Success Story: Ginette Walsh
When we think of a debilitating condition, we often think of something physical. As a result, mental illnesses often go unattended, ignored, maligned, and sometimes even brushed aside. But according to CAMH - the Center for Addiction and Mental Health - in a given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience some form of mental illness. By the time they reach the age of 40, it’s estimated that 1 in 2 Canadians have, or have had, a mental illness. Those numbers are staggering, and cannot be ignored.
Postpartum depression is no exception, and, according to the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey, 7.5% of women in the postpartum period reported depressive symptoms.
Our client Ginette had been struggling with postpartum depression. She was 37 years old and had recently had her first child. Soon after giving birth, she began feeling detached and found it hard to be present with her child. She confided in her mother, who brushed it off, telling Ginette that she had experienced the “baby blues” and had gotten over it. She reminded Ginette that this was supposed to be the happiest time in her life.
After several weeks, Ginette didn’t bounce back. She had dealt with depression when she was younger, and likened her postpartum symptoms to what she was feeling in her twenties. Despite spending lots of time with excited friends and family, Ginette felt hopeless. She was constantly guilty and anxious about small things, like the time between feedings, or how messy her apartment was in front of guests.
Ginette had a full year for her maternity leave, and she desperately tried to do things to help her feel like her normal self. Ginette’s partner noticed that she was often irritable, and, despite being a new mom, wasn’t participating in any of her old hobbies. Her yoga mat was collecting dust in the corner, and her weekly magazine subscriptions sat piled up, untouched.
At the end of the year, Ginette returned to work, but found it very hard to focus. Concentration, learning a new skill, or even making seemingly simple decisions felt almost impossible. She found herself getting sick often, and her employer suggested she take some time off to get well. As her short term disability was coming to an end and Ginette was still not feeling better she talked to her doctor about applying for longterm disability benefits. She was well aware that she needed more time to heal and recover, but her claim was denied by the insurance company, who stated that postpartum depression is not a long term disability according to them.
When Ginette called us, she was on the verge of tears. We talked to her for a long time, listening to her story, and felt that we would be able to help. Share Lawyers was able to argue that Ginette was struggling with a very real and debilitating condition and helped Ginette get the treatment that she needed.
At Share Lawyers we have a special understanding of just how mental illness can be debilitating and what resources should be made available to cope with that condition. We believe anyone suffering from postpartum depression, or any other disability, should qualify for the long-term benefits they require to heal and recover properly.
*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.
