Collecting Shoulder Disorders Disability Benefits Is A Reality

Shoulder disorders and injuries are challenging disabling conditions. How Can Disability Insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Assist You?

As disability attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous physicians and dentists that have been unable to work as a result of a shoulder disorder or injury. Most clients that we have represented with shoulder disorders became disabled as a result of either an acute shoulder injury or a chronic shoulder degenerative condition.

We often see that disability claimants attempt to continue working with a shoulder injury, but due to continuous pain with activity, they are forced to stop working. Furthermore we often find that claimants with shoulder injuries contemplate surgery but are often advised that that there is not a high likelihood of successful recovery with surgery. A disability claimant is not required to undergo shoulder surgery if it has been recommended.

Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have an expansive understanding of the significant restrictions and limitations that a person suffering with a shoulder disorder 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 a shoulder disorder.

Not everyone suffering with a shoulder injury 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.

What is a shoulder disorder?

shoulder pain disability claim

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it can be an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed.

It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain stable, the shoulder must be anchored by its muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Some shoulder problems arise from the disruption of these soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or underuse of the shoulder. Other problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

If you suffer from shoulder pain or limitation, some common causes include:

  • Bursitis – occurs when there is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac called the bursa that lies between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone.
  • Calcific tendonitis is a condition of calcium deposits within a tendon, most commonly within the rotator cuff tendons. Treatment of calcific tendonitis depends on the extent of symptoms.
  • Frozen shoulder, also called ‘adhesive capsuliitis’ this is a common condition that leads to stiffness of the joint.
  • Labral tear. The labrum is cuff of cartilage that forms a cup and circles the shoulder socket. There are several patterns of a torn labrum and the type of treatment depends on the specific injury. The SLAP lesion is also a type of labral tear. The most common cause is a fall onto an outstretched hand. A Bankart lesion is a labral tear that occurs when a shoulder dislocates. Posterior labral tears are less common, but sometimes seen in athletes in a condition called internal impingement. In this syndrome, the rotator cuff and labrum are pinched together in the back of the shoulder.
  • Rotator cuff tears occur when the tendons of the rotator cuff separate from the bone.
  • Shoulder arthritis is less common than knee and hip arthritis, but in severe cases it may require a joint replacement surgery.
  • Shoulder dislocation is an injury that occurs when the top of the arm bone becomes disconnected from the scapula.
  • Shoulder instability is a problem that causes a loose joint. Instability can be caused by a traumatic injury (dislocation), or may be a developed condition.
  • Shoulder separation, also called an “AC separation”, it is the result of a disruption of the acromioclavicular joint. This is a separate injury from a dislocation.
  • Tendinitis – The tendons of the rotator cuff or the tendons of the biceps become inflamed and irritated. This is often a result of being pinched by surrounding structures.
  • A proximal biceps tendon rupture occurs when the tendon of the biceps muscle ruptures near the joint.

How the symptoms of a shoulder disorder can affect you

Shoulder pain may be localized or may be referred to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Disease within the body such as the gallbladder disease, liver conditions, heart disease and disease of the cervical spine and neck also may generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder. In addition to the pain associated with a shoulder disorder a person may also suffer swelling and numbness of the shoulder.

shoulder disorder disability benefits claim

Limitations of range of motion and loss of strength are commonly seen with disabling shoulder conditions.

The first step in treating these conditions is to reduce pain and inflammation with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors.

In some cases the doctor or therapist will use ultrasound therapy (gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises are added gradually. These may be preceded or followed by use of an ice pack. If there is no improvement, the doctor may inject acorticosteroid medicine. While steroid injections are a common treatment, they must be used with caution because they may lead to tendon rupture.

If there is still no improvement after a period of time, the doctor may perform either arthroscopic or open surgery to repair damage to the shoulder.

Resources

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

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New York Life

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Reviewed by Heather on October 3rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
This company sucks when it comes to disability claims. They are slow at processing stuff, then they always say they didn't recieve the doctors information. You spend your ... read more >
MetLife

They FULL OF ****

Reviewed by KM on October 3rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
MetLife is what everyone on this review are saying. They don't contact you to let you know what's going on with your claim or to let know you need additional info. I had a... read more >
Sedgwick

Worst Company Ever

Reviewed by RobRob on September 23rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
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MetLife

MetLife for disability? Avoid the surgery unless it's life-threatening

Reviewed by Jeff on August 22nd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
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Reliance Standard

Short Term Disability Claim/Inconsistent to NO Communication

Reviewed by GaKRN on August 22nd 2024   Verified Policyholder | June 2024 date of disability
When I did call & reach a live person they were kind & helpful. The person assigned to my claim left one phone message & I have not spoken to her since. Information she re... read more >
Lincoln Financial

My specialist took me out of work, but Lincoln Financial denied my claim on the grounds of not seeking consultation, which was never part of the original claim.

Reviewed by Marie on November 10th 2014   Verified Policyholder
My name is Marie. I’ve been out of work since Dec 2013 for a job related injury rotator cuff and carpal tunnel syndrome did not receive benefits until March 2014, then s... read more >
Reply
Sent on November 10th 2014 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Marie, please feel free to contact our office if you would like to discuss how we can assist you in appealing the denial of your claim.

Reliance Standard

After receiving SSDI, Reliance Standard delayed their payment adjustment and I can't get a hold of my case worker.

Reviewed by MGW on December 2nd 2013   Verified Policyholder
I had both shoulders replaced in 2012. Reliance paid my STD and have been paying LTD for a year. Once I was approved for SSDI I sent them my reward letter and payment amou... read more >
Reply
Sent on December 2nd 2013 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

MGW, I would recommend filing a complaint with your state insurance commissioner for the delay and non-responsiveness from Reliance.

Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard should be paying for my STD claim, but they won't return my calls.

Reviewed by Mark on August 8th 2011   Verified Policyholder
Hi all, my name is Mark Ozimek, I was employed at Lehigh Heavy Forge which is the old Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem PA. I was out for a shoulder operation for a rotat... read more >
Reply
Sent on August 8th 2011 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Mark, you should immediately communicate in writing with Reliance Standard about the current situation.

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Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?

We are disability insurance attorneys that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.

In more than 98% of our cases, our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement. Our disability insurance lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.

We offer disability insurance attorney representation nationwide and we welcome you to contact any of our lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 850 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

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Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.

A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.

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Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability insurance lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.

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Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.

The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.

In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.

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No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, or video conferencing sessions. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.

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When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability insurance attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.

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