Denied PTSD Claim Deserves a Settlement
Invisible illnesses are mired in stigma - from both the general population as well as insurance companies.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an often misdiagnosed and heavily misunderstood invisible illness that frequently leads to denied disability claims. Though studies suggest it affects at least 7 in 100 Canadians, we have limited data on just how many Canadians have PTSD but aren’t receiving help or support.
Sam, a 43-year-old member of the Canadian Armed Forces, had PTSD symptoms that took her by surprise. After years of working in the field, helping her community, and working abroad, she started to experience some confusing symptoms: depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping mixed with full-on insomnia. She brushed it off as just a part of the job and continued working as usual.
However, as she continued to push on without looking into the initial symptoms, she started to experience flashbacks to various traumatic incidents while on duty, feelings of profound guilt and shame, increased anger and aggression, and even frequent recurring headaches, dizziness, and digestive issues. Sam couldn’t understand what was causing all of these seemingly unrelated issues, so she went to her physician.
After a thorough assessment of all of her symptoms, her physician referred her to a psychiatrist with military experience who diagnosed her with PTSD. Her boss, concerned for her well-being, took her out of the field for her well-being and gave her an in-office position to try and alleviate the symptoms while she was seeking treatment. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough. Because the cause of her PTSD was likely several unresolved incidents that happened early on in her career, her condition was worse than initially expected. She needed to take time off work.
Sam filed for long term disability benefits through SISIP and, despite the support from the Armed Forces and multiple physicians, her claim was denied. Because PTSD is an invisible illness, and the exact cause could not be specified, her case was deemed to have insufficient medical evidence.
Feeling defeated, Sam wasn’t sure what she could do - but she knew she had to fight somehow. She attempted to fight the denied claim herself but realized that her symptoms prohibited her from the necessary level of focus required to contest a denied claim. One of her coworkers jumped in, suggesting she find a disability lawyer to help; they had been denied disability benefits years earlier for a similar claim and said they couldn’t have done it without help.
Sam started researching disability law firms and quickly found Share Lawyers. She shared all of the necessary documents, which provided us with a base on which we would build her case. We were able to sue her insurance company for the non-payment of past payments and benefits into the future.
After a long fight, we were able to get Sam the insurance benefits she was entitled to in a lump sum payment.
If you have had your claim for long term disability denied, contact the long term disability insurance lawyers at Share Lawyers. Our experienced team of long term disability (LTD) lawyers can help. We have recently settled cases against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and many 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.
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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.
