Miscarriage and LTD Benefits
Content warning: this article mentions pregnancy loss and its symptoms.
Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and molar pregnancies are often not discussed and can even be considered taboo to discuss. The lack of conversation around these topics can lead to further emotional stress and feelings of depression and isolation. Breaking the silence about the physical and emotional trauma of miscarriage is the first step to recovering and healing.
In the last several years, miscarriage has been deemed a disability in an interim ruling by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, signalling a change in Ontario disability law. What does this mean? That the physical and emotional symptoms of miscarriage are deemed serious enough to be considered valid for going off work and receiving short term disability benefits or even long term disability benefits.
Taking the time you need to deal with the impact of a miscarriage should not be something you face alone. Here is some information you may need to know if you or a loved one has experienced a miscarriage.
What is a miscarriage?
A miscarriage is the loss of an en embryo or fetus before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage, and most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy loss that occurs after this period is called a late miscarriage, although that is not as common.
Early pregnancy loss can happen when the embryo is not developing as it should. Chromosome problems are thought to be the most common cause, and these problems often happen for no discernible reason.
Some experience the devastation of recurrent miscarriage, defined as three or more miscarriages in a row. This happens to about one in every one hundred pregnant people.
Many can take solace in knowing that three out of every four pregnant people who’ve experienced an unexplained miscarriage go on to have a healthy baby.
What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
The most prevalent symptoms of miscarriage are period-like cramps and heavy bleeding. Some miscarriages are revealed in an early pregnancy scan where the pregnancy sac is empty. This is sometimes called a missed miscarriage and it can be a horrible shock and deeply emotionally painful for those who were expecting a child.
A late miscarriage is particularly difficult for expecting parents. The symptoms include heavy bleeding, labour-like pains, and water breaking. Those who experience repetitive pregnancy loss often report high levels of stress and moderate to severe depression.
How can a miscarriage impact your work and daily life?
Depression, anxiety, and grief are all reported symptoms of those who have experienced a miscarriage. For many, a major part of a miscarriage is waiting for the fetus to be expelled after being informed that the pregnancy is no longer viable. This can be an emotionally exhausting time for the pregnant person, who has to continue with their daily lives while waiting for a miscarriage to naturally occur. Often given no exact date or time frame, the challenging situation of waiting can prove overwhelming.
For some, the emotional toll of waiting to miscarry naturally is too unpredictable. Healing may only start once having a D&C procedure. A D&C may be recommended for those who miscarry later than 10-12 weeks, have had any complications, or have medical conditions where emergency care could be needed.
What are some common misconceptions about miscarriage?
The most common misconception about miscarriage is that it’s the fault of the pregnant person. No link has been found between miscarriage and anything done by the pregnant person, including exercise, diet, or sexual activity. Often, miscarriage happens for no reason and it is important not to blame yourself.
If you are fired for taking time off work or are denied time off to recover from your miscarriage, what are your rights?
Loss, grieving, and emotional distress are all legitimate ailments that can inhibit your ability to work. Review your policy to see what symptoms are listed in terms of short term disability or long term disability. There is no fixed time for healing after a miscarriage, and the period of bereavement varies from person to person.
If you are denied by your insurance company, it is essential that you get the time and resources you need to recover. You do not need to suffer in silence or heal in isolation.
If you have had your claim for long term disability denied, contact the 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.
