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 create a winning claim.

Why It Is Challenging to Get LTD as a Software Engineer

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

• Determining 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 clear code.
• Preparing and installing solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming.
• Improving operations by conducting systems analysis and recommending changes in policies and procedures.
• Obtaining and licensing software by obtaining required information from vendors, recommending purchases, and testing and approving products.
• Updating job knowledge by studying state-of-the-art development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Protecting operations by keeping information confidential.
• Providing information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing development and service issues.
• Accomplishing engineering and organization mission by completing related results as needed.
• Developing software solutions by studying information needs, conferring with users, studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes, investigating problem areas, and following the software development lifecycle.

Software engineers are frequently employed by a wide variety of companies, many of which provide disability insurance benefits. Some of the companies that may provide 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 provide software solution recommendations
• Ability to translate business requirements into non-technical, lay terms
• High-level written and verbal communication skills
• Analyzing 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 require in their job:

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

If a software engineer becomes disabled and files a long-term disability claim, they will have a hard time getting approved. Why? 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, it is looking at how much money it will cost the company to provide a software engineer with benefits throughout the illness or disability. The longer it could 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 for a successful long-term disability claim. Collect all relevant medical evidence from your treating physicians, ensuring they document your pain levels and cognitive difficulties in detail. While not always standard practice, detailed documentation will be crucial for supporting your claim. For instance, if you have a significant back injury like herniated discs, and your condition necessitates lying down for 50% of the day to alleviate pain, objective medical evidence such as MRIs or X-rays can reinforce your subjective complaints of pain.

Tip #2. Be Prepared for Video Surveillance

Video surveillance will likely be conducted when making a substantial monetary claim, such as for a software engineer. Surveillance is legal, and private investigators may monitor your daily activities and gather information from neighbors. It’s important to refrain from engaging in strenuous activities or rushing back into exercise routines 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 advisable 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 spare time at home, staying off social media entirely is best 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. The transition from an active schedule to a rest period can feel restrictive, but it’s crucial not to return to work prematurely. Returning to work before you are physically and mentally ready increases the risk of making mistakes that could cause further harm. Patience and allowing yourself adequate time for recovery are key.

Tip #5. Consider Cognitive Problems

Cognitive impairment reduces a person’s ability to think and process information, which various factors can cause. Cognitive impairment includes memory loss (both short and long-term), difficulties with problem-solving and language, confusion, stress management issues, time management problems, and challenges in communication and coordination. Cognitive impairments 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 experiences cognitive impairment, it becomes evident that they would struggle to perform their position’s material and substantial duties.

However, insurance companies may not always acknowledge this apparent liability. They might assert that the insured has the functional capacity to return to work, even with cognitive impairments. In some cases, insurance companies may request an independent neuropsychological examination. It’s important to remember that the examiner chosen by the insurance company may provide a biased report favoring the insurer’s interests. The Ortiz Law Firm has significant experience assisting claimants in similar situations. We have a track record of successfully persuading insurance companies to reverse their denial decisions, even based on unfavorable examination results.

Representation by an Experienced Long-Term Disability Attorney

Software engineers will find it challenging to get a long-term disability claim approved. The insurance company will search 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 create a solid case for disability.

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