Disability Claim Denied! Isn’t Rheumatoid Arthritis A Disability?

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Arthritis is defined by joint inflammation, but in rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by systemic inflammation, which means that it can affect every other system of the body. The condition can cause swelling, stiffness, and joint pain, but may also affect the cardiovascular system, kidneys, skin, and eyes. As a result, those with rheumatoid arthritis frequently experience chronic pain and fatigue.

The chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis can make even the most rudimentary tasks impossible. When RA symptoms significantly impact a person’s ability to function normally, including being able to work , the time may come when it becomes necessary to apply for rheumatoid arthritis long term disability insurance benefits.

When Is Rheumatoid Arthritis A Disability?

RA is a progressive condition which means that it will get worse over time. Many factors affect how quickly and severely the symptoms will progress, so early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference. According to an article from the McGill University Health Centre, “RA causes joint damage in 80% to 85% of patients, and in most cases, the damage occurs during the first two years of the disease.”

Dr. Inès Colmegna, a rheumatologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), is more emphatic about the effects of illness, stating “without appropriate treatment, RA can cause chronic pain, disability, and in some cases, premature death.”

Video: Invisible Disability Insurance Claims Denied

Is Arthritis A Disability In Canada?

A study conducted by the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) found that 34.4% of men and 39.4% of women with an arthritis disability reported having pain that prevented activities, particularly those between 15 and 44 years of age. In addition, the proportion of men and women with an arthritis disability that reported needing to take days off due to their disability was largest in this age group. They were likely to report at least one disability day within the two weeks before the study.

If any condition, including Rheumatoid arthritis, limits your ability to do your job, it can be grounds for an arthritis disability claim.

Do I Need A Lawyer To Get Long-Term Disability Benefits?

If you apply for long-term disability benefits with the correct documents and your insurance company processes your disability claim correctly, you should be able to receive either short-term or long-term disability benefits. However, insurance companies will look for any reason to deny claims, such as inconsistencies in medical records or missing documentation.

Being unable to work due to a rheumatoid arthritis disability and then having your claim denied can make you feel like you just want to give up. You may be struggling financially as well as trying to deal with the symptoms of your disability. However, remember that many disability claims are denied when first submitted.

If you’ve applied for long-term disability benefits for rheumatoid arthritis or any other illness and your insurance company has denied your claim, your next step should be to consult with a long-term disability lawyer. We have experience in disability law and will help you understand your options and figure out what to do next. We offer a free consultation so you can learn about what choices you have. Our sole focus is to ensure that you get the long-term disability benefits you need and we will advocate on your behalf to ensure that happens.

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.