As defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, chronic pain is long-standing pain that persists well beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Chronic pain may be “on” and “off” or continuous.
In some cases, it can be too painful and difficult to sit, stand, or walk for an extended period of time. The pain may radiate to other parts of the body or may cause numbness, weakness, and other debilitating symptoms.
Chronic pain is one of the most common disabilities that we encounter. Sometimes chronic pain is a symptom of another illness or disease. Other times it is a result of an acute injury or changes over time.
Some examples of chronic pain conditions that we see on a regular basis include:
- Back pain
- Cervical stenosis
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Peripheral neuropathy
Here’s what you should know about obtaining long-term disability benefits for chronic pain:
Long-Term Disability Claims Due to Chronic Pain Are Often Initially Denied
Long-term disability companies frequently deny claims for chronic pain because pain is “subjective” and there is no objective test that can measure the level of pain you are experiencing.
Insurance companies can get away with this by hiring physicians who do not find sufficient clinical or objective evidence to support a claimant’s complaints that their pain is of such severity that it causes functional impairment.
The good news is we have successfully obtained long term disability benefits for clients suffering from chronic pain. We have used different ways to prove that chronic pain results in restrictions and limitations preventing you from working. We use things like:
- Consistent notes from doctors detailing your complaints over time
- Undergoing a Functional Capacity Evaluation (or “FCE”) to prove functional restrictions and limitations
- Personal statements provided by you and trusted individuals that detail your functional capacity before and after your chronic pain condition became disabling, further corroborating your medical records and other evidence
- Letters of support from your treating providers
Disability Insurance Companies Have Lawyers. Shouldn’t You?
Because this law firm was created to focus on disability insurance, we have developed an expertise in this complex area of the law.
Our expertise in long-term disability claims means our clients have the backing of a law firm that has attorneys who:
- Are experts in disability claims;
- Fought all major disability insurance companies and know their tactics;
- A track record of success;
- Won major disability lawsuits that created good law; and
- Recovered millions of dollars in disability benefits.
All our lawyers commit every day of their legal career to helping people get disability benefits from UNUM, MetLife, Prudential, Northwestern Mutual, Hartford, CIGNA, and others.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we do not have to be located in your state to help. We help clients nationwide.
Call to get experienced disability lawyers on your side with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
