Our disability insurance attorneys understand how the nature of Lyme disease can result in significant limitations and struggles if not diagnosed quickly. However, many physicians do not properly diagnose Lyme disease from the initial stages. Lyme disease is a controversial diagnosis among the medical community and disputed within numerous medical publications. We have helped numerous claimants suffering with Lyme disease and our disability lawyers are familiar with all of the arguments used by the disability insurance companies. The tests used to detect Lyme antibodies, the enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western blot, only have a 60 percent chance of accurately indicating the presence of the disease. Because several factors can affect the incidence of the antibodies, countless infected patients are turned away with a false negative test result. Additionally, about one out of four individuals who get Lyme disease never develop the most common sign of the disease – a rash. This is why many do not know they have the disease until it reaches the devastating second and third stages. Once these stages are reached after being left untreated, individuals with Lyme disease may be severely affected by mild to serious long-term disabling conditions.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the symptoms associated with Lyme disease, talk with our firm about securing benefits from your disability insurance provider. We will share with you our past experiences with Lyme disease disability claims and let you know how we can assist you. We have helped claimants such as a vice president of a fortune 500 company disabled by Lyme Disease to numerous school teachers. Disability companies will not deny that Lyme disease exist, but they will argue that it is not a permanently disabling medical condition. Our attorneys will work closely with you and your doctor(s) to make sure that the proper medical documentation necessary to support you claim is presented.
Disabling Disorders Caused by Lyme Disease
The disease is carried by deer ticks found in the northeastern and central northern regions of the United States, as well as by the western black-legged ticks which are found mostly on the Pacific Coast. These ticks can spread the disease to animals and humans through their bite, and subsequently into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The disease can begin to involve the joints, bones and muscles as it progresses throughout the body. These symptoms can be disabling to sufferers as the disease not only affects them physically but also cognitively. Disability companies will not deny that Lyme disease exist, but they will argue that it is not a permanently disabling medical condition.
During the late stages of Lyme disease, it can spread to other parts of the body such as the heart and nervous system. An individual may feel an irregular or slow heartbeat if the disease spreads to the heart.
Nervous system disorders caused by late-stage Lyme disease may include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Changes in mood
- Loss of memory
- Changes in sleep habits
- Muscle weakness
- Bell’s Palsy
- Numbness in the arms and legs
- Meningitis
- Inflamed knees and other large joints
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Vision changes
If you have a claim for disability benefits as a result of Lyme Disease, our disability lawyers can help you at any stage of your claim for short or long term disability benefits. Contact us for a free immediate consultation.
Resources
To learn more about Lyme disease, visit the following links for more information:
- Centers For Disease Control
- American Lyme Disease Foundation
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Information about the Neurological Complications of Lyme Disease
You may also return to this page to continue receiving updated information regarding changes in Lyme disease disability benefit laws and news articles.
Recently Resolved Cases (4)
- LTD Claim Approved by Lincoln for Former Biomet, Inc. Employee suffering from Meniere’s Disease
- After appeal filed by Attorney Jay Symonds, Prudential overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for New York Financial Control Officer
- MetLife Removes 24 Month Limitation for Mental Health Condition for Financial Advisor
- Hartford Admits Decision to Deny LTD Benefits to Claimant with Chronic Lyme Disease Was Wrong
Cases & Claim Tips (17)
- Judge Agrees that MetLife’s Denial of Long Term Disability Benefits was Reasonable
- California Federal Judge Orders Standard Insurance Company to Pay Disability Benefits to Teacher with Lyme Disease
- After paying for 13 years Unum Denies Disability Benefits to Woman with Lyme Disease and Endometriosis
- Inexperienced Lawyer Handles Unum Disability Lawsuit and Fails to Provide Evidence to Support Occupational Argument
- Summer 2018 – Welcome to Mosquito, Tick, & Flea Season
- Unum Denial of Disability to Claimant with Lyme Disease Remanded by Washington ERISA Judge
- Lyme Disease Carrying Tick Has Spread to 50% of U.S. Counties
- Suffering From Chronic Severe Lyme Disease? You Are Not Alone.
- Court grants partial summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff, remanding claim back to Aetna to review records it failed to review during the appeals process
- CNN Publishes Story on Lyme Disease as a Disabling Condition
- MetLife Ordered to Pay Disability Insurance Benefits to MetLife Employee with Lyme’s Disease
- New York Federal Court Denies MetLife’s Motion To Dismiss Lyme Disease Victim’s Petition For Disability Benefits 1
- Assistant Vice President of Meadowbrook Insurance Group files a lawsuit against CIGNA for denied disability benefits claim
- 12 years of disability payments paid, but CIGNA suddenly determines claimant can perform sedentary job 20
- A former HCBS sales manager diagnosed with lyme disease sues UNUM for disability claim denial
- CUNA Mutual terminates disability benefits to woman suffering from depression and lyme disease 8
- Standard’s decision to deny doctor’s disability benefits due to the 24-month mental/nervous limitation upheld
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