What Are the Most Common Types of Disabilities Covered Under Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance?

Learn About Long Term Disability With An Experienced Chicago Attorney

Long term disability insurance policies are intended to help pay for a person’s salary in the event that he or she suffers a disability that is long term and prevents work in a gainful occupation. Long term disability policies are usually available for private purchase, or are employer-sponsored in the form of a group insurance plan. In the majority of cases, long term disability policies pay for about 60 percent of an injured person’s salary until age 65 or retirement age. If you are suffering from a long term disability, you may indeed be able to collect on your long term disability policy. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of disabilities covered under long term disability insurance.

The Most Common Disabilities Covered Under Long Term Disability Insurance

The following common conditions can result in severe long term disability:

• Mental and psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, or any mental or emotional illnesses that inhibit a person’s ability to work;
• Cancer;
• Heart disease or congestive heart failure;
• Stroke;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Chronic pain;
• Chronic fatigue;
• Hearing loss;
• Vision loss;
• Loss of limb;
• Lung disease;
• Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Lou Gehrig’s disease; and
• Arthritis.

What If I Do Not Have a Condition Listed Above?

If you do not suffer from one of the disabling conditions listed above, you may still qualify for long term disability benefits through your group or private insurance plan. The above list simply is a collection of the most common disabling conditions, but is by no means inclusive.

Proving Your Disability

If you have a condition that results in disability and your inability to work, you must prove this according to your policy’s definitions in order to qualify for compensation through your insurance plan. This will require a plethora of medical evidence, including doctors’ statements and testimony, lab and test results, and the totality of your medical records.

My Claim for Benefits Was Denied – What Can I Do?

Even if you have a disabling condition, including one of the most common conditions listed above, your application for long term disability benefits will not necessarily be approved. This is because approving your claim costs the insurance company money, and so they will search for all possible ways of denying your claim, including denying the extent or existence of your disability. If you have an employer sponsored group long term disability insurance plan, then your right to appeal a denied application is federally protected.

How Our Experienced Illinois Long Term Disability Attorneys Can Help You

We know how frustrating living with a disability can be, and how scary it can be if you are unable to work and earn an income. If you are covered under a long term disability policy in Illinois, we will do everything we can to make sure your application for benefits is approved. To learn more, contact Bartolic Law today for a free consultation!