Success Story: Callum Quinn
Twenty-three years ago, Callum Quinn moved to Canada from Ireland as a young man in search of work. His search led him to Sudbury, Ontario, where he secured a job as a miner. It wasn´t his dream job and it wasn´t an easy job by any means, but it paid a good salary.
Occupational Health Hazards
Callum suffered numerous, though minor, injuries throughout his mining career, but he counted himself lucky compared to his workmates -- he had never broken a bone or been hurt in an explosion.
Callum, however, was not one to test his luck. In addition to the coverage provided through his union, he purchased a private “own occupation” policy in case illness or injury prevented him from working.
Troubling Symptoms
It was not until Callum reached his 50s that he began to feel the effects of years and years of toiling underground, exposed to dust, gas and chemicals. He had chest pain, difficulty breathing and felt weaker with each passing day.
Callum finally visited his doctor, who immediately ordered a chest x-ray and other tests. The tests revealed lung cancer.
Insurer Tries To Bargain
As Callum prepared himself to start cancer treatment, he knew it was time to make use of his insurance coverage. He filed a claim with his group insurance and was approved.
His private insurer, on the other hand, came back with a denial and a proposition -- they were willing to immediately refund the premiums and provide one year´s worth of benefits in a lump-sum if he was willing to drop his claim and walk away.
Callum was tempted to accept the insurer´s offer because he was too intimidated to fight back, but his doctor suggested Callum speak with Share Lawyers before making such an important decision.
Share Lawyers Does The Math
When Share Lawyers sat down with Callum, they helped him decide whether to take the buyout offer, totaling $48,000, or to fight for his full benefits up to age 65.
They asked Callum to consider that if he accepted the insurer´s meagre buyout and beat the lung cancer successfully, he would still not be able to continue working as a miner, and he would be left with no job, no income and no insurance benefits.
Callum´s choice became clear. Not only did he need to fight the cancer, he needed to fight the insurance company for his full benefits and give himself an opportunity for a brighter future.
The Maximum Settlement
The legal team at Share Lawyers took many factors intoaccount as they determined how much the insurance company owed Callum. They considered his annual salary, age and future cost of living increases up to the age of retirement.
At mediation, Share Lawyers negotiated a more favourable settlement -- totalling $260,000 -- that was more than five times the amount originally offered by the insurer. Callum´s patience and trust in Share Lawyers had paid off.
Settling with his insurer removed a huge burden off Callum´s shoulders. It was one less thing to worry about as he put all of his attention toward treating his cancer.
*Names have been fictionalized to protect the privacy of our clients.
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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.
