Multiple Sclerosis, Social Security & Long Term Disability Claims

The Long Island, New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has invited me to speak with their members on Thursday, August 4, 2005 on Social Security and Long Term Disability claims as part of their “Attorney One-on One” program. Located in Hauppauge, Suffolk County, this is a fantastic organization which really provides some much needed services for its members.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve handled over 60 multiple sclerosis disability claims before Social Security or long term disability insurance carriers, such as UNUMProvident. Although one might think that a diagnosis of a progressive illness like multiple sclerosis was all a claimant needed to win a disability claim, in fact both Social Security and long term disability carriers (including Disability Management Services – DMS) give MS claimants a particularly hard time in approving claims. However, I have found that by educating the claimant’s treating neurologist about the legal standard for disability, we can win these claims in almost 100% of the cases. Winning the disability claim often reduces the claimant’s stress, which then results in less serious exacerbations. I look forward to sharing some helpful tips with the membership.