Applying for Disability Benefits When Waiting For A Diagnosis
Waiting for a diagnosis when you know you are sick can be a stressful ordeal. Experiencing physical symptoms that seemingly have no medical reason can be a psychological and emotional roller coaster.
On top of that, trying to claim disability benefits with your insurance company without a solid medical diagnosis can further complicate the process. Today, Share Lawyers shares the story of Heather and her journey of achieving insurance benefits while struggling without a diagnosis.
Heather's Story
The first thing people usually notice about Heather is her infectious smile. Always positive and warm, Heather is the kind of person who always looks on the bright side of things. A native to Calgary, Heather works as a customer relations advisor for a major energy company and loves the interactions with people that her job provides.
Five years ago, her doctor told her she has degenerative disc disease, but she didn’t let that get her down. She was only 40 years old and she knew that if she took care of herself, she would be able to manage her pain.
Heather started going to the local community centre and using the pool to exercise at least three times a week. She avoided lifting heavy objects and even moved into a new house that required fewer stairs and had easier accessibility.
But Heather knew something else was wrong when she started getting totally winded from minimal activity. She found that she was unable to stay asleep at night, even though she was exhausted all day.
Struggling With No Diagnosis
She thought it might have to do with her back, so she went to a pain specialist. This specialist referred her to a neurologist, who eventually sent her to a sleep specialist. However, none of them were able to see anything that would be causing these symptoms. While she was given the run around, her symptoms were getting worse.
Heather became unable to focus on her job. It was scary for her when she would climb a short set of stairs and feel like she just couldn’t catch her breath. Her brain was foggy and she always felt fatigued. She had an upcoming appointment with a cardiologist, but had to wait some time before their first meeting.
She applied for short term benefits, to help hold her over in the time before meeting with the cardiologist. But, because there was no medical diagnosis or doctor who could confidently say what was wrong with her, her claim was denied.
She couldn’t go on like this. As her health failed her, her cheery disposition began to get worn down, and she knew she wouldn’t be effective at her job. While desperately researching online to find some answers, she found the Share Lawyers website and contacted them to help her pursue her claim. Share Lawyers began the process, understanding how essential it was to get Heather her insurance benefits.
Claim Denied Due To No Diagnosis
After a few months, she was able to see the cardiologist who was finally able to determine that Heather has a rare heart condition that required surgery. The surgery was scheduled 6 months into the future, and there was going to be months of rehab following.. Heather was relieved that she finally had a diagnosis and assumed the insurance company would approve her claim. But her insurance company said she could keep working until the surgery.
Heather had a sinking feeling when she heard the news. She knew she wouldn’t be able to work, and felt frustrated. Her claim was originally denied because there was no diagnosis. Now that there was a diagnosis, they still denied her?
Share Lawyers was there to help Heather through this situation. They proceeded to pursue the matter by taking legal action and were able to negotiate a favourable settlement that included the benefits owing plus a lump sum amount for future benefits, allowing Heather to focus on her health and have something to fall back on while she obtained the medical care she required. Sometimes obtaining a definitive diagnosis takes considerable time but this does not mean that you cannot receive disability insurance benefits. If you find yourself in this situation do not hesitate to contact Share Lawyers to see if they can help you too!
*All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the confidentiality of all involved.
Has your long-term disability claim been denied? Contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We have recently settled cases against Standard Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and much more. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.
Denied your long term disability claim?
Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.
_________
A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
