software.

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

Professional advice and representation in these matters carry more weight than any AI can provide. Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers is ably equipped to navigate the complex terrain of disability claims and appeals. Our law firm provides personalized attention and drafts comprehensive appeals which articulate your story and situation compellingly. We keep abreast of the ever-evolving rules and regulations surrounding long-term disability claims, appeals, and ERISA to ensure we are always poised to fight for you.

Bear in mind, presenting well-articulated documentation is perfectly within your rights. If an insurance company tries to barter with such unscrupulous semantics, Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers can help protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us at (800) 249-3731 for a free consultation today.

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you? It may be happening, and it may be your insurance company!

Do you have a long term disability claim with an insurance company? Imagine waking up in the morning, attending to your daily routine, all while unaware that you could be under the watchful eyes of your insurance company as part of their long-term disability claim investigation. Can they do that?? Yes, it’s possible! Insurance companies occasionally employ video surveillance tactics, photography surveillance, or deep-dive into your social media activities, looking for evidence to deny disability benefits.

I’VE BEEN RECEIVING BENEFITS FOR YEARS – IS SURVEILLANCE STILL POSSIBLE?

Short answer: yes!

Whether your claim has been approved for 1 month, 5 years, or is still pending an initial claim decision, the insurance company can perform a variety of investigation tactics into your claim. It is possible that the insurance company may schedule you to attend an in-person medical evaluation. In this case, don’t be surprised if the day of the evaluation arrives and – unbeknownst to you – someone is camped out down the street ready to video you leaving for the evaluation, traveling to the evaluation, or following you once you leave the evaluation. Do you live in a rural area where access to your home is scarce? That may not matter; the surveillance may occur in the parking lot of the evaluation. It is even possible that they may follow you after the evaluation is over and continue recording or taking pictures (even if you go inside a restaurant with your spouse – yes, that can happen!).

WAIT- CAN THEY DO THAT?

Some may wonder, how is such a practice legal? The answer lies in the fine print of your insurance policy agreement. Most states have laws in play that allow insurance companies to use such surveillance methods. While it might feel intrusive, they do it in the name of preventing insurance fraud.

Bear in mind, what you might perceive as an innocuous update on Facebook or an innocent post on Instagram could be misconstrued and used against you. In these days of digital footprints, it’s crucial to be mindful of the information we share online, especially when pursuing a long-term disability claim.

WHAT INFORMATION CAN THEY GET?

If you are in a public space, or provide any information online publicly, that information is at risk of being obtained by the insurance company. Sometimes even something simple can be misinterpreted or misconstrued by an insurance company without context. Therefore, it is not surprising if the insurance company may use against you anything it finds through surveillance and/or social media investigations.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CLAIM IS DENIED BECAUSE OF SURVEILLANCE OR AN ONLINE INVESTIGATION?

If your long-term disability claim is denied, it is likely that you will be given an opportunity to appeal that denial. The appeal process is typically a very crucial part to your claim after a denial has occurred. Ensuring that the denial is appealed properly and that all necessary information has been provided to the insurance company is key. If you believe you are being unfairly surveilled or if your claim has been denied on the grounds of such investigations, we at Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers are here to help. You should not be alone navigating these challenging issues. Call us today at (800) 249-3731 to discuss your case.

There are many different types of chronic lung disease that vary in severity, be that as it may, one thing is certain: the number of individuals impacted by lung disease is rapidly increasing in the United States. An early analysis can help begin treatment and keep the disease from advancing rapidly.

When you breathe, your lungs intake oxygen from the air and distribute it to the bloodstream. Your body needs oxygen for your cells to work and grow. On a normal day, an average person breathes nearly 25,000 times. Many with chronic lung disease have difficulty breathing. If all types of lung disease were lumped together, it would be the third leading killer in the United States.

Types of Chronic Lung Disease

• Asthma. Asthma is a chronic (continuous) disease of the bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs). These airways carry air into and out of the lungs. In individuals with asthma, the walls of these airways become inflamed (swollen) and hypersensitive. The airways overreact to any irritation such as smoke, air pollution, mold, and allergens (such as pollen and dust mites). Whenever the airways are inflamed, they narrow, limiting the airflow into and out of the lungs. This narrowing causes difficulty breathing and can induce wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) consists of a few different conditions. The main two are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD causes progressive inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This inflammation causes the production of excess mucus as well as difficulty breathing. This increase in mucus can lead to a persistent cough and can also increase an individual’s chances of developing infections. Emphysema damages the air sacs at the end of the bronchial tubes, which decreases the oxygen that is passed into the bloodstream. This causes patients to suffer from shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. The main cause of COPD is smoking cigarettes or being exposed to high quantities of second hand smoke.
• Pulmonary Emboli. Pulmonary emboli are blood clots of various sizes that form in other parts of the body and travel through the body, becoming stuck within the lungs. Blood clots that are smaller in size can cause breathing problems and decrease the oxygen flow to the bloodstream. Larger blood clots within the lungs can become fatal.
• Lung Cancer. Lung cancer is a disease in which abnormal lung cells develop and multiply without control. These cancerous cells can attack nearby tissues, spread to different parts of the body, or both. The two noteworthy sorts of lung cancer are named for the way the cells look under a magnifying instrument.
• Small cell lung cancer. This type of lung cancer tends to spread quickly
• Non-small cell lung cancer. This is an umbrella term for the multiple types of lung cancers that behave in a similar way. Typically, lung cancers are non-small cell. This type of lung cancer tends to spread slower than small cell lung cancer.
• Pulmonary Fibrosis. A rare lung disease where the tissues in the lungs become scarred and stiffen over time. The lungs’ ability to supply oxygen to the bloodstream decreases heavily.
• Pulmonary Hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of chronic lung disease in which the blood pressure within the lungs spikes to a dangerous level. The elevated pressure forces the heart work harder and pump more oxygen-rich blood into the lungs. This can lead to heart failure if left untreated.
• Pneumonia and Influenza. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Fluid pools in the lungs and may lower the amount of oxygen that the blood can receive from air breathed in. Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by a virus and can damage the lungs severely. Typically, most people recover from the flu, however, it can be deadly in some cases.

What Causes Chronic Lung Disease?

• Smoking. Cigarettes, pipes, and cigars are the number one cause of lung disease. Smoking or being exposed to this smoke for long periods of time damages the lungs and increases the chance for lung disease and heart disease. Tobacco smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals, including nearly 70 that are known to cause cancer, lung disease, and other health complications.
• Radon. Exposure to forms of radiation can increase an individual’s chances of developing lung diseases. The most common form of radiation exposure is from radon. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that is created naturally through the decay of radioactive elements, it is also a common element found throughout the world in various amounts of soil and rock. You can test your home for radon with a kit that can be bought at most hardware stores. As radon in the air breaks down, it attaches and fuses with dust particles that can be inhaled into the lungs. These inhaled particles give off radiation that can damage the bodies cells and cause various health problems.
• Asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber that has various uses. The most common are insulation, fireproofing materials, vehicle breaks, and more. Asbestos gives off small fibers that are not visible to the naked eye and can be inhaled. When inside the lungs, these particles harm the lungs cells, causing scarring on the lungs and can cause various types of cancer. Individuals whom are exposed to high quantities of asbestos are particularly at risk of mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the tissue covering the lungs and other organs in the body.

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The term “lung diseases” is ultimately an umbrella term used to cover different disorders affecting the lunch, asthma, COPD, infections such as influenza and pneumonia, and other various lung complications. If you have recently been diagnosed with a lung disease and are unable to work for extended periods of time, due to your condition – contact us today to see if you have a claim for long term disability benefits. Receiving benefits for lung diseases is never an easy task, as claims are frequently wrongfully denied by insurance companies. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers at 800-249-3731 today to receive a free consultation.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. Normally, it causes the spine to bend into a “C” or “S” shape. Depending on the person, scoliosis can be harmless to severely debilitating. In some cases of scoliosis, patients are unable to breathe, suffer from chronic back pain, and can suffer from spine or nerve damage from spinal surgery or uncorrected scoliosis. Treatments can range from a regular doctor appointment to surgery that inserts metal poles in your spine to strengthen it.

Physical Activity and Scoliosis

Because of the curvature of the spine, a person who has scoliosis can experience some hardships when exerting themselves. Both men and women experience some difficulty when exercising and women experience some form of pain when standing or sitting for long periods of time. After surgery, a majority of patients reported a significant improvement in their ability to exert themselves.

Social and Other Activities

Men and women both reported problem in their social life because of difficulties participating in physical activities. Many also reported feeling self-conscious about their appearance. Regardless, men and women were both considered to be functioning normally within their age group, in terms of social status (being married and having children), sports, and job performance.

Scoliosis can affect different parts of the spine, which can cause different problems for each person. Patients with a double major curve, one curve in the mid-back (thoracic spine) and one in the lower back (lumbar), reported difficulty driving, especially for long periods of time. Patients with only curves in their lower back reported difficulty doing household chores, as this affected their ability to lift, run, stand and carry objects.

Body Image

There are millions of people who have scoliosis. There are more parts of the body affected because of this condition. A patient’s mental health and psyche can also be affected. A majority of patients reported feeling self-conscious while wearing a bathing suit, because of how their back looks with a curve. While most patients reported feeling self-conscious about their body in some way, many also reported that they were able to cope with their scoliosis in a positive way.

Work Eligibility

In some severe cases of scoliosis, a person can be unable to work due to their physical limitations. Beyond having a limited ability to sit, stand, and walk, other physical requirements such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying may be completely impossible for an individual with scoliosis, due to their back pain and strength limitations. Mental impairments can cause a patient to develop depression and even become reclusive, to the point of isolation, which may also make returning to work impossible.

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Scoliosis alone is rarely disabling unless it is severe. If you develop another spinal condition or injury, scoliosis can complicate treatment. Typically, a combination of spinal conditions will help qualify you for disability benefits. If you or a loved one has recently had a spinal condition or injury disability claim rejected, do not give up! Call the disability attorneys at Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers today to receive a free consultation. We have helped people across the United States whom are unable to work due to back or spinal disorders. Find help today by calling 800-249-3731.

It is reported that around 12% of the population suffers from migraines. The International Headache Society defines chronic migraines as experiencing fifteen headache days per month, and eight or more of those days being migrainous, in absence of medication. If an individual experiences less than 15 headache days per month, they are diagnosed with (low or high) frequency episodic migraines. If an individual suffers from fifteen or more, they are diagnosed with chronic migraines. Migraine attacks can increase in frequency over time transitioning a diagnosis of episodic migraines into chronic migraines.

When diagnosing patients with episodic or chronic migraines, it is extremely important to know the exact number of days per month that a person experiences a headache of any kind. Most doctors suggest carrying a “headache diary” to record the level of pain, duration, and other information surrounding their experienced headache. Typically, when patients are asked how many headaches they experience they only report the most severe headaches. By only reporting the most severe headaches, they may give a false impression of their true headache trouble and a diagnosis for chronic headaches may be overlooked.

Individuals that suspect they have chronic migraines should be diligently assessed by their physician to exclude all other potential causes of frequent headaches such as secondary headaches. Secondary headaches are headaches caused by an underlying condition or disease.

Other forms of chronic daily headaches include chronic tension-type headache, daily persistent headaches, or hemicrania continua.

Risk Factors of Chronic Migraines

Similarly, to episodic migraines there is not a single cause for chronic migraines. Some people have found specific triggers such as bright lights, caffeine, and food or sleep deprivation.

Other risk factors include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obesity
• Asthma
• Head or neck injury

Treatment for Chronic Migraines

Treatment for episodic and chronic migraines are very similar. Most treatments consist of acute medications to try and break the onset of a headache attack. Doctors try and limit the amount of medication used as migraines can also be caused by medication overuse. Preventive medications are used to decrease the severity and intensity of headache attacks. There is currently only one chronic headache medicine that is FDA approved, other medications such as anti-depressants, anti-seizure and blood pressure medications have also been proven to help relieve chronic migraines. Most doctors have seen encouraging results with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. However, doctors have also reported a problem with patients overusing their medication in fear of migraine onset.

Obtaining Disability Benefits for Chronic Migraines

Despite the harsh symptoms that accompany migraines, they rarely cause problems that are evident on any laboratory testing, or brain MRIs. Typically, headaches and migraines are considered “subjective symptom disabilities” or disorders for which there are no objective tests than can prove a person is suffering from a migraine.

Our disability insurance attorneys at Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers have helped numerous long-term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result of chronic migraines. If your claim has been denied, we are able to assist you and make the claim process as easy as possible for you. Call toll free at 800-249-3731 today.

Diastolic heart failure is when the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle) is not able to properly fill with blood during the diastolic phase, reducing the total amount of blood pumped out into the body. The diastolic phase is when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.

When the left ventricle muscle becomes stiff or thick, diastolic heart failure is more likely to occur. The heart must increase the pressure produced inside the ventricle to fill it. This increase in pressure causes blood to build up inside the left atrium, and then in the lungs, which causes fluid congestion and symptoms of heart failure. This type of heart failure can be fatal in some cases.

As we age, our hearts and blood vessels become less elastic and stiffen. Diastolic heart failure is more common as individuals age. However, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity can contribute to the development of diastolic heart failure.

Diastolic Heart Failure Symptoms

The symptoms for diastolic heart failure can range from mild to severe and may include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in feet, ankles, or legs
• Persistent cough
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Irregular heart beat
• Sudden weight gain
• H2: Treatments for diastolic heart failure

To determine if an individual has diastolic heart failure, they must undergo a physical exam. After a physical exam, patients may have to have additional testing that could include:

• Blood tests: A blood test checks the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, and protein in the blood that could indicate heart complications.
• X-Ray: A common imaging test.
• Echocardiogram: A type of ultrasound exam that uses soundwaves to take moving pictures of the heart and its champers.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help determine if parts of the heart are enlarged or damaged. Electrodes are attached to the arms, legs, and chest to check the electrical currents produced by the heart.
• Electrophysiology study: A test that records the heart’s electrical pathways and activities. This test is commonly used to discover what’s causing heart rhythm problems.
• Stress testing: This test is conducted during exercise. If an individual is unable to exercise, medication is given to increase the heart rate. When used in combination with an EKG, the test can show changes in the heart’s rate, rhythm, electrical activity, and blood pressure. Exercise causes the heart to work harder and beat faster.

Treatment

While it is impossible to prevent all types of heart failure, you can work toward lowering your risks for diseases or conditions that can lead to or complicate the condition.

• Be active: Every adult should exercise for 30 minutes every day. Moderate exercise helps circulation and decreases stress on your heart.
• Develop a healthy diet: Limiting sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol and salt can help lower your risk for heart disease. Similarly, eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products assist a healthy heart.
• Work toward and maintain a healthy weight: Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight relieves stress on the heart.
• Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, raises blood pressure and ultimately makes the heart beat faster. Reducing smoking will greatly reduce the stress on your heart and reduces your risk for heart disease.

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Our disability insurance attorneys at Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers have helped numerous long-term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result cardiac conditions. If your claim has been denied, we are able to assist you and make the claim process as easy as possible for you. Call toll free at 800-249-3731 today.

Blindness can occur for a multitude of reasons. Diabetes can cause blindness through a few conditions. Diabetes blindness causes thousands to lose their eye-sight every year. Diabetes interferes with the blood supplied to the eye, which can cause severe damage to the retina. This strain to the eye can cause loss of vision up to blindness.

Diabetic Eye Diseases

Diabetes is a disease that effects the way a person’s body regulates the blood glucose (sugar). The main hormone used by the body to regulate glucose is insulin, a diabetic’s body does not make enough insulin or can not process the insulin produced by the pancreas. Diabetes can affect a person in many different ways, including a decrease in vision. There a few diseases that can cause diabetes blindness:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: The most common cause for loss of vision in people with diabetes. This disease affects the blood vessels in the retina. The retina detects light and converts the light into signals that are sent from the optic nerve to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy causes blood vessels located in the retina to leak fluid or hemorrhage, which disturbs vision.
• Diabetic macular edema (DME): A common side effect of Diabetic Retinopathy, DME is the swelling in the macula. The macula is the part of the eye between the optic nerve and the retina that is needed for sharp vision, reading, driving, and other straight-ahead vision tasks.
• Glaucoma: A group of diseases that cause damage to the eyes optic nerve. Some forms of glaucoma are caused by elevated blood pressure inside the eye. Adults with diabetes are double the risk for glaucoma than those without.
• Cataract: Adults with diabetes are between 2 – 5 times more likely to develop cataract. This disease clouds the eyes lens, disrupting vision.

Your disability claim for diabetes blindness was rejected by your insurance company. What can you do?

It is common knowledge that insurance companies will deny your disability claim for any number of reasons. It is in your best interest to hire a law firm that has experience in disability insurance law.

Our attorneys focus in disability law issues regarding private long-term disability policies and employer group disability plans (also called ERISA disability plans).

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Our firm routinely works with complicated medical facts surrounding diabetes disability. We communicate with treating doctors and experts, and challenge insurance company physicians and other experts who seek to further their own interests. We have helped many disabled people, who are unable to work because of diabetes, diabetes blindness, or other forms of eye disease, successfully appeal denials and secure the benefits they deserve. Do not give up on your claim. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers Toll Free Today at 800-249-3731.

Brittle Diabetes is a type of diabetes that is characterized by wide swings in blood glucose levels causing hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. This type of diabetes is very difficult to control even if the patient follows their prescribed treatment. Brittle diabetes tends to occur when insulin levels fall to zero. Since there is not enough natural insulin to help with the swings in blood glucose.

This type of diabetes often limits patients to light work and work that does not expose them to the extreme environmental conditions such extreme heat or cold. If a patient’s blood glucose level is already unstable, they may have fluctuating symptoms. Because of this, medium and heavy work would probably be unsustainable.

Brittle Diabetes Signs

Brittle diabetes is an extremely difficult to control type of diabetes. People with brittle diabetes often experience the following symptoms:

• Unexpected yet frequent episodes of very high or very low blood sugar
• Unpredictable, sudden changes in blood glucose levels
• Higher chances of experiencing severe hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis

Development of Brittle Diabetes

Frequently, brittle diabetes is associated with stress and depression. Stress has the potential to cause acute and temporary insulin resistance. This means that the body does not respond normally to insulin. The frequency of this insulin resistance can change depending on the patient. Because of this it is challenging to judge how much insulin a patient should use per dose.

Brittle Diabetes Management

One of the main problems patients with brittle diabetes face is the unpredictable rise and fall in their sugar levels. A reduced carbohydrate diet can help reduce the wide swings in their blood glucose levels, making sharp rises and falls less likely and less frequent.

Technology has evolved to help patients control their diabetes. Insulin pumps, flash glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitors help give patients more opportunities to control their blood sugar levels more effectively.

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Our firm routinely works with complicated medical facts surrounding diabetes disability. We have helped many disabled people, who are unable to work because of diabetes, successfully appeal denials and secure the benefits they deserve. We communicate with treating doctors and experts, and challenge insurance company physicians and other experts who seek to further their own interests. Do not give up on your long-term disability claim. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers Toll Free Today at 800-249-3731.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States and is the fourth leading cause of death. Strokes are caused by a disruption in blood flow in the brain that affects the central nervous system. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot obstructs blood flow to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures within the brain causing bleeding that disrupts the central nervous system. Another common causes, a ruptured aneurysm, which is a weakened cerebral artery that bursts.

A stroke, or other related event, usually strikes suddenly, with the first sign of a stroke being the stroke. Individuals can be suddenly disabled and in need of long term disability benefits, sometimes permanent disability. If caught early enough, depending on its severity, there is a good chance for the stroke victim to completely recover. However, that does not mean that the victim will not need long-term disability benefits. Insurance companies may adopt a wait and see attitude. Rather than processing and paying your benefits right away, they may drag out the process to see if you’ll recover. In the meantime, you may suffer financially while you recover.

Depending on the severity of the stroke and the length of time blood flow was disrupted in the brain a patient may experience partial paralysis, total paralysis, loss of memory, loss of vision, speech and language impairment, and even death.

LTD Disability Benefits Denied After Stroke

After most strokes, the patient will require a period of recovery. How long it takes to recover, varies greatly depending on the type and severity of the stroke. Some people due to diabetes, smoking, or other health condition are predisposed to having strokes and may suffer several in their lifetime.

The good news is, treatments have greatly improved over the past couple of decades. Modern stroke treatments permit many victims to return to work and other normal activities within a few days of the event. However, most victims will require weeks, months, or years to recover fully from the, if ever.

If you or a loved one has had a stroke and it appears that you may not be able to work anytime soon, you should file a claim with your long-term disability insurance carrier. Your long-term disability insurance claim due to a stroke may be denied or unreasonably delayed by your insurance company. Your long-term disability insurance carrier will continue to jerk you around for as long as you allow it. At the first hint of trouble, contact our long-term disability insurance lawyers. We will take on the big insurance company and fight for you to get the long-term disability insurance benefits you deserve.

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You have suffered enough because of your stroke, don’t let the insurance company make you suffer more. You paid for your long-term disability insurance benefits. Now that you need them, the insurance company is playing games with your life and livelihood. You do not have to take it! Call us. We will fight for you. Call 800-249-3731 today.

We handle long-term disability insurance cases across the United States.

Spinal stenosis occurs when there is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This medical condition often results in severe symptoms and a profound effect on those afflicted.

The condition can limit one’s ability to work or carry out normal daily activities and may result in permanent disability. Seeking disability benefits for spinal stenosis can be a lengthy, frustrating process.

Denial of Spinal Stenosis Disability Claims – Long Term Disability Insurance

When you file a claim for long term disability through your insurance company, be prepared for a fight. It is common for many insurance carriers to deny claims for spinal stenosis and other disorders of the neck and spine.

They will argue from many points of view, including lack of objective medical evidence such as x-ray, CT scans or MRI, to the fact that spinal stenosis is a normal aging process, or the pain or weakness does not meet the threshold of disability according to the language in the insurance policy.

Insurance companies may also selectively ignore any award of disability benefits made by Social Security for spinal stenosis.

What Is Spinal Stenosis Disability?

The condition is a narrowing of the spinal canal. This is usually due to spine and disc degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also be caused by injury, trauma, osteoporosis, or in rare cases, tumors.

The narrowing commonly occurs in the cervical spine (neck area) or the lumbar spine (lower back). Sometimes both areas are affected. The spinal cord and spinal nerves become compressed, or squeezed, causing inflammation of the nerves.

Cervical spinal stenosis results in pain, numbness and weakness in the arms, shoulders, and legs, and victims often suffer from balance issues and disturbance in their gait.

Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain, as well as weakness, numbness, pain and abnormal sensations in the buttocks, thighs, legs, calves, and feet. Trouble walking, and loss of bowel or bladder control may also result. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. This occurs when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower spine down the back of each leg.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Determining the cause of spinal stenosis can be complicated because, while spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, there is usually an underlying spine condition that is causing the spinal canal to narrow. For example, a bulging or herniated disc would cause the spinal canal to narrow in a particular place because the bulging disc has moved out of its normal zone in the spine. In this case, the patient would have spinal stenosis caused by a bulging disc.

However, there are several instances when spinal stenosis is caused by nothing more than the natural aging process. As we age, the ligaments in our spine can become thicker and compressed. Bone spurs may grow on the vertebrae of the spine. Discs in between vertebrae may deteriorate and misalign along the spine. All of these natural aging occurrences can cause the spinal canal to narrow and a nerve root or the spinal cord to be impacted.

Some of the most common spine conditions that cause spinal stenosis are as follows:

• Bone spurs
• Herniated disc
• Bulging disc
• Spondylolisthesis

If you have been diagnosed with any of these spine conditions, you might want to consult your physician about the possibility of your condition causing spinal stenosis.

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If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for spinal stenosis disability was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

A spinal cord injury and disability can be devastating, but it does not have to ruin your life financially. You may be entitled to private or employer-sponsored disability insurance.

A spinal cord injury disability occurs when someone suffers from the loss of function, mobility or feeling in the body. As a victim of spinal cord damage, you have much at stake. It is likely you are rendered disabled to some degree, if not entirely. Some who suffer from back and spine disorders can continue working, but many lose their ability to function in the workplace altogether.

The spine, also called the vertebral column or the spinal column, is a collection of flexible bones that surround the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that extend from the base of the brain down the center of a person’s back, to the waist. Nerves within the spinal cord carry nerve impulses – messages – to and from the brain to the rest of the body.

The brain and the spinal cord make up the Central Nervous System. When the spinal cord is injured, impulses from the brain can no longer travel through the damaged area, stopping the flow of information between the brain and certain parts of the body.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury Disability

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can occur under a variety of circumstances. Common causes are car accidents, work-related accidents, sports accidents, and medical negligence or malpractice.

Spinal cord injury disability results in the following disabling conditions:

• Paralysis
• Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs, also called tetraplegia)
• Paraplegia (complete paralysis of the lower half of the body)
• Loss of sensation
• Breathing Difficulties
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Bowel Dysfunction
• Bladder Dysfunction

These injuries change you and your family’s lives forever. You may require wheelchair access and other modifications to your home or vehicle, and around the clock care for many or all of your activities of daily living.

Emergency Signs and Symptoms

Emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident may include:

• Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back
• Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body
• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty with balance and walking
• Impaired breathing after injury
• An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back

Levels of Spinal Cord Disability

Spinal cord injuries are referred to as either complete or incomplete:

• A complete SCI is when the body has no function – the injured person is completely immobile – below the level of the injury, and both sides of the body are affected equally.
• An incomplete SCI means there is some functioning below the level of the injury. The injured person can feel parts of the body that are immobile, or they can move one limb more than another.

Contact Us Today

If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for spinal cord injury disability was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

For people suffering from sickle cell disease, disabilities materialize in various ways including periods of pain that affect their bones, muscles, organs or the nervous system. This renders many sickle cell victims unable to work and live a normal, functioning life.

Sickle cell disability creates financial hardships when people afflicted with the disease are forced to give up their jobs. Financial distress may be relieved by filing claims with the Social Security Disability program, and in some cases through an employer’s group insurance plan or a private disability insurance policy.

If you have filed a disability claim to any of these programs or to your disability insurance company and your claim was wrongly denied, we can help. Our firm has represented thousands of disabled individuals from coast to coast, and we know what it takes to get a favorable outcome.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease in which the red blood cells are defective. Specifically, the hemoglobin in the cells is abnormal. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissue throughout the body.

Sickle cell disease essentially deprives the red blood cells of oxygen. This causes the cells take on a rigid sickle, or crescent, shape. As a result, the cells cannot pass through blood vessels and organs. Blockage occurs, causing severe pain episodes known as sickle-cell crisis.

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. If you have SCD, there is a problem with your hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. With SCD, the hemoglobin forms into stiff rods within the red blood cells. This changes the shape of the red blood cells. The cells are supposed to be disc-shaped, but this changes them into a crescent, or sickle, shape.

The sickle-shaped cells are not flexible and cannot change shape easily. Many of them burst apart as they move through your blood vessels. The sickle cells usually only last 10 to 20 days, instead of the normal 90 to 120 days. Your body may have trouble making enough new cells to replace the ones that you lost. Because of this, you may not have enough red blood cells. This is a condition called anemia, and it can make you feel tired.

The sickle-shaped cells can also stick to vessel walls, causing a blockage that slows or stops the flow of blood. When this happens, oxygen can’t reach nearby tissues. The lack of oxygen can cause attacks of sudden, severe pain, called pain crises. These attacks can occur without warning. If you get one, you might need to go to the hospital for treatment.

What Causes Sickle Cell Disease?

The cause of SCD is a defective gene, called a sickle cell gene. People with the disease are born with two sickle cell genes, one from each parent.

If you are born with one sickle cell gene, it’s called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy, but they can pass the defective gene on to their children.

The Effects of Sickle Cell Disease Disability

Sickle cell causes the body to suffer organ damage due to lack of oxygen. Many complications of sickle cell disease result from organ damage, including pain crisis, anemia, severe bacterial infections, high blood pressure, jaundice, gallstones, lung tissue damage, and stroke.

Sickle-cell anemia can affect anyone, however it generally affects people of African descent, as well as Hispanics, Asians, and individuals of Native American, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. About fifty percent of people with sickle cell anemia live past age 50.

At the present time, there is no cure for sickle cell disease with the rare exception of bone marrow transplantation. Treatment options typically include pain management, medications, and blood transfusions.

Claiming LTD Insurance for Sickle Cell Disability

When an insurer wrongfully denies benefits for disabilities caused by sickle cell disease, we can step in and help you fight back.

In contrast to claiming federal disability benefits, long-term disability (LTD) benefits are obtained from a privately purchased insurance plan or an employer’s group disability plan. The overall aspects of filing an LTD claim are different because you are dealing with an insurance company that is a for-profit business. The decision maker deciding whether your sickle cell disables you from working, or not, is the insurance company.

Some disability insurance companies handle their claims fairly and reliably. However, there are a number of companies that do not. Insurers take advantage of the inexperience of claimants in order to deny or delay a claim.

If your insurance company uses tactics that seem unfair or unusual, we strongly encourage you to seek the advice of a qualified disability attorney. An administrative appeal may be available to you, which can result in having the claim approved.

Contact Us Today

If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for sickle cell disability was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

Millions of Americans are affected by a Seizure disorder. The symptoms of seizure disorders very greatly from individual to individual, depending on the underlying cause of the seizures. In many cases, symptoms of seizure disorders are so severe that the person afflicted with the condition is unable to work. Long-term disability insurance companies are particularly indifferent to people with seizure disorders. This indifference seems to stem from their belief that most people with seizure disorders can hold down a job and provide for themselves. This often results in the denial of claims for people with seizure disorders.

If you are filed a long-term disability claim due to your seizure disorder and it has been denied, call us. We take on the big insurance companies and fight for the benefits you deserve.

How Seizures Can Disrupt a Person’s Abilities

Most seizures are due to a neurological condition causing a disruption of normal electrical brain activity. The result of this disruption can range from complete loss of consciousness to a slight fainting spell. Falling, violent jerking or twitching, drooling, muscle stiffness, or complete muscular rigidity are all characteristic of seizure disorders. Seizures can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, often leaving seizure patients with severe headaches, confusion, fatigue, and muscle soreness. Often people with seizure disorders suffer head injuries, bruises, cuts, and broken bones as a result of falling or violence convulsions.

Treatment for Seizure Disorders

Medication and other treatments for seizure disorders can be effective and reduce or eliminate the occurrences of seizures for many people. However, for some people the symptoms of their seizure disorder are severe enough that even with medication they cannot work, operate a vehicle or even take public transportation without assistance. Clearly, earning a living for someone who has developed a seizure condition is challenging at best and impossible at worst.

Types of Seizure Disorders

In some cases, people may experience only one seizure in their lifetime. A single seizure or in frequent seizures may not qualify as a disabling seizure disorder. However, when a person has chronic recurring seizures, combined with an inability to work due to seizures, they will likely qualify for long-term disability benefits.

Common Causes Of Seizure Disorders:

• Epilepsy (the most common cause of seizure disability)
• Stroke
• Meningitis or other infection involving brain tissue
• Traumatic brain injury
• Low blood sugar
• Kidney or liver failure
• Low sodium in the blood
• Low levels of calcium
• Brain tumor
• Birth defects
• Heredity
• Environmental hazards

Long Term Disability Claims for Seizure Disorder

Long-term disability claims for seizure disorders are routinely denied by insurance carriers who argue that the seizure disorder is not truly disabling. If you and your doctor have determined that you cannot work as a result of a seizure disorder, and your long-term disability insurance carrier has denied your claim, call us immediately. The sooner you get a long-term disability insurance attorney working for you, the sooner you will begin receiving benefits from your long-term disability insurance. Don’t try to take on the big insurance by yourself. We take on the big insurance companies for you and fight till we get the benefits you deserve.

Contact Us Today

If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for seizure disability was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

Schizophrenia is a terrible disease that strikes many people in their late teens and early 20s. Schizophrenia can make it impossible for someone to have normal relationships and find gainful employment. You or a loved one may have worked for a few years prior to being diagnosed with schizophrenia. During that time, you may have paid into a long-term disability insurance plan that was intended to provide for your needs if you were to become disabled. Now schizophrenia has rendered you unable to work and you have filed a claim with your long-term disability insurance carrier, only for it to be denied.

If this is happened to you, or someone you love, don’t be a victim of the insurance company. If your long-term disability claim due to schizophrenia has been denied, call us. We won’t let the insurance company push you around. We fight for our clients until they get the benefits they deserve.

About Schizophrenia Disability

Schizophrenia is a disabling psychiatric disorder that affects about 1% of Americans. The symptoms generally fall under three categories:

• Positive symptoms: The person has psychotic behaviors that cause them to lose touch with reality, including hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and more rarely, movement disorders. (DSM IV)
• Negative symptoms: The person experiences disruption of normal emotions and behaviors. Symptoms include a “flat affect” (where the person speaks in a monotonous voice, or their face does not move), lack of pleasure of normal life, inability to motivate, little or no speaking, and neglect of personal hygiene and other self-help. (DSM IV)
• Cognitive symptoms: The person is unable to understand information and use information in decision-making; they cannot pay attention and have trouble with working memory and using information they have just learned. Although these symptoms may be subtle on the surface, the disorder can severely impede the person’s ability to make a living and handle everyday tasks. (DSM IV)

Sometimes the medical evidence presents a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, where the individual shows symptoms of schizophrenia as well as symptoms of “affective” (mood) disorders – such as bipolar disorder. (DSM IV)

What Is Schizophrenia?

There is no cure for schizophrenia, at best schizophrenia can be managed with medication. The effectiveness of the medication varies greatly from individual to individual. It is often difficult to keep a schizophrenic patient on their treatment plan due to the side effects of the medication. Schizophrenic patients will simply stop taking their medication believing that they can handle or control their condition. Schizophrenia is a serious mental condition that almost always qualifies for long-term disability benefits, but insurance companies routinely deny schizophrenic patients what they are entitled to receive.

Schizophrenia most often presents itself between the ages of 20 and 45 and primarily affects men but can sometimes also affect women. Schizophrenia can be a progressive type disease, starting slowly but gradually affecting every area of the schizophrenic patient’s life. Due to the symptoms of schizophrenia, schizophrenic patients often find it impossible to carry on normal relationships or to work, but beyond that, without proper treatment, schizophrenic patients will lose touch with reality altogether. Schizophrenic patients will you unable to plan their day, dress themselves, engage in normal conversations, and will likely find no need for proper hygiene. Many homeless people on the streets were once productive members of society before being afflicted with schizophrenia. Now robbed of their connection to reality, they wander aimlessly in the street in their own alternate reality. Sadly, many of these schizophrenic homeless people, may have had long-term disability insurance that could have helped them get the treatment they need, but they were denied their benefits and did not seek out the assistance of a long-term disability insurance attorney.

Causes of Schizophrenia

At this time, no one knows for sure what causes schizophrenia. Medical researchers believe that schizophrenia is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Neurological studies of people with schizophrenia also show multiple abnormalities in the brain. These factors, combined with an apparent genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, are likely the cause of the disease. So many factors and variables are involved with schizophrenic patients, it is likely that there is no single cause to schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia Disability Claims and Long Term Disability Insurance Denials

Insurance company employee doctors and other medical experts to review the records of schizophrenic patients who have filed claims for long-term disability. The job of an insurance company doctor is to find cause to deny long-term disability claims for schizophrenia. Long-term disability claims for schizophrenic patients are often filed and pursued by family members of the person with schizophrenia. The schizophrenic person themselves are not typically able to file in deal with such a complicated claims process. The family of a schizophrenic patient is often adjusting to dealing with their schizophrenic loved one during the time that a long-term disability claim for schizophrenia is filed. This may result in some minor deficiency in the initial claim, a missed deadline, or other curable defects in the claim process. However, the insurance company will capitalize on any defect possible to deny your long-term disability claim for schizophrenia.

If your long-term disability claim for schizophrenia has been denied, call us. We take on big insurance companies every day. We fight for our clients until they get the benefits they deserve.

Contact Us Today

If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for schizophrenia was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

Post-traumatic stress disorder disability affects millions of Americans, both veteran and civilian. PTSD can affect anyone who has lived through or witnessed a traumatic event such as:

• The horrors of war and combat
• Terrorist attacks, such as the 9/11 World Trade Center attack
• A disaster such as a riot, fire, or hurricane
• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Surviving a catastrophic injury
• Violent crime such as shootings or murder

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD is a type of severe anxiety disorder. Research has indicated that PTSD can actually damage the brain, where stress can cause the brain to atrophy as well as result in neural death of some areas of the brain.

Living with post-traumatic stress disorder disability can be crippling. The disorder can destroy your quality of life and your ability to provide for your family.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Rage and anger
• Depression or anxiety
• Flashbacks of traumatic events, nightmares
• Avoiding reminders of the experience
• Memory problems
• Insomnia
• Feeling “on edge” or being easily startled
• Overwhelming guilt or worry
• Feeling emotionally numb

Claiming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Disability on a LTD Insurance Policy

Disability insurance companies often take advantage of an unrepresented PTSD claimant, causing the claim to be denied, delayed or terminated.

Because PTSD is typically not recognized by victims right after the stressful event, and worsens over time, they often try to adjust to (or hide from) their problems. They may continue to work, at first without extreme difficulty.

As time goes by, the seriousness of their impairment becomes evident. Yet this gives the insurance company incentive to reject the claim since the claimant was working after the stressor event.

Many long-term disability policies are written by their insurance providers with wording subtly meant to reinforce denial. Most policies state that the insurance company has discretion to determine the award of benefits. Many policies try to fit disability benefits for PTSD under a 24-month limitation.

Other common contract language ambiguously states that benefits will be awarded only if you cannot perform “each and every” important task of your job.

Just because your insurance company denied your claim for post-traumatic stress disorder disability – does not mean they have won. Do not let them intimidate you. Their “decision” of your claim does not mean it is final; it is just what they hope you will think.

We have significant experience in disability insurance law for policies that were privately purchased, or issued through an employer group policy and subject to ERISA law. Talk with us to see how we can help secure the disability benefits you deserve.

Contact Us Today

Proper presentation of your claim, consultation with treating physicians, medical records and other relevant information is essential. We are prepared to fight for your right to the long term disability insurance benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

Even if your doctors have diagnosed you as having Parkinson’s disease, you still may be challenged by the insurance company. Insurers may send you endless notices that they need more time, or continually request more information, hoping you will give up. They may deny your long-term disability insurance benefits altogether.

Most insurance companies hire their own doctors to review patients’ claims without ever meeting the claimant or performing an examination. Any small piece of evidence that supports denying the claim, such as the opinion of an in-house doctor, becomes ammunition for open-ended clauses in the policy that would support a denial of the claim.

Insurance companies may also charge that there is not enough evidence to support a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease disability and deny the claim on the basis that you are able to return to work.

If you have been wrongly denied benefits for Parkinson’s disease under a disability plan through your job, as ERISA claim attorneys we can help you take legal action. Our firm focuses in this area of the law; we know what is required to prove a claim.

If your private insurance company denies your claim, we can help you fight back. A thorough knowledge of long-term disability law is necessary to prevail in these types of claims.

About Parkinson’s Disease Disability

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that interferes with the ability to walk, talk or engage in even simple activities. In severe cases, Parkinson’s causes the complete loss of effective movement of the limbs.

Parkinson’s symptoms include:

• Uncontrollable tremors or trembling in the hands, arms, head, face and legs
• Stiffness of the arms, legs and upper body
• Changes in speech
• Impaired balance
• Coordination problems

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, meaning these symptoms will worsen over time. In many cases, Parkinson’s symptoms become so severe that the patient can no longer go about his or her everyday activities. Further effects of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Insomnia
• Depression
• Dementia
• Urinary incontinence or inability to urinate
• Loss of ability to chew and swallow

Medications used to help those living with Parkinson’s disease cause an additional set of complications for the patient, with severely disruptive side effects.

The cause remains largely unknown. Although there is no cure, treatment options vary and include medications and surgery. While Parkinson’s itself is not fatal, disease complications can be serious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rated complications from PD as the 14th cause of death in the United States.

Parkinson’s disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.

Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include:

• Tremor. A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You may a rub your thumb and forefinger back-and-forth, known as a pill-rolling tremor. Your hand may tremor when it’s at rest.
• Slowed movement (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson’s disease may slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.
• Rigid muscles. Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.
• Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson’s disease.
• Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
• Speech changes. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.
• Writing changes. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

Contact Us Today

Proper presentation of your claim, consultation with treating physicians, medical records and other relevant information is essential. We are prepared to fight for your right to the long term disability insurance benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers represents individuals whose long term disability claims for Meniere’s disease disability have been denied. We are familiar with the way insurance companies consider these claims. We can help you prove to your insurance provider (and the court) that you truly are dealing with an issue that prevents you from working

By their very nature, these claims are difficult to prove. Due to the intermittent aspects of the disease, insurers rarely consider this to be a truly disabling condition. Without a rock-solid claim, insurers can dismiss Meniere’s disease because it is “temporary” and not a long term disability.

At the same time, most claims examiners have no experience with Meniere’s disease, and do not understand its disabling consequences.

How Meniere’s Disease Can Affect You

Meniere’s disease generally affects only one ear. It most commonly develops between the ages of 20 and 50 years, but can occur at any age. While certain symptoms can be temporarily relieved or lessened, Meniere’s disease is considered to be a chronic condition.

Symptoms include:

• Recurring episodes of vertigo (spinning sensation and dizziness).
• Hearing loss that may come and go, often resulting in permanent loss of hearing
• Fluctuating episodes of tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ear)
• Recurring feeling of fullness or pressure within the ear

Those patients experiencing rotational vertigo may also suffer severe nausea and vomiting. People with Meniere’s disease can experience recurring symptoms weeks apart, or years apart. Sometimes, symptoms disappear completely.

Erratic and increasing bouts of vertigo and the chance of permanent hearing loss can be the most devastating aspects of Meniere’s disease. The disease can severely interrupt your life, plus generate additional disorders including fatigue, emotional stress, depression and anxiety.

Causes of Meniere’s Disease

There is no definitive cause of Meniere’s disease. Physicians attribute the condition to a combination of factors, the main cause being a buildup of fluid in the chamber of the inner ear.

Other factors that may contribute to Meniere’s disease include:

• allergies
• anatomic abnormalities
• genetics
• head trauma
• improper fluid drainage
• migraines

The medical name of Meniere’s disease is idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), nearly 615,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, with 45,500 new cases being diagnosed each year.

We Overcome the Difficulties of Meniere’s Disease Disability Insurance Claims

Many medical conditions have the same symptoms as Meniere’s disease. For this reason, the disease is not solely diagnosed based on its symptoms. Also, there is no one definitive test for Meniere’s. Therefore, what follows is a differential diagnosis with diagnostic tests.

Our attorneys will base your appeal on the definition of disability under your policy. We will establish an accurate description of the actual job requirements your occupation entails, so you can prove that you cannot perform those job requirements due to your Meniere’s disease disability.

We may demonstrate through residual functional capacity assessment that the symptoms of Meniere’s disease significantly impair you in a way that makes it impossible for you to work.

We will develop a complete medical history and physical examination. This includes proper diagnosis, clearly presenting all essential medical testing as performed by qualified experts in this field—such as otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat), audiologist and neurologist.

Testing generally includes:

• Hearing tests (audiometry) – to verify hearing loss. The test evaluates how you hear sounds at different pitches and volumes. Patients with Meniere’s disease have problems detecting low frequencies and mingled low and high frequencies.
• Electrocochleography (ECOG) – to measure the cochlea’s (a part of the inner ear) response to sound stimulation.
• Vestibular (balance) assessment – Possibly the most devastating part of Meniere’s disease is recurring, severe vertigo. In between episodes, some patients have ongoing balance problems. A host of tests may be performed assessing inner ear function and balance issues.
• Blood work, MRI and other tests – may be performed to eliminate other disorders that present the same symptoms as Meniere’s disease.

Contact Us Today

The battle with insurance companies is a never ending one. This is especially true with Meniere’s disease disability insurance claims.

Meniere’s disease is a chronic, incurable disorder of the inner ear. Victims of this disease experience periodic episodes of severe dizziness and spinning, fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and feelings of pressure within the ear. Sounds at certain pitches may seem garbled and cause irritation. Over time, hearing loss can become permanent. It is essential to have a disability lawyer who understands this disorder work with you to help you get the benefits you need and deserve.

We are prepared to fight for your right to the long term disability insurance benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

Paralysis is the loss or deterioration of motor function in one or more muscle groups. Paralysis victims can no longer voluntarily control body movements. If you suffer from paralysis, it likely has made a devastating impact on your life, including your ability to hold down a job.

Paralysis is often the result of spinal cord injuries. Disease and other conditions such as stroke may also impair neuromuscular function. Advanced forms of paralysis include:

• Paraplegia: Weakness or paralysis of both legs
• Quadriplegia: Weakness or paralysis of both arms and both legs. Due to the severity of quadriplegia, paraplegia and other paralytic conditions, many paralysis victims require permanent total disability.

Causes

There are several possible reasons that one may experience temporary or permanent paralysis. It is usually as a results of damage to the spinal cord or other parts of the nervous system and associated with:

• Stroke
• Trauma
• Poliomyelitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Botulism
• Spina bifida
• Multiple sclerosis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Additionally, some medications may impact the function of the nerves and in rare cases have the potential to cause paralysis.

It is common for paralysis to result in several secondary health conditions. Particularly urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence are known to affect many people who are affected by paralysis. Additionally, there is an increase in sexual frustration for both men and women.

Pressure ulcers may also occur, as a result of excessive pressure placed on particular tissues in the body.

Many people also experiences psychological effects as a result of the changes related to paralysis. Depression is very common as individuals are often unable to live life as they were accustomed to doing and adjusting to this change can be difficult.

Claiming Paralysis Disability on an LTD Insurance Policy

Many insurance carriers doggedly fight to keep their costs low by denying critical coverage. Because paralysis disability claims can imply serious care needs with high, long-term expense, insurance companies may avoid approving disability benefits that are available with the policy.

You may be unsure of the benefits available within the ambiguous language in your policy. Do not depend on your insurance carrier to act in your best interest.

You don’t have to accept their denial. When the insurance company shuts its eyes on your paralysis and the significant problems and challenges in your life, we will step in and stand up for your rights.

As disability attorneys, we are keenly aware of the strategies used by insurance companies to delay and deny payment on claims, no matter how valid the claim may be. We will know exactly what is needed to file an effective appeal.

We will also anticipate the arguments the insurance companies will use to defend their decision to deny your claim.

Contact Us Today

We understand the devastating nature of paralysis, and we are dedicated to helping victims of this impairment receive maximum compensation.

If your claim for long term disability insurance benefits for Paralysis was denied, you need an experienced attorney to get you the benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.

We represent disability insurance claimants all over the United States and deal routinely with the “big deniers” of group and individual LTD insurance.

At the center of the retina is a small area called the macula. It is comprised of light-sensitive tissue bordering the back of the eye. It is the macula that is gives us detailed, exact vision, enabling us to read, see color, perform detailed work, recognize a face and see faraway objects.

Edema means there is swelling caused by fluid retention.

Macular edema is like a blister of excess fluid in the macula. It occurs when blood vessels in the retina are leaking fluids, causing swelling of the retina. The macula cannot work correctly when it is swollen. Loss of vision may range from mild to severe. The worse the swelling, the more disabling the visual distortion becomes.

Chronic macular edema can lead to irreversible damage and permanent loss of vision. Peripheral (side) vision may remain undamaged.

What Causes Macular Edema?

Macular edema is commonly caused by diseases that damage blood vessels in the retina. It often occurs as a complication of diabetic retinopathy and is the most common form of vision loss for people with diabetes.

Other causes of macular edema include:

• After-effects of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the white of the eye)
• Retinal vein occlusion (obstruction of the veins that transport blood away from the retina)
• Hereditary diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa)
• Eye tumors
• Trauma

Proving Long-Term Disability for Macular Edema

By researching all available medical documentation, vocational assessments and physicians’ statements – applying further functional or medical assessments as needed – we will develop a comprehensive appeal to help you prove your macular edema disability case and secure the benefits you deserve.

Because this condition develops within the retina, diagnosis may include testing called fluorescein angiography to demonstrate leaking blood vessels.

Another procedure called optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be used to produce images of your retina to detect swelling, the presence of fluid and the thickness of the retina.

But overturning a denial decision for vision loss requires much more than a diagnosis. Approval or denial of your claim will be based on the extent to which you demonstrate you are functionally unable to work.

Contact Us Today

If your insurance company has wrongly denied your claim for macular edema disability, or you have questions about the disability claim process for vision loss, we urge you to contact us.

At the law firm of Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers we understand the many difficulties macular edema can bring, and your need to obtain long term disability benefits. Vision loss from macular edema threatens your ability to engage in a host of daily activities such as working, driving, reading, and a multitude of routine and simple tasks, and can ultimately lead to blindness.

We are prepared to fight for your right to the long term disability insurance benefits you deserve. Call Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers without delay, for a free evaluation of your claim: 800-249-3731.