Success Story: Faith Simpson
Everyone feels tired sometimes. With busy work and life schedules, it can be easy to overwork. But for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), this feeling of being fatigued and tired doesn’t go away with a good night’s sleep. This condition is also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Sometimes it’s abbreviated as
ME/CFS.
About two years ago, Faith came down with a really nasty flu. Even when she got better and returned to work, something still felt different. She was always tired and even though she prioritized getting a lot of sleep - up to 9 hours a night - her sleep was restless and she would wake up feeling exhausted and totally drained.
She spoke with her boss about feeling tired all the time, but he remarked that everyone feels tired, making her feel guilty and ashamed. Running around after two kids and working over 40 hours a week, she wondered if everyone her age felt limitations in their energy levels.
But Faith couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right - she went to her doctor who did a range of tests, and a blood test came back showing she had mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Her doctor told her these symptoms should subside and to take it easy and drink plenty of liquids.
When Faith came home from work she would immediately go to bed or lie down. She cancelled social events, and decided not to go on a trip to Italy that her and husband had planned, because she was just not up to it.
Faith went back to her doctor and explained how she was feeling. He conducted lots of testing, and based on these constant appointments Faith was starting to have to call in sick to work at least once a week. She just couldn’t go on like this. She applied for short-term disability benefits, which were approved. In addition to consulting her medical doctor, she went to a homeopathic doctor, started doing yoga, and started a whole range of natural supplements. But nothing made it better.
She was notified that her short term benefits had run out, but she knew she would not be able to return to her job. Her doctor had ruled out a whole range of conditions and the only option left was CFS.
Faith applied for long term disability benefits and was denied. The insurance company cited that fatigue was not a reason for her to not be able to work. She could barely do anything in her daily life, let alone work. How could this be?
Her husband saw a Share Lawyers ad online and talked to Faith about coming to us for help. At first she was hesitant to come - she felt shame, she wasn’t able to function how she used to, and thought if the insurance company said no, then that was that. Rules were rules.
But Share Lawyers was able to help. After her first call with us, Faith didn’t feel as alone or discouraged at what she had felt for a very long time. We talked to her often to keep her updated on her case.
We were able to ensure that Faith received a fair settlement, by demonstrating how she was unable to work, by gathering medical evidence to support her claim, and by standing up to the insurance company and fighting for her rights. Faith thought this was impossible, but Share Lawyers was there for her.
*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.
