Crohn’s Disease and Long-Term Disability
If you have Crohn’s disease, and it has progressed to the point that you cannot work, it is time to consider long-term disability (LTD). Crohn’s Disease and long-term disability payments will allow you to remain at home while you manage your condition.
It is important to understand that you will not automatically be granted long-term disability when you have Crohn’s disease. The insurance companies often like to overlook this as a chronic condition. You will have to build a case, and you will most likely need the assistance of a lawyer to help you secure your claim.
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a serious medical condition that is just now starting to be understood. Crohn’s is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any intestine part. This disorder affects each person differently and can get progressively worse over time. Crohn’s causes the lining of the intestines to become inflamed and irritated. The result is pain and diarrhea that cannot be treated with over-the-counter medications and often result in anemia and malnutrition because nutrients from food are not being absorbed.
Anyone who suffers from this disease can find it impossible to work or complete household chores during a flare-up because of the pain’s intensity and the constant need for the bathroom.
Applying for Long-Term Disability
The first thing that you must begin your Crohn’s disease and long-term disability claim is to officially diagnose your condition. You may know that you have this condition because of the symptoms you experience or because it is prevalent in other family members. However, you must have an official diagnosis of this disease to start the application for disability benefits.
The next thing that you will need to do is start building a file on how Crohn’s impacts your life and prevents you from working. This is where you will benefit most from the assistance of a lawyer.
If you have been managing Crohn’s for a period of time, and it has now progressed to make it impossible for you to work, you must document the progression. If you are newly diagnosed with the condition and are having a difficult time managing the condition, you must show these facts. You must also show the treatments you are undergoing and if your body responds to these treatments and allows the condition to be manageable.
The important thing to remember is that Crohn’s disease and long-term disability payments are not a guaranteed thing. You will have to fight for your benefits because this disease is not well-understood in the medical community or the insurance industry. The medical community is only now developing treatments for this condition, and the success rate is not very high because every person responds differently.
Denial for LTD and Crohn’s Disease
Being denied long-term disability payments can be very frustrating. It is an insult to the person suffering from this disease to discredit how bad it is impacting their life. Thankfully, you have a right to appeal this decision.
If you have not already employed a lawyer to help you with your disability insurance claim, now is the time. Having a lawyer manage your appeal is the best way to help yourself have the denial overturned.
A lawyer experienced with dealing with long-term disability claims will be able to help you obtain the right types of records and proof and build a solid case for you to receive benefits.
Crohn’s disease is a serious disorder that affects every area of your life. Just because the general population is not very familiar with this disease does not mean that it is not serious. If you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s and suffer at work because of the side effects, speak with a lawyer about your rights to file a long-term disability claim.
