Legal Representation for Denied Claims for Sickle Cell Disability
For people suffering from sickle cell disease, disabilities materialize in various ways including periods of pain that affect their bones, muscles, organs or the nervous system. This renders many sickle cell victims unable to work and live a normal, functioning life.
Sickle cell disability creates financial hardships when people afflicted with the disease are forced to give up their jobs. Financial distress may be relieved by filing claims with the Social Security Disability program, and in some cases through an employer’s group insurance plan or a private disability insurance policy. Military veterans may be able to receive disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs disability program.
If you have filed a disability claim to any of these programs or to your disability insurance company and your claim was wrongly denied, we can help. Our firm has represented thousands of disabled individuals from coast to coast, and we know what it takes to get a favorable outcome.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
About Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease in which the red blood cells are defective. Specifically, the hemoglobin in the cells is abnormal. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissue throughout the body.
Sickle cell disease essentially deprives the red blood cells of oxygen. This causes the cells take on a rigid sickle, or crescent, shape. As a result, the cells cannot pass through blood vessels and organs. Blockage occurs, causing severe pain episodes known as sickle-cell crisis.
The Effects of Sickle Cell Disease Disability
Sickle cell causes the body to suffer organ damage due to lack of oxygen. Many complications of sickle cell disease result from organ damage, including pain crisis, anemia, severe bacterial infections, high blood pressure, jaundice, gallstones, lung tissue damage, and stroke.
Sickle-cell anemia can affect anyone, however it generally affects people of African descent, as well as Hispanics, Asians, and individuals of Native American, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. About fifty percent of people with sickle cell anemia live past age 50.
At the present time, there is no cure for sickle cell disease with the rare exception of bone marrow transplantation. Treatment options typically include pain management, medications, and blood transfusions.
Click to contact our disability lawyers today
Claiming LTD Insurance for Sickle Cell Disability
When an insurer wrongfully denies benefits for disabilities caused by sickle cell disease, we can step in and help you fight back.
In contrast to claiming federal disability benefits, long-term disability (LTD) benefits are obtained from a privately purchased insurance plan or an employer’s group disability plan. The overall aspects of filing an LTD claim are different because you are dealing with an insurance company that is a for-profit business. The decision maker deciding whether your sickle cell disables you from working, or not, is the insurance company.
Some disability insurance companies handle their claims fairly and reliably. However, there are a number of companies that do not. Insurers take advantage of the inexperience of claimants in order to deny or delay a claim.
If your insurance company uses tactics that seem unfair or unusual, we strongly encourage you to seek the advice of a qualified disability attorney. An administrative appeal may be available to you, which can result in having the claim approved.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Winning Social Security Disability Benefits for Sickle Cell Disease
If you suffer from sickle cell disability and are no longer able to work, you may be able to receive Social Security disability benefits. Sickle cell disease is listed in the Social Security Listing of Impairments under Hematological Disorders, Section 7.05, Sickle cell disease, or one of its variants.
Social Security will evaluate your disability basically in one of two ways:
- by comparing your condition with the sickle cell disease listing 7.05, or
- by a practical, step-by-step evaluation of the effect your condition has on your ability to work.
Even though you may be diagnosed with having sickle cell disease, Social Security may not find you to be “disabled” according to their strict criteria
If this happens, it is extremely important that you do not give up. Your next step should be to contact an effective Social Security disability attorney who can help.
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we are experienced in handling Social Security disability claims related to sickle cell disease and other hematological disorders. We understand the difficulties you are going through, and are here to answer your questions. Please contact our firm any time at 800.562.9830.
Veterans with Sickle Cell Disability
Despite its hereditary origin, sickle cell anemia is recognized in the VA Rating Schedule under the section “The Hemic and Lymphatic Systems.” The condition can be considered a service connected disability if symptoms of sickle cell first appear after entry into service.
Sickle cell disease can also be considered to have been aggravated by your military service when there is evidence that symptoms of the disease existed before you entered into service and evidence that the disease progressed during service at a rate greater than normally expected.
When evaluating the level of your disability, the VA rater will follow the criteria in the schedule to review and examine your military medical records and assess the severity of your condition.
If you have received a decision of denial for a claim for sickle cell disability benefits, we can help alleviate the anger and frustration you have experienced. We are accredited Veterans claims attorneys who fully understand the system and the necessary documentation that resonates with the VA examiner.
If your claim for sickle cell disability benefits was denied, we can help.
Don’t delay! Call Marc Whitehead & Associates at 800-562-9830 or request a Free Consultation with a lawyer about your disability claim. We represent the disabled nationwide.
We invite you to visit our Free Resources, where excellent information is available that will inform you in more detail about denied claims from insurance companies, and the Social Security and VA disability programs.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form