40-Year-Old Lab Tech with Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety, and Back Problems Scores Victory on Disability Claim

A St. Charles Parish resident working at an oil refinery in Chalmette, LA had suffered with fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety and back problems for years.  This father of two battled his illnesses as long as he could so that he could keep his high paying job in which he worked for the last 10 years.  He sought treatment from a psychiatrist/psychologist for his depression and anxiety.  He received treatment from his internal medicine doctor for fibromyalgia and back problems.In this case, I focused on the claimant’s high-paying occupation and the fact of substantial earnings loss even if he were to obtain disability, as a factor for the claimant’s credibility.  I also focused on the significant changes the claimant was forced to make due to his illness including selling off much of his property, losing his home, and his lack of activities he used to enjoy like fishing.As strategy, I focused on convincing the judge that this claimant would not be a reliable employee based on his attendance record for the period immediately prior to his having to stop working.  The judge agreed with the argument and awarded benefits.  As a result, the claimant will recover (if he remains disabled until his full retirement age) almost $600,000 in benefits plus medical care that he paid for each pay check and with his hard work.