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Do I Qualify for Long Term Disability Insurance if I Have COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as COPD, is an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. One of the scariest and most threatening aspects of COPD is that symptoms rarely present themselves before a significant amount of damage to the lungs has already been done. Some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, a chronic cough, blueness of the lips or fingernail beds, fatigue or lack of energy, unintended weight loss, swelling in ankles, feet or legs, frequent respiratory infections, and more. If you have COPD, you do not need anyone to tell you how nasty it can be. However, if you are seeking long term disability insurance, you will absolutely have to prove your case to the insurance companies. Here are some of the questions you may have regarding long term disability insurance:

What is long term disability insurance?

When you file a long term disability insurance claim, you are seeking financial help for a presumably significant amount of time. If your claim is approved, you may either receive one lump sum or monthly payments from your insurance company. You should contact an experienced attorney, as he will help determine which is best for your specific situation. Additionally, insurance companies may very well try and deny you of the compensation you need, so must ensure you hire an attorney who is ready to fight back.

How do I file a long term disability insurance claim? 

When you require long term disability insurance, you must first speak with your insurer or employer to get a better understanding of your individual policy. From there, you will file your claim within 180 days. When you file a claim, you should always include doctor’s opinions, MRI results, medical records and more. In these opinions, your doctor must stress exactly how your medical condition impacts your daily life. Your attorney and doctor must make a clear case to your insurance company that you are unable to return to work. An attorney will walk you through every step of the process so you can ensure you present all the necessary documentation to help prove your claim.

What are other medical conditions that qualify for long term disability insurance?

You should know that if you were diagnosed with any of the following, you may also be entitled to receive long term disability insurance. 

  • Cancer
  • Vision loss or blindness
  • Hearing loss or deafness
  • Osteoarthritis 
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Neurological disorders
  • Lupus
  • Lyme disease
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Digestive tract problems
  • Kidney disease
  • Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and panic disorders
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Serious back injuries

Contact our experienced firm

If you or someone you know is looking to receive long term disability benefits and needs the help of an experienced attorney, contact Walker & Hern today.

Our firm has significant experience helping people just like you retain or defend their Long Term Disability Benefits. Contact Walker & Hern for a free consultation.

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