When you apply for long-term disability benefits, your insurance company often will require you to participate in specific examinations and assessments. The point of these exercises is to determine whether you can perform the essential duties of your current occupation. However, the definition of disability in many LTD policies changes over time, often from whether you can work in your “own occupation” to whether you can work in “any occupation” based on your education, training, and experience. These exams also are useful to determine whether you could perform the functions of a less demanding occupation, despite your medical limitations.

A Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) is often a part of the Functional Capacity Examination (FCE). Typically, a doctor, nurse, or physical therapist employed by the insurance company conducts the TSA. This person will use the results of the TSA to decide whether you have transferable skills that would allow you to work in another type of job with any medical limitations or restrictions.

A portion of the TSA often is a questionnaire for you to fill out. You should be cautious about what you write down, as the insurance company may try to use the information that you provide against you. Rather than assuming that the questions are trying to get background information from you, you should assume that the questions are designed to prove that you are capable of some other type of employment.

Another portion of the TSA may involve a physical examination to measure your levels of strength, flexibility, and pain. Rather than trying to tough it out and do as much as you can without admitting to pain, you should be sure to express when a specific movement causes you pain. For instance, you should be clear about how far you can walk without discomfort, whether sitting down and standing up cause your pain, and whether carrying weight while walking is possible without significant pain. These are just a few examples of the different tasks that the TSA examiner may ask you to perform.

Bonnici Law Group provides client-focused representation throughout the ERISA claims process. We are here to consider the evidence in support of your ERISA long-term disability claim and evaluate your application. Next, we can develop the most effective strategy for fighting any denials of coverage that you may receive. Allow us to handle your legal needs while you focus on your physical and emotional health. Contact the ERISA long-term disability attorneys of Bonnici Law Group at 858-261-5454 or help@bonnicilawgroup.com.