What Injuries Will Get You Long-Term Disability Benefits?

You get long-term disability insurance when your short-term disability, sick leave, benefits, and Earned Income are exhausted. Long-term disability tends to pay up to 60-70% of what you were earning before you were injured. The benefits are designed to pay for normal living expenses. You’re expected to pay for medical treatment and rehab with long-term disability insurance.

You don’t necessarily need to have been in an accident to qualify for long-term disability. You can get it with any one of a number of medical conditions. You need to know what these are since you may be entitled to disability benefits.

Different companies define disability differently. However, long-term disability policies tend to provide benefits regardless of the injuries you have sustained or the illnesses you have. Long-term disability claims tend to use two definitions of disability to determine if you need benefits in two ways:

• You are permanently disabled or ill and are unable to work in any occupation
• You can’t work in your own occupation for a period of two years.

You should always read your disability insurance policy to determine how your company defines disability and if you need to take any tests to qualify.

Illnesses or Injuries that will get you LTD

You may need to apply for LTD because you got into an accident. But you can also qualify if you have sustained a temporary or chronic illness. That said, some LTD policies won’t cover certain illnesses and certain injuries related to accidents. You will probably be covered if you suffer from one or more of the following:

• Myofascial pain
• Fibromyalgia
• All types of arthritis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Post-surgical pain
• fractures/broken bones
• Degenerative disc disease/spondylosis
• Bulging discs
• Nerve root impairment/sciatica/radiculopathy
• Brain injuries
• Adjustment disorder
• Major depression
• Anxiety
• OCD
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Diabetes
• Neurological disorders
• Cancer

Options if Your LTD Claim was Denied

You may find your claim either outright denied or you may find yourself low balled if you’ve submitted an LTD claim in the past. Turn to injury lawyers in those instances. Most law firms have the experienced injury lawyers in London who will help you fight the insurance companies and get you the settlement money that you want, deserve, and need!

“Own Occupation” Disability

Some contracts have the term own occupation. What this means is that you’re unable to perform work in your own occupation, but you can perform some sort of work. When you’re totally disabled, you’re unable to work at all.

You may want to get help in understanding the terms of your contract. The terms can be confusing, so when in doubt, consult with your attorney. Just remember that a slight misunderstanding of the terms on your part may result in your claim being denied.The company will assess the following for you:

• Your eligibility
• Your level of function
• The medical treatment that’s appropriate for you

Just remember that you may want to have a lawyer answer your questions since a plan administrator can and will use your questions against you at a later date.