Long Term Disability Claims Arising from Long COVID

This course taught by Matthew Maddox, an attorney with extensive experience with Long Term Disability Insurance and other ERISA claims, will discuss the first Long COVID long term disability decision in Federal Court: Abrams v. Unum Life Insurance Co. of Am., 2022 U.S. Dist. 231950 (W.D. Wash. December 27, 2022). In addition, Mr. Maddox will review hurdles Long COVID sufferers may face when filing a long term disability claim, and the current medical research regarding Long COVID, including a review of symptoms leading to restrictions and limitations.

This program will benefit any attorney advocating on behalf of a Long COVID claimant.

Learning Objectives:

1. Break down the diagnoses and symptoms of Long COVID
2. Analyze Abrams v. Unum Life Insurance and its holding that diagnoses are not, by themselves, disabling. Restrictions and limitations, no matter the diagnosis, are disabling
3. Identify other hurdles that Long COVID claimants face, including specific insurance policy provisions and other legal frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities' Act
4. Analyze objective testing and other proof for Long COVID claims