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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

ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects the body's nervous system. It attacks the nerve cells that control your body's voluntary muscles. Even though the disease is debilitating and there is no cure, insurance companies still require adequate documentation to support your disability claim. Because many symptoms are subjective, you'll have to demonstrate how you are disabled due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). If you have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, speak to a long-term disability lawyer at CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC to find out whether you qualify for ALS disability benefits. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of ALS? The early symptoms of ALS and its rate of progression are different for everyone. Symptoms may begin in the arms, hands, or legs and spread to other…Read More

A functional capacity evaluation is an objective way to provide information about your disability to your insurance provider or physician. It may help you with your disability benefits claim because the evaluation measures your physical abilities and limitations. The FCE is not appropriate for visual or hearing injuries or cognitive issues. It's a series of tests that measure your range of motion, motor skills, balance, muscle weakness, difficulty maneuvering, and pain levels. An Ocala FL long-term disability attorney can advise you as to what to expect at an FCE and how it could impact your claim. Contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today to learn more. What Happens During the Evaluation? A medical professional, such as an occupational therapist or a physician specializing in rehabilitation or occupational…Read More

Because many symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome are subjective, proving disability can be quite difficult. In order to increase the likelihood of receiving an approval for long term disability benefits, it's important to know how to substantiate your CRPS disability claim. An Ocala FL LTD attorney at CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC can help you ensure that you have the documentation necessary for your claim. Contact us today to learn more. What Is CRPS? CRPS is a chronic disease affecting the sympathetic nervous system — the part of your nervous system that controls your fight-or-flight response. The disease affects more women than men and can cause such debilitating pain it can interfere with your quality of life, ability to work, and your mental health. Documenting the Symptoms…Read More

Does short-term disability cover pre-existing conditions? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of condition, length of time you've had the condition and its prognosis. Disability insurance coverage is different than health insurance when it comes to pre-existing conditions. The purpose of disability insurance, whether long or short-term, is to protect your income when you're sick or injured. You'll pay a premium, either monthly or yearly, for coverage. The amount you pay depends on your general health and lifestyle, your age, the amount of insurance coverage you want, and the duration of the coverage. What Is a Pre-Existing Condition? In the insurance business, a pre-existing condition is any medical issue, illness, injury, or chronic condition, which…Read More

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you know the importance of access to irritable bowel syndrome disability benefits. IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine and interferes with the digestive system. Up to 50% of visits to a gastroenterologist are related to IBS. While the disease is more prevalent in women than men, the types of debilitating symptoms are the same for everyone. What Are Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Symptoms of IBS include severe abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Sufferers may also experience anxiety and stress related to managing the disease. Other systems in your body can be affected by IBS, including: urination, fatigue, headaches, joint or muscle aches, and even halitosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome.…Read More

You may think it's just another bug bite, but tick bites can be dangerous. Tick-born Lyme disease can manifest in a variety of physical and mental symptoms, which may vary from relatively mild to disabling. Unfortunately, many cases of the disease go undiagnosed because the symptoms can mimic other illnesses. Learn more about Lyme disease long-term disability benefits below. Symptoms of Lyme Disease Symptoms of Lyme disease are unpredictable and can be physical, mental, or a combination of the two. Physical symptoms include fatigue, joint swelling, fever, widespread pain, and weakness. Mental symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, panic attacks, anxiety, and even delusions. Not everyone will have mental symptoms, but like physical symptoms, they can vary from barely perceptible to debilitating. Symptoms of Lyme disease treated with antibiotics usually resolve themselves. If…Read More

Workers diagnosed with cancer usually have access to long-term disability benefits for cancer treatment through their employers, but a diagnosis of cancer does not guarantee your claim for benefits will be granted. Long-term disability policies vary. And the type of cancer, its severity, and treatment options are all a consideration during the benefits approval process. For example, individuals with early-stage cancer may not qualify for long-term disability benefits. But they may be eligible for short-term disability benefits. Your Chance of Getting Benefits May Depend on the Stage of Cancer Cancer is categorized in stages. Stages refer to the size of the cancerous tumor and how widespread the disease is in the body. Stage 1 cancer is defined as an abnormal…Read More

The lasting effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) call for a strong support network. And multiple sclerosis disability benefits should be part of your network. Advances in the study and treatment of MS are causes for hope in the future. In the meantime, resources are available to help you create your own brighter future. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that effects almost a million Americans. The disease attacks the central nervous system impairing the ability of signals to get from the brain to other parts of the body. In addition to the nervous system, MS also affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. While MS affects individuals of all ages, the majority of people are diagnosed with MS between…Read More