Articles Posted in Client Occupations

Maintenance workers perform physically demanding and labor intensive jobs that require the ability to frequently lift heavy equipment, manually move equipment and tools, stand for long periods, bend/twist/kneel/stoop often throughout the day, climb ladders, use their hands for repairing or installing equipment or fixtures, and perform timely repairs.

According to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, maintenance workers should be able to inspect machinery, dismantle and reassemble equipment, perform installation tasks, maintain records of maintenance, and use a variety of tools that could include hazardous equipment, handheld power tools, torches, and welding devices. It is important that maintenance workers have the ability to perform the duties safely. Some maintenance workers have additional supervisory responsibilities. The positions are typically classified as being at least “medium” in nature, requiring maintenance workers to exert 20 to 50 pounds occasionally.

In our experience, common medical conditions suffered by maintenance workers include conditions related to the physical exertion that is placed on their bodies, such as:

Nurses perform physically demanding jobs that require the ability to frequently lift heavy equipment, manually move patients, stand for long periods, bend/twist/kneel/stoop often throughout the day, provide assistance to doctors, and function quickly under demanding high-pressure situations.

According to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, nurses are required to also perform administrative tasks, including maintaining records and checking vitals of patients. Some nurses have additional supervisory responsibilities. The positions are typically classified as being at least “medium” in nature, requiring nurses to exert 20 to 50 pounds occasionally.

In our experience, common medical conditions suffered by nurses include conditions related to the physical exertion that is placed on their bodies, such as:

Assembly line workers have physically demanding jobs. Most assembly line workers perform repetitive movements, frequently lift heavy objects, stand for long periods, bend/twist/kneel/stoop often throughout the day, and function under demanding time constraints. According to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Assembly Line Workers perform repetitive tasks on an assembly line to mass produce various products. Assembling components, using tools, and performing a combination of tasks on a repetitive basis are possible duties on a production line.

In our experience, common medical conditions typically suffered by assembly line workers include, but are not limited to:

• Lumbar spine/back conditions
• Degenerative disc disease
• Bulging discs
• Radiculopathy
• Pulled muscles
• Torn rotator cuffs
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

It is important to know that ERISA disability policies often have a two-part definition for “disability.” Typically, an insurance company initially investigates to see if you can perform your regular or own occupation. However, after receiving disability benefits for a period of time (usually 24 months), the definition of disability may change. If that happens, the insurance company is no longer determining whether you can perform your own occupation. Instead, the insurance company investigates to see if you can perform any occupation. During this process, the insurance company often finds a less demanding job that it believes you can perform.