When filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits, one of the most critical factors that insurance companies evaluate is your ability to perform work. For many claims, the insurance company will assess whether the claimant can still engage in "sedentary" work, even if they can no longer perform more physically demanding jobs. What exactly does “sedentary” work mean for long-term disability claims, though?
Sedentary work is generally defined as work that primarily involves sitting, with occasional walking and standing.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), sedentary jobs require:
- Sitting for most of the day: Typically, workers are seated for at least 6 hours during an 8-hour workday.
- Lifting no more than 10 pounds: Any physical exertion in a sedentary job is minimal, and workers may occasionally lift or carry lightweight items like files or tools.
- Occasional walking or standing: Sedentary jobs may involve brief periods of walking or standing, usually for short durations during the workday.
While sedentary work appears less physically demanding than other roles, it still requires the ability to concentrate, stay on task, and complete job functions reliably. In other words, it’s not good enough for the insurance company to claim you can sit for 6 hours or more without examining if you can actually work during that time period. People with medical conditions that impact their cognitive or physical capacity may still find themselves unable to perform sedentary work, despite its lower physical demands.
Importance of Sedentary Work in Long-Term Disability Claims
When someone files for long-term disability, the insurance company will assess their ability to perform their "own occupation" and, later, their ability to perform "any occupation." For many disability policies, this "any occupation" standard focuses on whether the claimant can perform sedentary work.
Insurance companies often rely on the sedentary work definition to argue that claimants are capable of some form of employment, even when their condition prevents them from performing their own job or more physically demanding tasks.
Common tactics used by insurers include:
- Minimizing physical limitations: Insurance companies may argue that the claimant's condition does not preclude them from sitting at a desk and performing sedentary tasks, even when their condition causes severe fatigue, pain, or cognitive difficulties.
- Overlooking non-physical symptoms: Claimants with conditions that affect concentration, memory, or stamina—such as chronic pain, fatigue, or neurological disorders—may still struggle to work in a sedentary role. Insurance companies frequently ignore these non-physical symptoms when evaluating claims.
- Using outdated or generalized job descriptions: Insurers may point to broad, generic job categories that do not accurately reflect the specific demands of a sedentary job. They may claim that a claimant can still perform sedentary work based on a limited understanding of the job's mental and physical requirements.
Why Do LTD Claims Get Denied Based on Sedentary Work?
Insurance companies often deny LTD claims by arguing that the claimant can still perform sedentary work, despite medical evidence to the contrary.
Common reasons for denial include:
- Insufficient medical evidence: Insurers may argue that the claimant's medical records do not provide enough detail to prove that they cannot perform sedentary work. They may request additional documentation or independent medical evaluations (IMEs) to challenge the claimant's condition.
- Failure to account for fluctuating symptoms: Many conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or multiple sclerosis, cause symptoms that vary in severity from day to day. Insurance companies often overlook this variability and assume that claimants can work on a consistent basis.
- Underestimating the impact of pain or fatigue: Conditions like chronic pain, emphysema, or heart disease may leave individuals physically exhausted or in constant discomfort, making it impossible to maintain focus or productivity, even in a sedentary job.
If your claim for long term disability benefits has been denied based on your ability to perform sedentary work, please understand that this is not the final word. Our LTD claim attorneys from Dabdoub Law Firm have successfully challenged such denials, time and again, by demonstrating the full scope of a claimant’s limitations and how they impact their ability to work, even in a sedentary capacity. We might be able to help you, too.
Dabdoub Law Firm: Fighting Long-Term Disability Denials
At Dabdoub Law Firm, we understand how insurance companies manipulate the definition of sedentary work to deny valid disability claims. Our firm has taken on every major insurance company, and we know their tactics—we know how to win! Our team specializes in handling long-term disability denials, and we have the experience and knowledge to prepare a strong case on your behalf.
When you hand your claim to us, we can help by:
- Gathering comprehensive medical evidence: We work closely with your treating physicians to gather detailed medical records, functional capacity evaluations, and expert testimony that clearly illustrates how your condition limits your ability to perform sedentary work.
- Addressing non-physical limitations: We emphasize the importance of cognitive and psychological symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and the mental toll of chronic pain or fatigue, to demonstrate that sedentary work is not a viable option.
- Challenging insurance company tactics: Whether your claim was denied due to insufficient evidence, a biased IME, or an inaccurate job description, we know how to challenge these tactics and present a compelling case for your entitlement to benefits.
When we try cases, we know how to win. We have a successful track record of winning in court, and we have helped countless clients overturn denials and secure the long-term disability benefits they deserve, even when insurers claimed they were capable of sedentary work. If your long-term disability claim has been denied because the insurance company believes you can still perform sedentary work, don’t give up. The definition of sedentary work is more complex than insurers often acknowledge, and you may have a strong case for disability benefits yet.
Dabdoub Law Firm is committed to helping people like you fight back against insurance companies and secure the benefits they deserve. We handle cases nationwide, serving clients in every state in the country. Contact us online or dial (800) 969-0488 to speak with a long-term disability claim attorney today and learn how we can assist with your sedentary work denial.