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Bipolar disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and can result in extreme mood changes from depression to euphoria. Both men and women can experience bipolar disorder, and it can begin at any age. Eighty-five percent of people with bipolar disorder have a family history of depression. Your insurance company may be aware of the symptoms, but is bipolar disorder a disability that can qualify you for long-term disability benefits? Yes it is. Symptoms of bipolar disorder fluctuate, interfere with your ability to work, and can cause problems in personal relationships. If you decide to file a disability claim keep these tips in mind. Bipolar Disorder Episodes Can Be Manic or Depressive During a bipolar disorder episode,…Read More

When you file a claim for long-term disability benefits, your insurance company will look for objective proof of your disability. A neuropsychological evaluation is the best way to provide your insurance company with an objective assessment of your cognitive or psychological disability and can be a valuable part of your claim. The severity of symptoms and how symptoms manifestation themselves vary greatly even among individuals with the same disability. Types of Claims That Could Benefit From a Neuropsychological Evaluation If you have one of these conditions, you may want to consider having a neuropsychological evaluation: Organic brain disorders Brain injuries Brain tumor or cyst Dementia Stroke Epilepsy or seizures Multiple Sclerosis Alzheimer's disease Meniere's, Huntington's, or Parkinson's disease Lyme disease (or other similar illnesses) Chronic Pain Insomnia Sleep…Read More

If you have ever experienced numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness in your fingers, hands, or arms, you know how debilitating carpal tunnel syndrome can be. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops as a result of repetitive movements, usually related to work. The condition can progress to such an extent that you may consider your options for long-term disability benefits. But can you get disability for carpal tunnel syndrome? The short answer is yes. And there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits. To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome long-term disability benefits, contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today. Document Your Symptoms and Provide Proof of Diagnosis Whenever you file a disability claim, the…Read More

If you are disabled and are collecting benefits from either an individual or group insurance disability policy, you'll be required by your insurance company to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Why? Because insurance companies can reduce the amount they pay for LTD benefits when you collect Social Security benefits. So how does long-term disability work with Social Security disability? At CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC, we can help answer your questions and provide you with valuable legal advice. Contact us today. What Is an Offset? You file a long-term disability claim from your insurance company. The amount of your LTD benefit is $2,000 per month. Your insurance company will require you to file for Social Security LTD benefits. Social Security will…Read More

You may have one or more types of limitations which make it difficult or impossible to perform the activities necessary for your job. If your disability restricts your physical movement or ability to sit, stand, or carry objects, it is an exertional limitation. The inability to perform functions such as typing or writing are nonexertional limitations. The insurance company will examine what you can do and determine if there's a job you can perform. They will also look at activities you cannot perform and will rule out the jobs you are unable to do. The information culminating from the review of both types of limitations is called a residual functional capacity (RFC) report. To determine whether you qualify for long-term disability benefits, the…Read More

If you filed a long-term disability claim and were denied, don't give up hope. You can, and should, appeal a long-term disability insurance denial. Below, we outline steps to build the best case for your appeal. To learn more, speak to an Ocala FL long-term disability attorney at CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today. 1. Make Sure Your Appeal Is Comprehensive Filing an administrative appeal may be your last chance to include information to support your case. If you leave something out, you may not be able to add anything for future litigation. 2. Pay Attention to the Appeal Deadline You have 180 days to file an appeal. Take this deadline seriously. If you miss the date, the insurance company and the court may refuse…Read More

What situations trigger a termination of long-term disability benefits? Below, we discuss some red flags that make insurance companies take notice. Being aware of these red flags can help you avoid losing the benefits that are so important to you and your family. To learn more about what you can do to help you protect your ongoing benefits, contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today. 1. Inconsistencies in Your Disability File It's all about the details. Little things can cause the insurance company to question the validity of your claim. For example, if you report to the insurance company that you never go shopping alone and your doctor reports that occasionally you shop alone, that's a red flag. Coordinate the information you submit with…Read More

Is Tinnitus a disability? Yes. Tinnitus can be a long-term, debilitating condition even with treatment. It may take some effort to get past the barriers some insurance companies place in your path, but an Ocala FL LTD attorney can help you improve your chances of receiving long-term disability benefits for tinnitus. Here's what to know before applying. What Is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is a condition characterized by noises in one or both ears and may be a ringing, buzzing, clicking, or hissing sound. The noise can be low or high pitch and the symptoms can be severe. Inability to concentrate or to follow conversations, poor memory, loss of sleep, extreme fatigue, anxiety, and depression can result from tinnitus. In addition to noise, tinnitus…Read More

Huntington's disease is a rare genetic condition that causes a breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain. The disease usually manifests itself in middle age, but it can develop in younger people as well. Once the symptoms appear, they progress rapidly. Unfortunately, the younger the person is when the disease strikes, the more quickly it progresses. Below, we explain what you need to know before filing a Huntington's disease disability benefit claim. For more information, contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today. Explaining Your Progressive Symptoms Your insurance company may question why you were able to work prior to your disability claim. Since Huntington's disease is different for everyone, it is important to document the progression of the disease and…Read More

Keeping long-term disability benefit applicants or recipients under surveillance is one way insurance companies try to avoid paying disability claims. And unfortunately, it works pretty well. Every year, insurance companies deny disability benefits using surveillance evidence. Conducting surveillance allows insurance companies to save thousands of dollars a year. So they will look for evidence that contradicts your disability claim, and you may be surprised how far an insurance company will go to collect that evidence. Below, we discuss insurance company surveillance tactics used to deny long-term disability benefits, and what you can do to protect yourself. To learn more, contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today. 1. A Background Check May Be in Your Future Insurance companies typically hire an outside,…Read More