When people think of disability insurance, they often think of accidents. In truth, illness and ailments are the leading causes of short and long-term disability claims. Fewer than 10 percent of disability cases are the result of an accident. Diseases, especially cancer, frequently cause employee to miss work and file for disability cover for their daily expenses. As many as one in four workers will become disabled at some point in their career.
Managing disease and treatment
There are many types of cancer, each with different treatments and recovery. The process is long, expensive and stressful on both body and mind. The disease and the treatment make it impossible to work.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the United States, according to data from the American Cancer Society.
Other frequently diagnosed cancers in 2017 include:
- Lung
- Prostate
- Colorectal
- Melanoma
- Bladder
Sometimes the treatment is as difficult to manage as the disease. Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy have severe side effects that make daily life difficult to maintain, even if the disease is under control.
Understanding ERISA
A 1974 law, ERISA, guides workplace-provided insurance policies. As a federal law, it’s known for strict policies and precise timelines. Denials are frequent because of improper or incomplete applications. It’s important to include all necessary information in an application and to follow the rules precisely, especially concerning appeals.
While one if four workers may experience a disability, very few are familiar with the paperwork. When you’re facing a debilitating health condition, you need to focus on recovery and your health. An experienced lawyer can help collect information and present your case according to federal rules to make sure that important steps aren’t overlooked, costing time, money and unnecessary stress.