Many professionals and business people think they’re “exempt” from the possibility of becoming disabled. The following list of actual claimants is taken from a major insurance carrier’s disability files. What causes of disability could prevent you from working?
📈 The Shift from Accident to Illness
There is a common misconception that disability insurance is primarily for accidents (car crashes, falls). In reality, 90% of long-term disability claims are caused by illnesses.
Recent industry data indicates a sharp rise in Mental/Nervous and Autoimmune claims among physicians post-2020. This shift makes the "Definition of Disability" in your policy more critical than ever—ensure your policy covers illness as comprehensively as injury.
Targeted Risks by Medical Specialty
While illness can strike anyone, certain specialists are statistically more vulnerable to specific conditions due to the physical demands of their work:
| Specialty | Primary Vulnerability | Common Diagnoses |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeons | Fine Motor Skills & Standing | Cervical Spine Radiculopathy, Arthritis (Hands), Tremors |
| Dentists | Static Posture & Grip | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Tears, Lower Back Pain |
| Anesthesiologists | High Stress & Substance Exposure | Substance Abuse, Cardiac Issues, Severe Burnout |
| Emergency Med | Shift Work & Sleep Disruption | Autoimmune Disorders, Clinical Depression, Sleep Apnea |
| Cause of Disability | Age | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Myocardial Infarction | 42 | President-Executive |
| Cervical and Lumbar Back Sprain | 34 | Advertising Consultant |
| Anxiety Disorder, Depression | 30 | CPA |
| Neurotic Depression | 35 | Insurance Broker |
| Severe Headaches, Anxiety | 42 | CPA |
| Coronary Artery Disease | 62 | Executive – Vice President |
| Degenerative Disc Disease | 54 | Veterinarian |
| Uncontrolled Diabetes | 31 | Attorney |
| Multiple Trauma-Accident | 38 | President – Construction Company |
| Cancer of Lung | 48 | General Sales Manager |
| Bipolar Disorder, Manic Depression | 38 | Director of Advertising |
| Acute Myocardial Infarction, Acute Encephalopathy | 51 | Attorney |
| Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Angina | 55 | Accountant |
| Cerebral Aneurysm | 55 | Psychiatrist |
| 2 Lumbar Laminectomies | 42 | ER Physician |
| Severe Coronary Artery Disease | 58 | Ophthalmologist |
| Degenerative Disc Disease | 59 | Manufacturer’s Representative |
| Carcinoma Lung | 60 | Orthopedic Surgeon |
| Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) | 36 | Dentist |
| Lumbar Nerve Root Irritation | 55 | Orthopedic Surgeon |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | 58 | Pathologist |
| Brain Tumor | 48 | Medical Doctor |
| Multiple Sclerosis | 58 | Vice President |
| Left Brachial Plexus Compression Syndrome | 34 | Dentist |
| Parkinson’s Disease | 62 | CPA |
| Acute Myocardial Infarction | 45 | Owner / Manager |
| Myocardial Infarction, Coronary Artery Disease | 62 | OB/Gyn |
| Pancreatitis, Neuropathy, Diabetes, Angina | 52 | Pediatrician |
| Fracture, Elbow-Radial Head and Neck | 55 | General Surgeon |
| Parkinson’s Disease | 59 | Vascular Surgeon |
| Multiple Sclerosis | 37 | ER Physician |
| Peripheral Myelopathy | 30 | Dentist |
| Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, Angina | 44 | Thoracic Surgeon |
| Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma | 48 | Plastic Surgeon |
| Crohn’s Disease | 43 | Surgeon |
| Obstructed Right Lateral Ventricle, Seizures | 31 | Orthopedic Surgeon |
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder | 54 | Neurosurgeon |
| Acute Myocardial Infarction | 58 | Radiologist |
| Angina Pectoris, Coronary Artery Disease | 56 | Psychiatrist |
| Multiple Trauma, Skull Fracture, Memory Loss | 55 | Trial Attorney |
| Multiple Sclerosis | 41 | OB/Gyn |
| Lumbar Disc Disease Right Laminectomy | 51 | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Neuropathy, Collagen Disease, Chronic Pain Syndrome | 47 | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Thoracic Outlet Syndrome | 50 | V.P. Finances |
| Diabetic Neuropathy, Lower Extremities | 46 | Neurologist |
| Degenerative Arthritis Both Hands | 63 | Surgeon |
| Degenerative Disc Disease | 58 | Orthopedic Surgeon |
| Severe Angina, Depression | 55 | General Practice |
For more common causes of disability, see here.
💡 Data Insight: The "Young Physician" Risk
Review the table above closely. Over 40% of these claimants were under age 45 when they became disabled.
Notice the 34-year-old Dentist with a Brachial Plexus injury and the 30-year-old CPA with Anxiety. These conditions strike during the prime earning years—often before substantial savings have been built. This is why securing "Non-Cancelable" coverage during Residency (when rates are lowest) is the most strategic financial move a young doctor can make.
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.