Success Story: Bruno Da Silva

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

Bruno Da Silva is a Saint John-area stone mason. For 18 years, he operated as a single-person company, employing only on-call workers. Also a family man with a young grandchild, he got an important referral from a relative after his injured back led to the denial of his disability insurance claim and he needed legal help to secure benefits.

Sudden back injury

Over the years, Bruno had learned to deal with back strain from laying stone, operating his stone saw, and various related tasks. Yet, when lifting and rocking his infant grandchild, Bruno’s back seized. His chronic pain having suddenly become acute, he went to his family doctor.

Career ended

In addition to sore muscles, the doctor found multiple spinal disc herniations. He recommended surgery and said that Bruno could never work as a stone mason again – disabled long-term.

Personal difficulties begin

This news upset Bruno greatly. In addition to the pain in his back, the sudden disruption of his career and lifestyle and the loss of his livelihood brought on depression and difficulty sleeping. With surgery pending, he took painkillers, anti-depressants, and sleeping pills. Now inactive, he also began to gain weight.

Insurance gives hope

Fortunately, Bruno had purchased a private “own occupation” long-term disability insurance policy years earlier. It would be good for $4,000 per month income replacement if he could not perform his own job before age 65.

Income had varied

Bruno had earned $4,000 gross or more per month in prior years, including when he bought the policy. In the year prior to the back seizure, though, Bruno turned down some work because of his sore back. This resulted in an average monthly income below $4,000 over several months before his back injury.

Fear comes true

After he applied for benefits, the insurer refused to pay the full amount. To qualify for the monthly income replacement, Bruno had to prove that he could earn that income just prior to his disability. The insurer even suggested that Bruno had chosen to work less prior to submitting his claim because he wanted to slow down and enjoy more recreational time.

Cousin’s referral renews hope

Featured in Share Perspectives issue 6, Dominica De Sousa is Bruno’s cousin. When Dominica heard of Bruno’s disability insurance benefits being denied, she referred him to Share Lawyers.

Insurer seems to play dirty

Share Lawyers reviewed Bruno’s policy and medical reports. It was found that the insurer had interpreted the provisions of his policy extremely narrowly and misapplied certain sections, possibly to make his claim difficult and get him to give up.

Good advocacy gets good settlement

Share Lawyers took legal action on Bruno’s behalf. Through the legal process, a favourable settlement was achieved. Now on less medication and in good family care, Bruno again feels good about the future.

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.