Not sure if you qualify for long-term disability coverage? There are many causes of long-term disability, and some of the most common reasons are described below.
1. Musculoskeletal Conditions
Arthritis, back pain, hip pain, joint disorders, osteoporosis, and other musculoskeletal conditions are among the leading causes of long-term disability. As a matter of fact, one out of every four disability claim is related to musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions do not just make an individual feel discomfort, they can also make movement difficult, making it nearly impossible to work.
2. Mental Health Conditions
Each passing day, health care professionals learn more about mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other related conditions. Even when an individual is in good physical, a mental health conditions like depression, agoraphobia, or bipolar disorder can hinder his or her ability to work.
These conditions are far more disabling than you may think. Many individuals are diagnosed with such conditions and are unable to work, resulting in a long-term disability claim.
3. Cancer
Cancer is one of the deadliest, yet most common, health conditions in the world today. Even young, seemingly healthy employees can get a cancer diagnosis, halting their careers. This condition doesn’t necessarily impact your ability to work; however, with surgery, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, you may not be able to go to work for a long time in the future.
4. Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases include stroke, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and congenital heart disease, among other related diseases. For those who have been diagnosed, nothing is more devastating and life-threatening than heart disease. People diagnosed with these conditions may have to deal with the consequences for the rest of their lives.
Cardiovascular diseases can strike at any time, leaving you unable to work for months, if not years at a time. Seventy-five percent of stroke survivors, for example, are so affected by the after-effects of the condition that they are unable to work.
For this reason, heart disease is recognized as one of the leading causes of long-term disability.
5. Injuries
Injuries can occur to anyone, at any time. You could be skiing and break your leg. You could be walking your dog and break your ankle while tripping. Burns, fractures, poisoning, allergic reactions, and sprains and strains are all types of injuries that might affect your ability to work, leading to a long-term disability claim.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, can significantly impact a person’s health as well as result in a host of other health issues, including stroke and heart disease.
Diabetes can be difficult to manage and may progressively get worse over time. As a result, it is one of the leading causes of long-term disability.
Unfortunately, diabetes is a growing health problem that will likely lead to more and more disability claims in the future.
7. Nervous System Disorders
Nervous system disorders include multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. A nervous system disorder can significantly impact a person’s ability to work.
Nervous system disorders often affect younger employees who are just starting out in their careers.
8. Respiratory Conditions
Many lung diseases, such as emphysema, can make it difficult to lead a productive and fulfilling life, let alone work productivity, leading to many sufferers to claim long-term disability.
There are many causes of long-term disability, and one-third of individuals diagnosed with these conditions will be out of work for long periods of time, if not for the rest of their lives. If you qualify for coverage, request the assistance of a long term disability lawyer to file your claim.
