Thread: Can you be put on medical leave for disability in Cali for being morbidly obese?

My mom is severly overweight. She has a really horrible stressful job(for a health insurance company of all places!)
and her company will not pay for gastric bypass or lapband surgery or dietician or anything..it's so unfair since they have services for bulemics/anorexia and drug/alchol people, but refuse to cover for addiction to food. Anyway, she has 4 weeks vacation every year and for 3rd year in a row she lost over 15lbs during it. She explained to her doctor she doesn't really do anything different, except there is no stress and she is not sitting all day in front of a computer for 10 hours. So he says so find another job. She went to new doctor who says to quit her job and go on welfare so medical will pay for gastric! It's insane she is getting no one to listen to her. She has an appt with new doc on Monday, & I think she should asked to be signed on disability until she gets her weight down to where she can walk and not have her feet swell so bad she has to sit down.
I know if she wasn't working she could do it. She weighs 350, 5 ft 7 inches,45 years old with no medical problems yet like high blood pressure or diabetes..which is amazing at her weight. So please, if you know the answer or can point me to a website I can give her..no mean stuff, I love my momma and you have no idea all she has been through.
And my mom has tried to find a new job she has great resume but never makes it past interview process..even at my company. We think it's her appearance that causes employers to pass on her and because they don't want to insure her.

Hi there,

I did a little research on your topic because it interested me. I know a ton of people (no pun intended) who are obese and should be on disability because they are physically and mentally unable to cope with the stresses of their workplace.

Anyhow, I found a link to a law firm in Chula Vista, California. ( www.obesitylaw.com ) Here's a clip from their homepage:"Established by Walter Lindstrom in 1996, The Obesity Law & Advocacy Center is the first and premier advocacy practice devoted to representing the interests of morbidly obese persons in health care and discrimination matters. We work with people all over the country who suffer from this devastating disease who are seeking help with:

Challenging insurance companies who deny access to medically necessary bariatric surgery and other types of health care for the diseases of obesity and morbid obesity through their internal appeals process or through external (independent) reviews.

Pursuing or consulting with victims of employment discrimination, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)violations and wrongful termination based on weight."

You may be able to speak with someone there who can answer questions you have about your mom. They also have a link to various resources for bariatric surgeons and support groups, etc, who may be able to shed some light on your situation.

Best of luck to you!!

Your mom needs to find a doctor who will listen to her and work with her. There is no real reason she cannot go out on stress leave(she may have to have regular sessions with a shrink to prove her stress)..but I have to warn you, I too work for an insurance company and they are brutal on people who go out on stress leave. They will pick apart her personal life so they can avoid paying the disability saying it's something other than her job. AND they will send her to their doctors to evaluate it,,and from there its all down hill since their doctors are on their payroll. .good luck

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She needs to start meditation to releive stress. Also, changing jobs will help. Sorry this may not sound to you like much.