A woman who was diagnosed with Fahr’s disease, a rare and progressive neurological disorder, came to Dabdoub Law Firm for help after Lincoln Financial Group (Lincoln) denied her claim for short-term and long-term disability benefits. Multiple sources, including medical evaluations, showed how her disease was disabling—and only getting worse with time. Attorney Geannina Burgos took the lead on this case and successfully convinced the insurance company to approve our client’s much-needed disability benefits.
What is Fahr’s Disease and How it is Disabling
Fahr’s disease is a rare neurological disorder caused by an abnormal calcium build-up in the parts of the brain that control movement. It can cause movement disorders like tremors and rigidity, cognitive impairments, seizures, depression, anxiety, spastic paralysis, vision problems, and many other disabling symptoms. It is also a progressive and incurable disorder with no standard treatment protocols, meaning it will only get worse with time in the majority of cases.
When our client was diagnosed with this rare disease, she was soon forced out of her career at the age of 41. She thought that the severity of her health condition and how it had already greatly interfered with her ability to safely hold employment would readily compel Lincoln to approve her disability benefits. Somehow, she was wrong. Lincoln denied her case, which prompted her to come to Dabdoub Law Firm for counsel and representation.
Attorney Burgos reviewed medical information and records from our client’s treating medical providers. Both had seen how Fahr’s disease was changing her physical capabilities and cognitive abilities for the worse. Her brother and close friends are also struggling with the reality that someone they love has been disabled by an incurable disease, a pain made especially poignant because they saw how vibrant and lively she had been before its onset.
An independent functional capacity evaluation was performed to get a clear assessment of how Fahr’s disease had disabled her.
The conclusion of the functional capacity evaluation (FCE) included that she:
- Could sit up to a maximum of 30 minutes at a time, no more than 2 hours per day
- Experienced impaired sitting, standing, and walking tolerance
- Experienced impaired squatting, kneeling, and climbing
- Had an intolerance for sustained activity in any position
- Had difficulty maintaining concentration due to high levels of pain and headaches
- Had worsening symptoms like brain fog, memory loss, and communication troubles
- Had sensitivity to environmental triggers like lights, loud noises, and excessive talking
- Had balance problems and tremors that made her a fall risk
It was already clear that she could not hold gainful employment, including even part-time sedentary work. Still, an independent occupational therapist was called upon to review the FCE findings and conclusion. He found that the evaluation was fair and accurate, and stated that our client “demonstrated severe impairments with all tested physical domains.”
When Lincoln was presented with our long term disability appeal letter, which clearly outlined the medical evidence that underscored how Fahr’s disease is a disabling health condition, it backed down. Without the need for a trial, our client’s long term disability benefits were approved.
Lawyers with Expertise in Disability Insurance Claims
This law firm has always focused only on disability insurance law. Because we specialize in long-term disability, our clients get the benefit of:
- Having an attorney who is an expert in long-term disability claims;
- Having an attorney who has experience with every major disability insurance company; and
- Being backed by a law firm that has a proven track record of winning tough disability lawsuits.
Call the Dabdoub Law Firm to get experienced disability lawyers on your side. We can help 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.
The firm represents clients nationwide with disability claims governed by federal law, even if we are not located in your state.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.