The Challenges Software Engineers Face When Filing For Long-Term Disability

A software engineer is a computer science professional who uses engineering principles and programming knowledge for projects such as building software products, designing, developing, and installing software solutions, developing computer games, and running network control systems.

In this article, we will explore the following:

• Why it is so difficult to file a long-term disability claim as a software engineer.
• How to file a winning claim.

Why It Is Difficult to Get LTD as a Software Engineer

Software engineers have many duties and responsibilities. Here is a short list of just some of the duties and responsibilities of a software engineer:

• Determine operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development, and proposed solutions.
• Documenting and demonstrating software solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments, and clean code.
• Prepare and install solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming.
• Improve operations by performing system analysis and recommending changes to policies and procedures.
• Acquire and license software by obtaining necessary information from vendors, recommending purchases, and testing and approving products.
• Updating professional knowledge by studying the latest development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment, attending educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Protect operations by maintaining the confidentiality of information.
• Provide information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing development and service issues.
• Accomplish engineering and organizational missions by completing related deliverables as required.
• Developing software solutions by studying information needs, consulting with users, studying system flow, data usage, and work processes, investigating problem areas, and following the software development life cycle.

Software engineers are often employed by a wide variety of companies, many of which offer disability insurance benefits. Some of the companies that may offer long-term disability insurance for software engineers include:

Depending on the company, sample software engineer skills, requirements, and qualifications may include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science
• Work experience as a software engineer or in a related field
• Ability to analyze existing tools and databases and make recommendations for software solutions
• Ability to translate business requirements into non-technical, lay terms
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze information
• General programming skills
• Software design
• Software debugging
• Software documentation
• Software testing
• Problem solving
• Software development fundamentals.
• Software development process
• Software requirements

In short, here is a list of the top 10 skills a software engineer may need in their job:

1. Complex problem solving
2. Critical thinking
3. Coordination with others
4. Judgment and decision making
5. Cognitive flexibility
6. Understanding of objectives
7. Good verbal communication skills
8. Problem solving skills
9. Good listener
10. Excellent time management skills

If a software engineer becomes disabled and applies for long-term disability claim, they will have a hard time getting approved. Why is that? Software engineers are well compensated for the high skill level required to do their job. Because the insurance company is looking at the case from a financial standpoint, they are looking at how much money it will cost the company to provide benefits to a software engineer throughout the duration of the illness or disability. The longer it might take to return to work, the more scrutiny the software engineer will face in the claims process.

Tips for a Successful Disability Claim

Tip #1. Gather Strong Medical Evidence

Obtaining comprehensive medical documentation is essential to a successful long-term disability claim. Gather all relevant medical evidence from your treating physicians and make sure they document your pain levels and cognitive difficulties in detail. While not always standard practice, detailed documentation is critical to supporting your claim. For example, if you have a significant back injury, such as a herniated disc, and your condition requires you to lie down for 50% of the day for pain relief, objective medical evidence such as MRIs or x-rays may support your subjective complaints of pain.

Tip #2. Be Prepared for Video Surveillance

Video surveillance is likely to be conducted when making a substantial monetary claim is made, such as for a software engineer. Surveillance is legal, and private investigators may observe your daily activities and gather information from neighbors. It’s important to refrain from engaging in strenuous activities or rushing back into your exercise routine during the claim period, as any such activities could be used against you during the administrative decision or in court.

Tip #3. Avoid Social Media

During the claim period, it’s wise to refrain from using social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat. Insurance investigators often monitor social media accounts and may try to use your posts against you to deny your claim. Even if you have free time at home, its best to stay off social media altogether to protect your claim.

Tip #4. Don’t Rush Back to Work

Recovering from a disability can be challenging and unproductive, especially for someone in a demanding role like a software engineer. Transitioning from an active schedule to a period of rest can feel restrictive, but it’s important not to return to work too soon. Returning to work before you are physically and mentally ready increases the risk of making mistakes that could cause further harm. Patience and giving yourself enough time to recover are key.

Tip #5. Consider Cognitive Issues

Cognitive impairment reduces a person’s ability to think and process information and can be caused by a variety of factors. Cognitive impairments include memory loss (both short- and long-term), difficulty with problem solving and language, confusion, stress management problems, time management problems, and challenges with communication and coordination. Cognitive impairment can result from conditions like delirium, dementia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or Huntington’s disease, as well as other medical problems and diagnoses. When a software engineer suffers from cognitive impairment, it is clear that they would have difficulty performing the material and substantial duties of the position.

However, insurance companies may not always recognize this obvious liability. They may claim that the insured has the functional capacity to return to work, even with cognitive impairment. In some cases, insurance companies may require an independent neuropsychological evaluation.

It’s important to remember that the examiner chosen by the insurance company may provide a biased report that favors the insurer’s interests. The Ortiz Law Firm has extensive experience assisting people in similar situations. We have a track record of successfully persuading insurance companies to reverse their denials, even based on unfavorable findings.

Representation by an Experienced Long-Term Disability Attorney

Software engineers will find it difficult to get a long-term disability claim approved. The insurance company will look for virtually any reason to deny the claim. By providing strong medical evidence, keeping a low profile, and not rushing back to work too soon, a software engineer can build a solid case for disability.

Using an experienced disability attorney will help you protect yourself from insurance investigators. The Ortiz Law Firm is based in Florida, but represents claimants nationwide. Call (888) 321-8131 for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you evaluate your claim to determine how to proceed with the process to recover the benefits you deserve.