Unfairly Denied Benefits When Waiting for Treatment

When Marsha first came to the offices of Share Lawyers, she was at one of the lowest points in her life. She had been dealing with a mysterious illness that prevented her from working or functioning in her day-to-day life. Her physician, employer, and insurance company met her described symptoms with skepticism and disbelief. She never imagined she would have to fight for the benefits she deserved.

Marsha's Story

Three years prior, Marsha came down with a terrible flu and was totally knocked off her feet. The sickness lasted for a few weeks, which she took off work, and once she started feeling a bit better she returned to work.

But she never really fully recovered. She felt foggy and tired throughout the day and found it hard to sleep at night. At 49, she thought maybe these were changes related to menopause and went to her doctor who did blood work that all came back normal. He told her to “take it easy” and that she would be feeling better soon.

Oven the next months Marsha did not feel better. In addition to feeling tired all the time, she began to experience muscle pain and headaches. She found it hard to concentrate and had to take constant breaks. Her employer told her that she needed to improve her job performance and her colleagues were increasingly rude to her - thinking that she was simply slacking off.

She Was Referred To A New Doctor

After discussing her symptoms with a friend she was referred to a new doctor. This doctor suggested a sleep clinic, and the sleep clinic referred her to a massage therapist, who referred her to an acupuncturist - but nothing helped.

It had been two years and Marsha was still feeling constantly tired and in pain. She decided to apply for short term benefits as her job performance was really suffering. After visiting multiple clinics and specialists - one of whom told her that this issue was just “all in her head” - she was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (This condition is also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Sometimes it's abbreviated as ME/CFS).

The only CFS specialists in the Greater Toronto Area had an 8-month waiting list and her short term benefits had run out. She felt confident that with this new diagnosis she would qualify for long term disability benefits (LTD), but she was denied on the basis that she was able to work. But Marsha knew that returning to work was not an option.

Marsha Joined A Support Group

She had joined an online support group for CFS and after sharing her experience, someone mentioned Share Lawyers.

She called the next day and our staff was able to assure her that she did not have to go back to work or submit to the insurance company’s demands. With special considerations around her health, we arranged a free telephone consultation where we took on her case.

Share Lawyer Worked To Fight For Her LTD Benefits

Marsha was totally hopeless when we first met with her, but once she realized there was a whole team behind her, it gave her peace of mind. Share Lawyers worked diligently to fight for her LTD benefits and was able to reach a settlement with the insurance company by proving Marsha was indeed unable to work.

It’s still a long journey for Marsha to find wellness, but we are so glad to know she did not give up and are proud to have been able to help her receive her LTD benefits.


Has your long-term disability claim been denied? Contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.

We have recently settled cases against Great West Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and much more.


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.

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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.









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