Kentucky Long Term Disability Claims Attorneys for Rheumatoid Arthritis
If your doctor diagnosed you with rheumatoid arthritis that affects your ability to return to your job, you should contact the Kentucky long term disability lawyers of Capitan Law right now. You might be entitled to long term disability (LTD) benefits through your employer-paid LTD plan or an individual plan. We can help you file a claim for monthly payments to replace your lost income and provide the money you need to afford your medical treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease causing the immune system to attack the tissues in your body. It can become debilitating without proper treatment and can significantly impact your daily life. When you can’t earn a living, the cost of medical care, daily assistance, and living expenses can lead to enormous economic strain. You shouldn’t have to suffer those worries because of a disabling medical condition. Let Capitan Law advocate for your rights and fight for the maximum LTD benefits you deserve. Call (267) 419-7888 for a free consultation and learn more about our services.
Common Symptoms Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder affecting your joints. It can damage various bodily systems, such as your blood vessels, lungs, eyes, skin, and heart. Common symptoms experienced with this autoimmune disease are:
- Fatigue
- Warm, swollen, and tender joints
- Stiff joints, typically worse after inactivity or sleeping
- Joint pain
- Loss of functioning in the joints and deformities
- Fever
- Tingling and numbness
- Decreased range of motion
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Trouble sleeping
The early stages of the disease can cause problems to smaller joints, eventually progressing to larger joints and other parts of the body. Symptoms can occur on both sides of the body in the elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders, and hips. Some people develop symptoms affecting areas of the body other than the joints, including:
- Kidneys
- Skin
- Bone marrow
- Eyes
- Salivary glands
- Blood vessels
- Lungs
- Heart
- Nerve tissue
Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t curable; however, various treatment options can reduce inflammation and alleviate other symptoms associated with the disorder.
Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, factors potentially increasing the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Smoking
- Older age
- Women without a history of live birth
- Human leukocyte antigen class II genotype
- Women
- Obesity
- Certain exposures early in life, such as children having a mother who smoked
If you have any of these risk factors, you should discuss them with your doctor, especially if you notice any rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. However, just having symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop the autoimmune disease. A doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and determine the right treatment plan.
ERISA Regulations for Long Term Disability Insurance
You can file a claim for LTD benefits if your condition prevents you from working or earning your usual wages. If your employer provides this coverage through their policy, the insurance company must follow regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). It protects the rights of plan participants and requires insurance companies to disclose details about insurance coverage upon request, such as:
- Monthly benefit payment amounts
- Filing deadlines
- Medical conditions entitled to LTD coverage
- Exclusions prohibiting benefits
- Duration of benefit payments
- Instructions on filing claims and appealing denied claims
Your monthly payments will be up to 70% of your average pre-disability earnings, depending on the amount listed on your policy. Once you file your claim, there’s an elimination period before receiving your first payment. This is a waiting period between the date you applied for benefits and when the coverage begins. The average elimination period is 90 days, but some only require as little as 30 days, while others make you wait up to a year.
Follow These Steps If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
If a doctor determines your symptoms limit your functioning at work and you have to cut back your hours or leave your job entirely, you should take immediate action to pursue LTD benefits.
Step 1 – Inform your employer of your disability. Request a copy of their insurance plan so you know how to apply for benefits and the crucial deadlines you must comply with.
Step 2 – Complete the form your employer provides. Be specific about your diagnosis, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and any mental or physical limitations they cause.
Step 3 – Treat the disease with your doctor regularly to manage your symptoms. Also, ask them to write a statement indicating your diagnosis and its effects on performing your job-related duties.
Step 4 – Hire a rheumatoid arthritis long term disability claims attorney from Capitan Law. We have the experience and resources to file the claim on your behalf and obtain substantial evidence proving your medical condition prevents you from maintaining employment.
Let Capitan Law Be Your Advocate
At Capitan Law, we have a legal team available 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions. We believe in providing dependable customer service from start to finish of every client’s case. You can count on us to dedicate our time and effort to seeking the maximum available LTD benefits you need and deserve to cover your medical treatment and daily living expenses. You should not be financially responsible for the costs associated with your disabling condition.
When you hire one of our rheumatoid arthritis long term disability claims attorneys, you will be our top priority. We will put our skills and knowledge to work during the claims process, so the insurance company pays the benefits owed to you. We know the stress you’re under and want to relieve the burden you’re feeling. We will take on the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on treating your symptoms.
If you can’t work anymore due to your rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and want to learn your options for covering your medical treatment, prescriptions costs, and associated expenses, call Capitan Law at (267) 419-7888 immediately or contact us online. We will review your case and determine the best course of action to pursue the long term disability payments necessary to supplement your lost wages and get your life back on track.
