Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Attorneys

Chronic fatigue syndrome is more than just “feeling tired today.” It is a chronic condition that can become so debilitating that even normal, everyday activities can become excruciating. With the constant and nagging fatigue, headaches, waking up in the morning feeling as if you hadn’t slept at all, it can seem like you are living in a kind of waking nightmare. Chronic fatigue syndrome can become so debilitating that the symptoms prevent individuals from working or even completing routine daily tasks.

At Hankey Marks & Crider, we know you are suffering. This condition can rob you of your ability to earn an income, even to care for yourself in your own home. You may be frightened by your diagnosis and even more concerned about how it will impact your financial situation and your future. If you have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, the team at Hankey Marks & Crider wants you to know you may qualify for government benefits. Which ones and how can you apply? Contact our office today by calling (317) 634-8565 and let us review your case. We can give you advice on which benefits may be right for you and help you navigate the complex government benefits system.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also identified as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, is a chronic illness that impacts multiple systems of the body. It is an extremely complicated condition that is mainly characterized by extreme fatigue. This fatigue is severe to the point where it interrupts an individual’s daily routine and their normal course of activities. It can be a debilitating illness that confines once-active people to their beds and limits a person’s ability to engage in work and leisure activities. Symptoms of the disease often present as general fatigue and tiredness. Other symptoms may include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Memory or concentration problems
• Chronic insomnia
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Frequent sore throats
• Tender and swollen lymph nodes

These symptoms are very broad and may point to a number of other more common conditions, which makes getting a diagnosis difficult. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans may be impacted by the condition. However, 84 to 91 percent of those individuals have yet to receive a firm ME diagnosis. No test exists that can screen for the disorder. Because symptoms are so general in nature, physicians have to use the process of elimination in order to rule out other conditions before settling on a ME diagnosis. The condition’s cause is still unknown and there are no specific medications on the market that treat the illness itself.

Other Problems with Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As many chronic fatigue syndrome patients can attest, the condition is wildly misunderstood and can be extremely difficult to diagnose properly. Symptoms can vary with each individual, and the severity of symptoms may fluctuate. Oftentimes, people suffering from ME do not look physically ill, making it even more difficult to arrive at a diagnosis. This also makes it difficult for the sufferer to be taken seriously by medical professionals, friends, family, and employers. Many patients become frustrated in their search for answers.

Studies have shown that chronic fatigue syndrome impacts four times as many women as it does men. Studies and news outlets often highlight the struggles women have with reaching a diagnosis because they aren’t believed, or people tell them that their symptoms are all in their heads.

Do You Qualify for Benefits?

With the extra skepticism placed on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, many don’t realize that they may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. They may have experienced undue hardship and scrutiny from friends, family members, and employers because many don’t look physically ill or incapacitated.

However, chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious condition that takes a heavy toll on the body and impacts an individual’s ability to complete even the most simple and routine daily tasks. The impacts of the disease can be so destructive that the Social Security Administration does list it as a covered impairment. That means if chronic fatigue syndrome has robbed you of your ability to earn a living, you may be able to get benefits from the government to help stabilize your financial situation.

However, because it can be hard to obtain a firm chronic fatigue diagnosis, some patients feel that they may lack the reams of paperwork needed to qualify for benefits. In fact, the government does have a lengthy list of criteria and medical paperwork that they require for an individual to even be considered for receiving benefits. These complicated requirements and the potential lack of support that chronic fatigue patients often experience in general means that many people who should be getting benefits never even take the time to apply.

Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for Benefits?

An attorney is an immensely valuable tool for people interested in filing a benefits application. At Hankey Marks & Crider, we understand the tremendous physical and mental toll that chronic fatigue syndrome can take on an individual. That’s why we pride ourselves on handling your case with sensitivity and compassion.

We will review your circumstances, medical history, and financial situation and advise you of the benefit programs that you may qualify for. We can then help you collect the necessary documentation that the Social Security Administration requires and assist you in filling out the application.

This is the step that most people find frustrating and confusing when trying to apply without help. Anything that can be seen as unclear, a mistake, or a missed detail on an application can result in a rejection. By securing the aid of an experienced attorney, your chances of submitting a successful application increase.

While seeking advice from the very beginning of the process is advisable, some individuals want to try applying on their own. Once they receive a rejection, they may mistakenly believe that their options have now been exhausted.

If you or a loved one have chronic fatigue syndrome and have been rejected for social security benefits, you may still be able to apply. It is worth getting in touch with an experienced attorney who can review your case and advise you on your available options.

How Can Hankey Marks & Crider Help You?

At Hankey Marks & Crider, we understand that you have been through a lot. It may feel like you are constantly in battle mode, fighting to get a diagnosis, fighting to get people to understand you are sick, fighting to get the benefits you deserve. Stop fighting. Call the experienced team at Hankey Marks & Crider and let us pick up the fight for you while you focus on what’s really important: your health.

We want you to have the financial stability you deserve. Call our office at (317) 634-8565, and let’s talk about how we can help you get the Social Security benefits you need.