Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have acute ataxia to get the disability benefits they deserve.
The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Ataxia Disability Claims
Many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the ataxia diagnosis,
(2) There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
(3) There is no causal relationship between your ataxia diagnosis and/or the restrictions and limitations caused by ataxia, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.
Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with axtaxia. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician.
She offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements, such as walking, speaking and swallowing. Ataxia results from damage to the cerebellum, which controls muscle coordination.
The most common type of ataxia is caused by trauma or a head injury, including a stroke, tumor, transient ischemic attack (TIA), cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or an infection of the brain.
What Are The Symptoms of Ataxia?
The hallmark symptom of ataxia is poor coordination walking and using your trunk and arms. As the disease progresses, muscles weaken and waste away, which can cause deformities in the feet, legs and hands.
Other symptoms can include:
- Slow and slurred speech (dysarthria);
- Fatigue;
- Rapid and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus);
- Spinal curvature (scoliosis); and
- Heart disease.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Ataxia 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:
- 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 to get your benefits for ataxia and whether there are limitations in the benefits paid.
- 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.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your ataxia has affected your work performance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare a diary or a video that explains your symptoms and the side effects of 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.
- 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.
- 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 for ataxia. 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. Her appeal letters are legendary in the disability insurance world.
Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live
Ataxia and its symptoms 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.