The issue of whether a claimant with a relapsing and remitting condition is entitled to benefits arises fairly frequently in the disability context. Insurance companies often justify a denial of benefits on the fact that a claimant is in remission, or on the fact that a claimant’s variable symptoms have abated for a period of time.
In Colby v. Union Security Insurance Company & Management Company for Merrimack Anesthesia Associates Long Term Disability Plan, the First Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling that Colby, who suffered from opioid dependence, was entitled to LTD benefits due to her risk of relapse. Colby was an anesthesiologist whose practice allowed her ready access to opioids. Both her own doctors and several of the insurance company’s physicians had concluded that she was at a severe risk of relapse and that her returning to work would exacerbate this risk due to her occupation as an anesthesiologist and her comorbid back pain and mental health conditions. These opinions were supported by Colby’s continued struggle with addiction after leaving a treatment facility. The court concluded that, since the disability policy in question did not contain an exclusion for risk of relapse and that such a risk was a presently disabling condition, the District Court acted properly in awarding her benefits.
The risk of relapse is an issue in cases based on physical illnesses as well, particularly in cardiac cases where the stress of one’s occupation threatens to precipitate another cardiac event. See Dimsdale, “Psychological Stress and Cardiovascular Disease.” The Third Circuit addressed this issue in Lasser v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., where Lasser, an orthopedic surgeon, had a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and had suffered a heart attack. Lasser argued that the stress of his occupation, including on-call and emergency duties would put him at risk for another heart attack. The Court agreed, finding that Lasser’s risk of relapse was a present disability under his policy based on his treating doctors’ opinions on the gravity of the risk.
We at Bonny G. Rafel have an in-depth understanding of cardiac and risk-of-relapse cases. We can assist you in working to protect your claim by ensuring that your insurer has a full understanding of your medical history and the science behind your case.
– By Sara E. Kaplan, Esq.