Can You Qualify for Long-Term Disability With an Autoimmune Disease?

Your immune system is designed to help protect vital body organs and systems, attacking and fighting off viruses, infections, and other threats that could endanger your health. However, in people who suffer from autoimmune disorders, the immune system functions improperly and attacks healthy cells instead. This can have major impacts on your overall well-being and may eventually lead to long-term disabilities that prevent you from working. Find out more about autoimmune diseases and whether they qualify you for long-term disability benefits. 

Autoimmune Diseases That May Entitle You to Long-Term Disability Benefits

According to the National Institutes of Health, autoimmune diseases are one of the most common types of medical disorders. They impact close to 24 million people, and recent research suggests that this number is increasing each year. 

Auto-immune disorders are characterized by a faulty immune system response, causing the body to attack otherwise healthy cells. These attacks can be so severe, recurrent, and long-lasting that they cause serious damage to body organs and systems, impacting mobility and overall body functions. Common types of auto-immune disorders that may result in long-term disabilities include: 

• Types 1 Diabetes;
• Rheumatoid Arthritis;
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease;
• Lupus;
• Multiple Sclerosis;
• Myasthenia Gravis;
• Grave’s Disease, attacking the thyroid;
• Sjögren’s Syndrome, attacking glands in the eyes and mouth. 

Protecting Your Rights to Benefits for Long-Term Disabilities Due to Autoimmune Diseases

The above and other types of autoimmune diseases can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, excessive fatigue, and other troubling symptoms. Long-term disabilities are common due to these symptoms and the eventual failure of body organs or systems. 

A long-term disability is generally defined as a medical condition that prevents you from working for a year or longer. Long-term disability benefits available through your employer may help compensate you for lost wages you suffer as a result. 

While long-term disability insurance typically covers autoimmune disorders, double-check the exact terms of your policy to be sure. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires employers to provide copies of all policy-related documents, free of charge and at your request. In addition to ensuring you have a covered condition, take these other steps to protect your rights to long-term disability benefits:  

• Visit your doctor regularly;
• Get a firm diagnosis of your condition;
• Undergo all recommended testing and treatment;
• Keep copies of all medical records;
• Document how your condition impacts you on the job;
• Keep a disability journal, detailing how your condition has progressed and the impact it has on other areas of your life. 

Request a Consultation With Our Chicago Long-Term Disability Lawyer

Unfortunately, people with autoimmune diseases are often denied long-term disability. To protect your rights, get professional legal representation at the Law Offices of Michael Bartolic, LLC. We act as a strong ally on your side throughout the claims process and appeal denied benefits.  Call or contact our office online and request a consultation with our Chicago long-term disability lawyer today.