LTD Benefits Won After Denial of MS Symptoms
May is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Canada. MS impacts around 50,000 Canadians and is often recognized as the most prevalent neurological disease in young adults.
To help raise awareness around the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, and how those with MS are denied long term disability insurance by their insurance companies, we are sharing the story of a Share Lawyers client from around 10 years ago. We have helped many clients with MS who have been denied and our long term disability lawyers understand the particular issues that cause insurance claim denials. Please note that we have changed the client’s name to protect her anonymity.
Forty-three year old Ashley was thriving. She was working her dream job as an estate lawyer in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale, was living in a new condo with her husband, and enjoyed an active lifestyle, often taking her dog out for long runs.
On top of the long hours at work, Ashley also ran in long-distance marathons. These runs were very important to her. Ashley had been diagnosed with MS several years before, and her doctor’s medical opinion was that she would begin to lose her mobility over the next five years. Ashley wasn’t yet feeling any symptoms and felt grateful every time she laced up her running shoes.
But it was during one such run that Ashley noticed she was getting dizzy and incredibly tired. This had happened to her before when she had pushed herself, but this episode seemed more severe.
Symptoms Worsen
Several days later, Ashley woke up to more dizziness and fatigue. This was unusual, as she usually got over any dizziness spells within a few hours. It was partway through the day when she realized she was having trouble seeing, and her arms felt like she had pins and needles all the way down. She booked an appointment with her doctor, who immediately sent her to a neurologist for more testing.
Several months went by and when the test results came back, Ashley knew what she was about to hear. Her MS symptoms were worsening. She was told to plan for more dizziness, pain, and mobility issues in the coming years and prepare to take the time needed for more testing and medical treatment.
Ashely Stopped Working
The lingering symptoms she had been experiencing were severe enough to prevent her from being able to do her job effectively and so, reluctantly, she decided she had no choice but to stop working and apply for her disability benefits. The short term disability benefits she had through her private disability insurance were approved. But she quickly developed some additional symptoms including problems with coordination, tremors, issues with concentration, and depression.
Ashley then applied for long term disability benefits with the help of her husband. After waiting for weeks, unsure of what to do next, her claim was denied even though she was experiencing disabling symptoms. The insurance company’s review of the medical information claimed that her symptoms were not so severe to prevent Ashley from being able to do the essential duties of her job. Ashley was in disbelief – she knew that this wasn’t true.
Share Lawyers’ Disability Lawyers Help
Ashley felt defeated but knew that she had legal recourse against this decision. Ashley was already aware of Share Lawyers as her mother had been denied her long term disability benefits back in 2004. When she looked Share Lawyers up online, she saw that not only did the firm still exist, but it had grown and expanded its offering, its number of lawyers, and its experience in winning cases against the insurance company. She booked a free consultation, and the Share Lawyers team immediately got to work on Ashley’s case, putting pressure on the insurance company to approve the claim.
A settlement was reached, allowing Ashley to focus on her health. Now that she doesn’t have to worry about how to pay her mortgage and her other bills, Ashley is determined not to let her diagnosis stop her from being as active and independent as she can. She still has good days and bad days, but can live her life and focus on her health.
If you have had your claim for long term disability denied in Markham,contactthe long term disability insurance lawyers at Share Lawyers. Our 35+ years of experience in long term disability (LTD) law 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.
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.