What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and how might it benefit fibromyalgia patients?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers employers who employ more than fifty people (some states are considering legislation that would lower this to twenty-five employees). The FMLA allows you to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave to care for yourself, your sick child, spouse, or parent without losing your job. This time-out could be crucial for fibromyalgia patients who are trying to get a painful flare-up under control, or for those who are having trouble getting their condition properly diagnosed and treated.

Medical leave must be made available to employees with serious health conditions under Federal Regulations Part 825, The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Under FMLA law, a “serious health condition” is a condition that leaves you unable to perform your job, and requires inpatient care at a medical care facility, or continuing treatment by a licensed health care provider. Serious health conditions resulting in workers’ compensation coverage are included within this definition.

Return to: Fibromyalgia and Benefits or view one of the following: When was Fibromyalgia first identified? What are the physical symptoms of Fibromyalgia ? What is Guaifenesin ? What factors may aggravate fibrofog ? What medications are used to treat fibromyalgia ? What causes fibromyalgia ? What other health conditions are associated with fibromyalgia ? Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits What is fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) ? How can fibromyalgia patients improve sleep quality? Are there other areas for tender points ?