Success Story: Andrew Holmes

Andrew Holmes, a 58-year-old Operations Manager from Windsor, Ontario, was found deceased on March 12, 2013, by his wife, Marie. Autopsy and toxicology reports concluded that the cause of death was a lethal combination of pain killers and anti-anxiety medications, which caused an unintentional overdose.

His Wife Was His Beneficiary

A short while after Andrew’s funeral, Marie, who had been a home-maker throughout her marriage, put in a claim for Andrew’s life insurance money. She waited anxiously for a response so that she could pay off the mortgage and the bills that had been piling up since she lost Andrew.

Insurance Company Investigates Claim

Since Andrew had purchased his life insurance policy only 14 months prior to his death, his claim fell within the two-year contestability period. Marie was assured by their financial advisor that the insurance company’s request for Andrew’s full medical records was standard procedure at this point, but they were blindsided when the insurance company finally responded with a denial. According to them, Marie would not be receiving the $250,000 life insurance benefit because Andrew’s death was caused by suicide. Marie was not only shocked, she was furious that the insurance claims manager accused Andrew of killing himself. It was an insult to his memory and a poor excuse not to pay her what was rightfully hers. Not knowing where to turn, she asked her financial advisor for help. He handed Marie a brochure from Share Lawyers, assuring her that if anyone could help her fight the insurance company’s denial, Share Lawyers could.

How Share Lawyers Helped

Marie met with David Share for a free consultation. David was compassionate, professional and patient with Marie, who was overcome with emotion when she discussed the loss of her husband and the financial stress caused by the insurance company’s refusal to pay her the benefit. Marie immediately felt that she had an ally in David and was impressed with his 27 years of experience in insurance denials, so she asked David to take on her case. The staff and team of lawyers at Share Lawyers went through Andrew’s insurance policy and medical records with a fine-tooth comb. All evidence, including reports from Andrew’s family physician, physiotherapist and psychiatrist, pointed to the same conclusion that was noted in the medical examiner’s report: the drug overdose was accidental and the suicide clause did not apply in this case. The insurance company could no longer ignore the facts. They agreed to settle with Marie and paid her the full amount of the life insurance claim plus a portion of her legal fees. They did not, however, acknowledge any wrongdoing on their part and did not pay any additional damages or penalties. Marie was grateful to Share Lawyers for defending her rights at a time when she felt vulnerable and alone. She used the money to pay off her mortgage and car loan. Today, Marie is working part-time at a retail store and enjoying a new chapter in her life.

*Names have been fictionalized to protect the privacy of our clients.

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.