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?
| 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.
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