Dabdoub Law Firm recently secured total disability benefits for a dentist in Los Angeles who was unable to complete even part-time, light-duty tasks due to debilitating hand pain. Attorney Edward Dabdoub personally worked on this case and communicated with Protective Life Insurance Company on behalf of our client. Without the need for difficult settlement negotiations or litigation, the insurance company agreed to continue paying her disability benefits.
What to Know About This Case:
- A Los Angeles dentist developed severe hand arthritis that made even part-time, light-duty dental work unsafe and unsustainable.
- Protective Life Insurance Company was expected to argue she could continue working in a reduced capacity despite her condition.
- Strong medical evidence and real-world proof of functional limitations were key to securing total disability benefits.
- Dabdoub Law Firm focuses exclusively on disability insurance claims and has extensive experience helping professionals nationwide win benefits in complex cases.
When Hand Arthritis Makes Dentistry Impossible
A dentist who loved her practice began to suffer from serious hand pain that would often flare. The symptoms were consistent with arthritis, but their impact on her ability to perform dental procedures became increasingly severe over time.
Dentistry is a hands-on profession that requires precision, strength, and endurance. Even minor impairments in hand function can compromise patient care. As her condition progressed, she realized that continuing to perform procedures could put both her health and her patients at risk.
Recognizing the seriousness of her condition and how it would make it unsafe for her to complete many dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, she attempted to keep working in a limited capacity. She reduced her schedule and focused only on light-duty work, including basic examinations.
Unfortunately, even this reduced workload was not sustainable. After just three short sessions of work in a row, her symptoms worsened significantly. She experienced swelling, soreness, and persistent aches that made it impossible to continue. This setback made it clear that she could not work at all without risking serious consequences.
Filing a Long-Term Disability Claim with Protective Life
After realizing she could no longer practice dentistry, she filed for total disability benefits through her policy with Protective Life Insurance Company.
Long-term disability insurance claims involving arthritis and chronic pain conditions are often heavily scrutinized. Insurance companies frequently argue that claimants can still perform some type of work, particularly part-time or modified duties.
In this case, the insurer was likely to argue:
- The dentist could continue working in a light-duty capacity
- Part-time work was reasonable and sustainable
- Her condition did not meet the policy’s definition of total disability
These arguments are common in disability insurance denials, especially for high-skilled professionals whose roles require specific physical abilities.
How Dabdoub Law Firm Strengthened the Disability Claim
She came to Dabdoub Law Firm for help securing her disability benefits. Attorney Edward Dabdoub personally handled the case and communicated directly with Protective Life Insurance Company.
With decades of experience in long-term disability claims, he anticipated the insurer’s strategy and built a case focused on the most critical legal and medical issues.
Proving Total Disability for a Dentist
The claim emphasized that total disability is not about whether someone can perform minimal tasks. It is about whether they can reliably perform the substantial and material duties of their occupation.
Addressing Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often focus on theoretical work capacity rather than real-world limitations. Dabdoub Law Firm countered this by clearly showing that:
- Dentistry requires consistent, precise hand function
- Any impairment creates safety risks
- Partial ability does not equal employability
By focusing on these points, the claim directly addressed and overcame the insurer’s likely arguments.
Why Arthritis Disability Claims Are Often Denied
Many disability insurance claims involving arthritis, chronic pain, or musculoskeletal conditions are initially denied or challenged. This is because:
- Symptoms can fluctuate and may not appear severe in isolation
- Insurers may argue that claimants can perform sedentary or modified work
- The impact on specialized professions is often misunderstood
For dentists, surgeons, and other professionals who rely on fine motor skills, even small impairments can be career-ending.
Lawyers with Expertise in Disability Insurance Claims & Appeals
Our law firm has always focused only on disability insurance law. Because we specialize in long-term disability, our clients get the benefit of:
- Having an attorney who is an expert in long-term disability claims;
- Having an attorney who has experience with every major disability insurance company; and
- Being backed by a law firm that has a proven track record of winning tough disability lawsuits.
Call (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with an experienced disability attorney. Pay no fees or costs unless you get paid.
We help with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.