Trochanteric Bursitis and Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims

If you’ve been diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis and your long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim has been denied or cut off, you may be wondering what went wrong and what to do next. This page will help you understand how the condition can affect your ability to work, what kind of medical evidence is needed to support your claim, and how an LTD attorney can help you in your appeal.

What Is Trochanteric Bursitis?

Trochanteric bursitis is a painful and often debilitating condition that can affect your ability to work, especially in physically demanding jobs. It occurs when the bursa, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the outer part of the hip, becomes inflamed. When the nearby bursa becomes irritated, it can cause a sharp, aching pain that radiates down the outer thigh.

Causes and Risk Factors

Common causes and risk factors for trochanteric bursitis include:

• Repetitive hip movements or overuse (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, running)
• Trauma or falls to the hip
• Poor posture or gait abnormalities
• Leg length discrepancy
• Hip surgery or prosthesis
• Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Women, especially those between the ages of 40 and 60, are more likely to develop the condition than men.

Symptoms and Long-Term Effects

The most common symptom is hip pain, which can get worse with:

• Lying on the affected side
• Prolonged walking or standing
• Getting up from a chair
• Climbing stairs or hills

If left untreated, chronic inflammation can lead to persistent pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and functional impairment.

How Trochanteric Bursitis Can Limit Work Ability

For many people, the pain and limited range of motion caused by trochanteric bursitis make it difficult or impossible to perform essential job functions. The impact varies by job type, but the functional limitations often include:

• Standing or Walking for Long Periods of Time: A problem for retail workers, teachers, health care workers, and warehouse employees.
• Climbing, Squatting, or Kneeling: Particularly difficult for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, and delivery drivers.
• Prolonged Sitting: Even sedentary office jobs can be challenging if hip pain is exacerbated by sitting or getting up from a chair.

The condition can also disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings that can affect work performance.

Support Your LTD Claim with Medical Evidence

Because insurers often require objective proof of disability, it’s important to build a strong medical record. Helpful documentation includes:

• Clinical notes from your treating physician documenting pain, tenderness, and range of motion limitations.
• Imaging studies, such as MRI or ultrasound, demonstrating inflammation in the trochanteric bursa.
• Records of treatment attempts, including physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgical procedures (if any).
• Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) or physical therapy evaluations detailing specific physical limitations.
• Pain diaries or witness statements describing how your symptoms affect daily life and work.

The stronger and more consistent your medical evidence, the harder it is for the insurance company to justify a denial.

Hypothetical Case Example

Let’s consider “Samantha,” a 52-year-old registered nurse who developed trochanteric bursitis after years of working 12-hour hospital shifts. She initially tried to manage the pain with NSAIDs and physical therapy, but her condition worsened over time. She could no longer stand or walk for long periods of time, and even sitting for charting became uncomfortable. Her doctor recommended that she take time off from work and she eventually filed an LTD claim.

The insurance company initially approved her claim but terminated benefits after six months, citing a lack of “objective evidence” that her condition was still disabling. Despite continuing symptoms, the insurer relied on a paper review by a non-examining physician, and Samantha’s claim was denied.

At this point, Samantha sought legal help. Her attorney helped her gather updated imaging, treatment notes, and a narrative report from her orthopedic specialist explaining her ongoing limitations. With this stronger documentation, she successfully appealed the denial and had her benefits reinstated.

Common Challenges in Trochanteric Bursitis Disability Claims

Claimants with trochanteric bursitis may encounter several obstacles, including:

• Claims of Insufficient Objective Evidence: Insurers may say your condition is “subjective” if imaging is inconclusive or pain severity can’t be measured.
• Minimizing your Condition: Because bursitis is often considered a temporary or mild condition, insurers may deny claims based on outdated stereotypes.
• Surveillance: Insurance companies may use video surveillance or social media to question your credibility, especially if you’re seen walking or performing light tasks.
• Biased “Independent” Reviews: Many claims are denied after their file is reviewed by a doctor who never saw you in person.

These challenges make it especially important to anticipate insurer tactics and respond with strong evidence and legal support.

How a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Can Help

If your trochanteric bursitis disability claim has been denied or terminated, a long-term disability attorney can help you:

• Review the denial letter to understand the insurer’s reasoning and identify weaknesses in their argument.
• Request and review the complete claim file to identify errors, omissions, or biased medical opinions.
• Coordinate with your doctors to obtain supportive statements and medical evidence that directly address the policy’s definition of disability.
• Prepare a strong appeal, citing both medical evidence and relevant legal arguments.
• File a lawsuit in federal court, if necessary, to challenge an unfair denial.

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we help clients nationwide navigate the complex world of long-term disability claims, appeals, and litigation.

Contact the Ortiz Law Firm for Help with a Denied LTD Claim

If your long-term disability claim for trochanteric bursitis has been denied or your benefits have been cut off, the Ortiz Law Firm may be able to help. We offer personalized advice, nationwide representation, and a strong track record of successfully appealing LTD claim denials.

Call us today at (888) 321-8131 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you protect your rights and fight for the benefits you deserve.