Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people have experienced debilitating conditions due to the initial infection, resulting in a new wave of disabled workers. According to the CDC, 18 million Americans have suffered from or currently have long COVID, characterized by symptoms lasting longer than three months following the infection. As a result of these conditions, around 500,000 Americans were sidelined from the workforce in 2022.

One case that highlights this issue involves an ERISA attorney, John Joseph Conway, representing a plaintiff who was denied disability coverage by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company due to her post-COVID conditions. The plaintiff, experiencing symptoms such as seizures, memory loss, and digestive issues after contracting COVID-19 on the job, sought to continue on long-term leave following an unsuccessful short-term disability leave.

Despite this clear disability claim, Hartford rejected her case without conducting an evaluation using their own physicians. Instead, they reported that there was no claim after consulting with third-party physicians, creating discrepancies within the case. This case illustrates the reluctance of insurance companies to recognize and cover long COVID as a disability, as many did not anticipate this new risk in their contracts with employers.

The key focus of these companies is not to bear the financial responsibility for this new generation of disabled workers, leading to lawsuits like the one Conway is working on. Conway advises employees who contract COVID-19 to obtain a blood test that confirms the infection, even after they test negative. This evidence is crucial if they start experiencing long-term symptoms. Employers are also advised to reevaluate their insurers and ensure they are helpful to their employees when they have legitimate disability claims.

For more specific advice on disability claims and navigating the process, one can visit eddcaller.com or try to contact SDI (State Disability Insurance) directly. Remember that accurate documentation and early communication can make a big difference in these cases. If you need to communicate with EDD or SDI, make sure you’re well-prepared with any necessary documentation to back your claim.