Success Story: Chris Pace
As a child, Chris always wanted to help people. So it was only natural that, as an adult, he’d become a personal support worker (PSW). He loved his job and relished going to work every day. But working as a PSW at a hospital in Winnipeg meant Chris spent most of his days on his feet. It’s a physically demanding job, but he loved it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Sometimes, he’d notice some back pain from having to lift residents throughout the day. Chris knew the risks and always took precautions but he also understood that all it takes is one bad twist to throw out your back. So when he started having chronic back pain he didn’t overthink it. At 39 years old he was convinced he was too young for it to be anything serious, and as a PSW, he figured he knew all the tricks in the book in order to get himself back to good health.
But the at-home remedies weren’t helping and as he worked through the pain he started to experience back spasms. He continued to push himself through the spasms and the pain, taking short breaks when he could, but by the end of the day, he could barely move. He started taking sick days to rest and put himself through physio techniques he knew from work. Unfortunately, they didn’t help, and he decided to see a physiotherapist.
In constant pain at this point and unable to do his job, both Chris’s doctor and physiotherapist encouraged him to apply for long-term disability benefits so he could take time off to deal with his constant pain. The paperwork was filled in, the medical documents were submitted, and everything was sent to the insurance company on time. Despite his diligence throughout the application process, his claim was denied, and he was left with no more sick days and no benefits to support him.
One day while in his physiotherapist’s waiting room, another patient noticed Chris was googling “denied disability claim” and offered some advice. They mentioned that a friend of theirs had turned to Share Lawyers when their claim had been denied and suggested he try reaching out.
Thankfully, he did, and we were able to help.
We sat down with Chris and took a closer look at his documentation. Unfortunately, his physician and physiotherapist were not able to diagnose the precise cause of the pain. This meant that the insurance company viewed the documentation skeptically and said that there was insufficient medical evidence to support Chris not being able to work. Chris was scheduled to meet with many medical specialists and have more testing, giving plenty of ammunition to counter the insurance companies argument.
Given how limited Chris’ mobility was due to the chronic pain, we were able to schedule meetings by phone when necessary and we handled all communication with his insurance company. After a prolonged battle, Chris received the benefits he was entitled to, and even though he would never go back to his job as a personal support worker, he started thinking about other jobs that he could do in the future.
Back pain is one of the most common chronic conditions in Canada, affecting four out of five adults within their lifetime. This most often affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age, and often as a result of a mechanical issue or trauma from injury. If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic back pain, don’t wait - see your physician as soon as possible.
*All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the confidentiality of all involved.
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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.
