Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim

View Disability Cases Involving Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability Insurance Benefits Claim

Disability insurance carriers often challenge a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. How can disability insurance attorneys Dell & Schaefer assist you?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. As disability insurance attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous long term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result of multiple sclerosis. MS can often be a challenging diagnosis and we have handled numerous disability claims where the disability insurance company will try to tell the client that he or she does not have MS. However diagnosis does not mean disability and it is important to work with an experienced disability attorney that can prove that you are disabled as defined by your disability policy.

Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have an expansive understanding of the significant restrictions and limitations that a person suffering with multiple sclerosis must live with on a daily basis. We have worked closely with top physicians in order to sufficiently satisfy a disability carrier’s threshold of evidence necessary to prove that a client is disabled by suffering multiple sclerosis.

Not everyone suffering from multiple sclerosis qualifies for long-term disability benefits, therefore the medical records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim.
You can contact us for a free initial consultation.

Multiple sclerosis(MS) is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. In multiple sclerosis, this process destroys myelin (the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord). Once the myelin is damaged, the messages that travel along that nerve may be slowed or completely blocked.

Doctors and researchers don’t know exactly why multiple sclerosis occurs in some people and not others. A combination of factors, ranging from genetics to childhood infections, may play a role such as:

• age (MS most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 20-40),
• sex (women are more likely than men to develop MS),
• heredity (the risk of multiple sclerosis is higher for people who have a family history of the disease),
• infections (a variety of viruses have been linked to multiple sclerosis; currently the greatest interest is in the association of multiple sclerosis with Epstein-Barr virus),
• race (white people are at highest risk of developing MS),
• geographical factors (MS is far more common in countries with temperate climates), and
• other autoimmune diseases (people may be more likely to develop MS if they already have an autoimmune disorder such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome).

How the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can affect you

Symptoms vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and which particular nerves are affected. People with severe cases of multiple sclerosis may lose the ability to walk or speak. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease, because symptoms often come and go, sometimes disappearing for months.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include; numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which typically occurs on one side of the body at a time or the bottom half of your body. A person may also suffer partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement (optic neuritis) or double vision or blurring of vision. Some people may feel a tingling or pain in various parts of their body and electric-shock sensations that occur with certain head movements. It is also common for people with multiple sclerosis to suffer tremors, lack of coordination or an unsteady gait, fatigue and dizziness.

In some cases, people with multiple sclerosis may also develop; muscle stiffness or spasms, paralysis, problems with bladder, bowel or sexual function, mental changes such as forgetfulness or lack of concentration, depression and epilepsy.

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatment typically focuses on combating the autoimmune response and managing the symptoms. Some people may have such mild symptoms that no treatment is necessary.

Medications that are commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis such as Corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation. Interferons are used to slow the rate at which symptoms of MS worsen over time. Natalizumab works by interfering with the movement of potentially damaging immune cells from your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. Mitoxantrone is an immunosuppressant drug that is only used on those with advanced multiple sclerosis.

Plasma exchange is sometimes used to help combat severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis relapses, especially in people who are not responding to intravenous steroids.

Physical therapy has also shown to be beneficial for those suffering from multiple sclerosis. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can teach a patient stretching and strengthening exercises, and show them how to use devices that can make it easier to perform daily tasks.

As is true with other chronic diseases, living with multiple sclerosis can be emotionally challenging and physically demanding as you try to maintain daily activities such as work, school and family. However, through disease-modifying drugs, new technologies, better symptom management, and community resources the majority of people with multiple sclerosis are leading full active lives.

Resources

There are many valuable sources of multiple sclerosis information available. You can also access resources over the internet such as:

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association Inc.

There are numerous charities dedicated to multiple sclerosis research, detection and treatment including:

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Can Do Multiple Sclerosis
• Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

Not everyone suffering from multiple sclerosis qualifies for long-term disability benefits, therefore the medical records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim.
You can contact us for a free initial consultation.

Please share your thoughts:

Please be advised that your comment will be public. Any information contained on our website is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. If you are seeking assistance with your claim, then please use our confidential Free Consultation form.

Your message:

Your name:

Your email:

Please note: The comments are moderated.
Your comment will need to be approved before it will appear on this page. Your name will appear with the comment, but your email address will not be posted. No off topic post will be accepted. Our attorneys may respond to your comment.

Send me an email each time there's a new comment on this page

Subscribe without commenting:

Please enter your email to be notified each time there's a new comment on this page:

« More disabling conditions