Behr v. Maine Public Employees Retirement Sys.

What Happened
An employee with fibromyalgia applied for disability retirement benefits through the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. She claimed her condition made it impossible for her to continue working and requested retirement benefits based on her disability. The retirement system denied her application, so she appealed the decision to court.

What the Court Decided
The Maine Superior Court sided with the retirement system and denied the employee's appeal. The court found that while there was some evidence that could have supported the employee's claim, the retirement board's decision to deny benefits was reasonable and based on solid evidence. Most importantly, the court ruled that the employee failed to prove how severely fibromyalgia actually limited her ability to function and work.

Why This Matters for Workers
This case shows that workers seeking disability benefits must provide strong, detailed evidence about how their medical condition specifically prevents them from doing their job. It's not enough to simply have a diagnosis—you must clearly demonstrate the functional limitations and work restrictions your condition causes. Workers should gather comprehensive medical documentation and testimony about their daily limitations when applying for disability benefits.