Are you no longer able to perform your job because of stroke complications? You might be able to apply for long-term disability insurance benefits, but it is in your best interest to seek assistance from an attorney before you move forward with the process.  In this article, you will discover a few of the services that an attorney will provide to make sure that your long-term disability benefits application is approved.

1. Review Your Employer's Disability Policy

You will need to ask someone in the human resource department at your workplace for a copy of the disability policy. Your attorney will need to review the policy so he or she can determine what your rights to long-term disability benefits are. For instance, some companies have specific medical policies that determine if you are qualified for long-term benefits. Basically, you must have a condition that has greatly affected your ability to perform the specific type of work that you normally do. Your attorney will also determine if you must remain at your job during the application process, as there might be a policy that makes you ineligible for benefits if you quit before applying.

2. Gather Sufficient Medical Evidence

You will have to give the attorney permission to get your medical records from the clinic that you are being treated at. The attorney will also obtain a notarized statement from your physician that explains how your stroke complications have affected your ability to work, and why it is considered long-term. Some of the medical documents that the lawyer may obtain include x-rays, MRIs and laboratory results. If you are suffering from the common stroke complication of partial paralysis, the attorney will obtain evidence even if you are clearly disabled. A second opinion from a different physician may also be obtained concerning your condition to make your case stronger.

3. Hire a Vocational Expert

A vocational expert is someone that has extensive knowledge about specific types of jobs. He or she will be able to confirm that your stroke complications make it difficult for you to continue doing the tasks that are done in your field of work. The vocational expert can also help the attorney prove that you deserve long-term disability benefits because the extent of jobs in your field of work is greatly limited due to your medical condition. Consult with a long-term disability attorney, such as Scott E. Shaffman Attorney At Law, as soon as you can.