What Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The average survival time with ALS is three to five years.
The disease affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body.
What Are The Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
The symptoms of ALS can vary and change over time. Typical symptoms include:
1 – Muscle weakness in the hands, arms, legs or the muscles involved in speech, swallowing or breathing;
2 – Twitching and cramping of muscles, especially in the hands and feet;
3 – Impairment of the use of arms and legs;
4 – Thick speech; and
5 – Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Muscle weakness, seen in 60% of patients, can result in tripping, dropping things, fatigue of the arms and legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps and periods of uncontrollable laughing or crying.
Hands and feet may be affected initially, which can cause problems with walking and the use of hands for activities of daily living.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
ALS can interfere not only with your daily activities but with your ability to work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability, before you apply for benefits, you should:
1 – Obtain a copy of your disability policy. See how it defines “disability,” “occupation” and “self-reported conditions.” You’ll need to understand what you have to prove and if your coverage includes limitations.
2 – Obtain a copy of your medical records. Review them to see if there is an objective basis for your diagnosis, what your records say about your report of symptoms and your restrictions and limitations.
3 – Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your ALS has affected your work performance.
4 – Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical duties with an explanation of how your symptoms impact your ability to do your occupation.
5 – Provide your doctor with the occupational description. Ask your doctor to prepare a report that explains the objective basis for your diagnosis, the objective basis of your restrictions and limitations, and the objective reasons you can’t perform some or all of the material and substantial duties of your occupation.
6 – Prepare a pain diary that explains your pain and the side effects of the medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your pain and symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
7 – Hire Nancy Cavey to help you file your initial application. The application process is confusing and designed so you and your physician make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits. Ms. Cavey knows how to prepare and file a winning shock and awe disability application that leaves the carrier little reason to question your claim.
8 – Hire Nancy Cavey to help you appeal a wrongful denial or termination of your disability benefits. Disability carriers are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying disability benefits. They’ll use any reason to deny your claim. The odds of getting your benefits on appeal are greater when you are represented by an experienced ERISA/private ID policy disability attorney.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
ALS can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work. You owe it to yourself and your family to get help today! Nancy Cavey can review your policy and your medical records, and explain to you what your policy says and how to get your disability benefits. Call today for a free consultation at 727-894-3188.
