As of August 29, 2020, there have been almost 25 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide. And yet, there is still so much unknown about this mysterious and dangerous virus. It’s clear that the virus can do serious damage to our bodies, and some effects could be permanent. This leads to the question: Can I receive long-term disability for Covid-19 related complications? 

Before we dive into whether or not you can receive long-term disability for Covid-10 related complications, let’s discuss what these complications could be. 

What types of long-term complications can result from Covid-19?

While Covid-19 takes the biggest hit on the lungs, doctors now believe that the virus can also damage your heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs (although they’re still unsure why). There are a few theories:

• Low oxygen levels can harm your organs if serious enough.
• The virus can cause severe inflammation and swelling that can damage organs.
• The virus could actively be attacking our brains and hearts, and we just don’t know it yet.

It’s estimated that about 1 in 5 Covid-19 survivors has heart related damage from the virus. In order to get a better understanding of heart related damage, doctors have looked to pneumonia research for reference. And as we know already, pre-existing heart conditions (and other health conditions) can also lead to worse long-term damage than someone who didn’t have pre-existing conditions. 

Doctors are also starting to highlight post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) as a post Covid-19 condition. In addition to organ damage, being on a ventilator for a long period of time can pose its challenges. PICS is caused by a variety of factors, mostly due to the physical and emotional stress of being in the ICU, and being on sedatives and other medications. Memory loss, lack of concentration, speech problems, muscle weakness, depression, and anxiety are just a few of the symptoms that can arise. These problems can persist for weeks, months, or even years. And the longer you’re on a ventilator, the worse PICS gets. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has left patients for ventilators for weeks. 

So with all this being said, is it valid to seek out long-term disability from Covid-19 complications? 

The answer is, there is no definitive answer. Many have been seeking short-term disability, as most complications fit into this shorter time frame of coverage. However if you’re unable to work from the complications and anticipate it being long-term (over 12 months), we would recommend contacting a disability lawyer to help you with your case. 

And that’s where we come in! If you’re battling long-term complications from Covid-19 and need help navigating these uncharted waters, Disability Associates has you covered. You won’t be charged unless you win your case, and we will do everything we can to make sure the process goes smoothly! You can contact us online today, or give us a call at (410) 686-2227.