Does your disability keep you from working consistently? Fields Law can help you file a bipolar disorder insurance claim or appeal a denial.

How Bipolar Disorder Can Prevent Someone From Working

For people living with bipolar disorder, it’s not a matter of if they have been diagnosed, but whether their disorder causes functional limitations that limit their reliability in the workplace.

When episodes occur, people with bipolar disorder may miss work without prior notice or become unreliable on the job. They may be more likely to have interpersonal conflicts with coworkers or struggle to tolerate the stress of the job.

People can appear to be functional and work normally, but can quickly enter a manic or depressive state that interferes with their ability to concentrate and make sound judgments.

Common Reasons for Bipolar Disorder Disability Claim Denial

Individuals can be diagnosed with a form of bipolar disorder, but the biggest issue when seeking bipolar disorder work disability benefits is proving to insurers that the condition severely limits a person’s ability to work.

Mental illnesses can be hard to prove for work-related disability claims. Bipolar symptoms are not always present, which insurers can cite to dismiss a claim.

A claimant can go weeks or months without an episode. They may also appear to be fine when sent for an appointment with insurer-aligned doctors.

As attorneys who often handle bipolar disorder disability claims, we routinely see insurers argue that claimants can still perform “any occupation”, including sedentary work. We also see arguments that mental status exams show their state to be “normal”, despite past episodes. Sometimes, insurers use medication and treatment to argue that a claimant’s mental health has improved enough to return to work.

Insurers have also been known to monitor a claimant’s social media accounts. A simple post where a person celebrates having a “good day” can be used against them to dismiss the seriousness of their disorder.

If you’ve received a bipolar disorder disability claim denial, a disability lawyer can help you understand the specific reasons your claim was denied and help you build a case for an appeal.

How a Bipolar Disorder Disability Attorney Can Assist Your Insurance Claim

Bipolar disorder symptoms can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to prove that the disability prevents a claimant from working. Fields Law attorneys can help you gather comprehensive evidence to file bipolar disorder disability claims or challenge a denial.

Our attorneys can help clients:

• Collect complete medical records, including frequency of episodes.
• Document treatments, therapies, and medications used.
• Work with vocational experts to document your work limitations and absences related to your disorder.
• Document side effects from bipolar medications that can further reduce your ability to consistently perform work duties.

Without comprehensive documentation of your disorder and the impact it has on your ability to maintain consistent and reliable employment, bipolar disorder insurance claims can be difficult to prove.

Fields Law can help you gather strong evidence and guide you through the process of filing a claim.

How to Respond to a Bipolar Disorder Disability Claim Denial

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is the federal law that governs many employer-sponsored disability plans. Under ERISA, claimants have a limited window to appeal an insurance disability denial.

Fields Law’s bipolar disorder disability lawyers can help you understand the reasons for your denial and build a strong case for appeal.

We can help you:

• Gather additional medical evidence
• Collect detailed statements from your treating physicians
• Obtain a written statement from your doctors that explains how bipolar disorder symptoms restrict your work capacity
• Work with vocational experts to further document how your condition affects your work duties

Our attorneys can also help you communicate with your insurance company, address the reason for your claim denial, and advocate for the full extent of benefits available under your policy