Babesiosis and Long-Term Disability Claims

Babesiosis may be less well known than Lyme disease, but for those who suffer long-term complications, it can be just as disabling. Transmitted by tick bites, this parasitic infection attacks red blood cells and can lead to severe flu-like symptoms and serious complications—especially in people with weakened immune systems. If you’ve been diagnosed with babesiosis and are unable to work due to ongoing symptoms, you may be eligible for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.

What Is Babesiosis?

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells, most commonly transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease. The condition can be acute and resolve with treatment, but in some cases, symptoms persist or recur, leading to chronic health problems that can affect your ability to work.

Symptoms That May Affect Your Ability to Work

Initial symptoms may resemble a bad case of the flu. However, some people experience prolonged or recurring symptoms such as:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• High fever, chills, and sweating
• Muscle and joint aches
• Headaches

Some people recover within a few weeks or months, but others may have a longer illness. Persistent symptoms like headaches and debilitating fatigue can interfere with even sedentary work. Tasks that require concentration, communication, or physical stamina may become impossible to perform day after day.

Recovery may be especially slow or incomplete for people with other health conditions or weakened immune systems. Co-infection with other tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease or anaplasmosis, can also increase the severity of symptoms and lead to a more prolonged or disabling experience.

Severe Complications and Life-Threatening Risks

While many cases of babesiosis are mild to moderate, the infection can be life-threatening, especially for people with compromised immune systems. People undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, or people without a spleen are particularly susceptible to serious complications.

In these cases, babesiosis can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congestive heart failure, liver and kidney failure, hemolytic anemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a serious blood clotting disorder. These complications can lead to prolonged hospitalization, organ failure, or even death.

Because these risks are so serious, individuals in high-risk groups often require intensive monitoring and long-term care, further impacting their ability to work or maintain a regular schedule.

Challenges in Long-Term Disability Claims for Babesiosis

Because babesiosis is relatively rare and not always well understood, insurers may be skeptical about the diagnosis or the severity of your symptoms. Common reasons for denial include:

• Insufficient objective medical evidence
• Gaps in treatment or follow-up care
• Assumption that the condition is short-term
• Misunderstanding of chronic fatigue and neurological symptoms

Insurance companies often push back hardest on claims involving symptoms that don’t show up clearly on lab tests or imaging. This makes thorough and consistent documentation all the more important.

Support Your Disability Claim with Medical Evidence

To increase your chances of approval, your claim should include:

• Laboratory confirmation of babesiosis infection
• Detailed clinical notes from treating physicians
• Specialist evaluations (infectious disease, rheumatology, etc.)
• Documentation of ongoing symptoms, especially fatigue and cognitive issues
• Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) or neuropsychological testing if applicable

It also helps to include written statements or residual functional capacity (RFC) forms from your physicians that clearly link your symptoms to work limitations, as well as employer documentation showing how your condition interferes with job performance.

How the Ortiz Law Firm Can Help

If your long-term disability claim for long-term disability benefits due to Babesiosis has been denied or terminated, the Ortiz Law Firm is here to help. We focus exclusively on disability claims and have experience dealing with complex, poorly understood medical conditions like tick-borne illnesses.

We can gather the right medical evidence, work with your doctors, and build a strong appeal. Even if you’re outside of Florida, we represent clients nationwide in ERISA disability appeals and lawsuits.

Don’t give up if your claim has been denied. Contact us today to discuss your options and protect your rights. Call (888) 321-8131 to get started.