Dentist’s Private Disability Benefits Denied After Stroke
Struggling with her busy schedule, Claire knew that she had to make more time for herself. After her Dental partner retired suddenly at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, Claire had to scramble to find more help at the dental clinic she owned in Oakville, Ontario. But for now, she only had a small number of staff members to rely on. She was feeling the pressure at work, and her children were home – often in the dental office - doing virtual school. To keep things going, Claire’s needs were coming last. In the back of her mind, she was concerned about her high blood pressure, but saw this level of stress and overwhelm as temporary – she would find more help soon.
The Stroke Came on Suddenly
Claire’s stroke came on suddenly one morning as she was getting out of bed. The entire left side of her body went numb, making her legs too weak to support her weight as her feet hit the floor. She reached out to steady herself but couldn’t raise her arm and collapsed when she tried to take a step. She even slurred her words when her eldest daughter worriedly asked her what was wrong. Thankfully, her daughter knew to call an ambulance right away. This call probably saved Claire’s life.
When the doctors verified the stroke, Claire was in complete denial. She was only 48 years old and relatively healthy. Claire was soon out of immediate danger and was out of the hospital a few weeks later, but her return home was bittersweet because it also marked the end of her career. At her dental clinic, she spent long days poking patients with sharp objects and precision power tools. Now she was walking with a cane and simply did not have the strength, or the finger dexterity needed to perform a basic cleaning, to say nothing of a more complicated procedure like a root canal.
Claire Would Have to Give Up Her Practice
It was painful, but Claire knew that she would have to give up her practice. She made all the necessary business arrangements while her old partner came out of retirement in order to hand the practice off to someone new.
Claire knew that she had been paying into private disability benefits for years, but not how to access those benefits. Her sister had needed long term benefits several years back and had hired the disability lawyers at Share Lawyers. Though they were located in Toronto, communicating with them from Oakville was so easy – it felt like they were just down the street. Claire remembered all the good things her sister had to say about working with Share Lawyers. They were specialists, and helped people fight for their disability benefits. Claire wanted an expert to fight on her behalf.
She called the next morning. Share Lawyers was able to get the information needed to walk Claire through her options and her next steps. Claire applied for her long term disability benefits, LTD, with her insurance company but was immediately informed that she was denied on the basis of not having submitted enough medical information.
She Knew She Couldn’t Fight on Her Own
Frustrated, she called the disability lawyers at Share Lawyers back. Because we had worked with Claire to advise her of her options, we already had all her information and knew that she was being unfairly denied. We reached out to her physicians and specialists to obtain more detailed medical documentation of what had happened – more proof that Claire was not able to work in her current condition.
Claire knew it would have been reckless and irresponsible to accept the provider’s decision and attempt to go back to work. She had plenty of evidence to document her stroke and its aftereffects. No informed medical professional would expect her to work after such an incident. However, Claire didn’t think she could handle the stress of fighting back on her own.
Share Lawyers was able to make the entire process of getting her private disability benefits far less intimidating and stressful, and that’s given her the peace of mind she needs to move forward with her life. Claire received her benefits. Though she still receives frequent calls from her insurance company’s case manager, she knows that Share Lawyers is on her side. She is currently taking the time she needs to regain her strength and is looking forward to a full recovery.
If you have had your claim for long term disability denied in British Columbia contact the long term disability insurance lawyers at Share Lawyers. Our experienced team of long term disability (LTD) lawyers can help. Toronto is home to the Share Lawyers office, but we have helped people all across Canada. 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.
_________
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.
