At Andalman & Flynn, we fight for and defend the rights of individuals with illnesses and physical impairments, including Lyme disease. If you have Lyme disease and are unable to work, we can help! We are familiar with the complex array of symptoms associated with this condition, both cognitive and physical, and represent many clients seeking Lyme disease disability benefits nationwide.
Contact us to speak with an experienced disability benefits lawyer on our team, and we’ll do everything we can to maximize your chances of success.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection an individual can get when bitten by certain kinds of deer ticks. Lyme disease has three general stages, and if untreated or if your illness is especially resistant to treatment, symptoms worsen at each stage.
- Stage one begins within days of being bitten and often involves:
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Flu-like symptoms
- A bull’s eye rash around bite mark
- Stage two begins weeks to months after being bitten with symptoms like:
- Muscle, joint, and tendon pain
- Loss of muscle control in the face
- Dizziness
- Meningitis
- An altered mental state
- Shooting pain that interferes with sleep
- Heart problems
- Encephalitis, which can cause memory loss, sleep disturbances, and mood changes
- Stage three begins months to years after being bitten. Symptoms include:
- Chronic symptoms that can affect the brain, nerves, eyes, joints, and heart
- Lyme encephalopathy which can cause subtle problems with concentration and short-term memory
- Chronic encephalomyelitis which can cause weakness in the legs, awkward walking, weakness in the facial muscles, bladder problems, vertigo, and back pain
Physical and Mental Symptoms of Lyme Disease
There can also be general physical and mental symptoms that manifest in varying degrees over the course of the disease.
- Physical symptoms:
- Shooting pains
- Numbness
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Debilitating daytime fatigue
- Arthritis in the knees and other joints
- Mild-tomoderate pain and swelling in the joints
- Mental symptoms:
- Loss of memory
- Panic attacks
- Anxiety
- Delusions
- Detachment from reality
- Overall changes in emotional state
- Difficulty understanding or interpreting what one is seeing
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease does not occur all over the country; it is most prevalent in the northeast and upper mid-west. In 2013, 95% of reported cases were from 14 states in these regions. For instance, many cases came from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and other states surrounding this area. Andalman & Flynn is based in Silver Spring and Rockville, MD, and we have extensive experience representing clients who seek Lyme disease disability benefits.
When Lyme Disease Prevents You from Working
Lyme disease has many symptoms, and though an individual with Lyme may not experience each and every one of them, the severity of the symptoms can make working difficult. For instance, someone working in a physically demanding job, such as construction or anything that involves lifting and active movement, maybe be unable to perform their normal work if they are experiencing muscle issues and dizziness. Also, the psychological symptoms involved with this illness can prevent someone from working in any job as they would be unable to sit still and concentrate on their tasks.
Consult with Experienced Lyme Disease Lawyers
If you suffer from Lyme disease and it has made you unable to perform your work duties, contact Andalman & Flynn. Our disability benefits attorneys are experienced in representing individuals throughout the country who are struggling with this difficult condition. We offer initial consultations free of charge to our disability clients. If you are interested in setting up a meeting with our one of our experienced Lyme disease lawyers, either in person or by phone, please fill out an online contact form or call us at 301-563-6685.