Bartolic Law has helped many clients suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis get their long-term disability benefits paid. Ankylosing Spondylitis claims often get close scrutiny and hostility from insurers because it progresses and is chronic. Thankfully, we have never had a client suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis need to resort to litigation under ERISA § 502(a) to obtain the client’s long-term disability benefits, meaning we were able to get them all paid in full. In one case, the insurer denied the claim, asserting the client can sit frequently and stand and occasionally walk, permitting sedentary work.
Using our multi-faceted approach of medical evidence, credible opinions, and objective testing, we presented an internally consistent demonstration of our client’s inability to sit for more than 20-30 minutes at once, and that the longer the client tried to maintain sitting by changing positions, the shorter the tolerance became. Not long after, the insurer agreed our client was disabled and paid the benefits.
Treatment can slow down the progression and manage symptoms, but there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis. Many people are diagnosed after experiencing various symptoms, including hip or lower back stiffness, pain, fatigue, or possible neck pain. Your shoulders and soft tissue can also be affected by this condition.
Patients with severe cases can experience pain and significantly reduced movement abilities in the spine. Some additional serious complications can include inflammation of the eyes, which can cause blurred vision and light sensitivity; compression fractures in your vertebrae, as well as possible spinal cord or spinal nerve damage; and heart problems, as ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation of the aorta, which can enlarge and impair the function of the aortic valve.
If you have a disabling condition like ankylosing spondylitis, you might need to rely on disability benefits to support yourself, and Bartolic Law can help. Fill out the questionnaire below for a case evaluation and assistance with the claim process.