Long COVID 19, the Link to ME/CFS, & How This Impacts Long Term Disability Claims

We’re just past the two-year anniversary from the first COVID 19 lockdowns and as more people continue to suffer with long COVID 19, researchers are discovering that up to 50% of COVID long-haulers could be suffering with what most people still refer to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but which is now recognized in the medical community as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).

A recent article in the Montreal Gazette describes the research and some of those suffering with these symptoms.

While ME/CFS is often referred to as the mystery illness of the 21st century, its debilitating effects on people and in particular their ability to sustain gainful employment has been the basis of long term disability claims for many years. The symptoms of both long COVID 19 and ME/CFS have some startling similarities: extreme fatigue, brain fog, and sensory disturbances. ME/CFS sufferers have faced skepticism and a lack of understanding within the Canadian healthcare system, largely because there has been a lack of understanding of the illness.

It is feared that as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic the number of ME/CFS sufferers in Canada will double, putting more pressure on the healthcare community to take ME/CFS more seriously and to put more efforts into understanding the illness and searching for better treatment options.

For Canadians battling both ME/CFS and insurance companies for their disability benefits, the possible link between ME/CFS and long COVID 19 provides some helpful information in legitimizing long COVID 19 in the coming legal battles for recovery of disability benefits.

A lot of disputed disability claims involved so-called invisible disabilities such as depression, anxiety, and certainly ME/CFS. Patients feel scorn from family and friends who don’t understand the illness as people don’t look sick but even a simple task like going to the corner store to get a few groceries can leave long COVID 19 and ME/CFS patients severely fatigued.

For patients, the possibility of receiving a diagnosis and furthermore receiving confirmation that it isn’t all in their head, while upsetting, can at least provide some hope that treatments can be found.

As for disability claims, having medical proof and/or the support of healthcare providers that this is a debilitating illness that medical providers have been struggling to find solutions for, can provide much-needed objective evidence to help establish entitlement to short term and long term disability benefits. As recognition and greater understanding for what people are suffering with hopefully occurs, an insurance denial based on “insufficient medical evidence” can be successfully challenged.

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. 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.