Success Story: Jayne Williams
As a busy dance teacher, mother and wife, Jayne Williams had many responsibilities to fulfill on a daily basis. Maintaining good health and a balanced life were important to her, as was having a reliable financial protection plan in case she became ill. She purchased life and critical illness insurance coverage when her first child was born – about seven years prior to receiving a life-changing diagnosis.
Troubling Test Results
During a routine breast exam, Jayne’s family physician detected a lump in her left breast and immediately ordered a biopsy. When the tests came back a week later, Jayne, at 46-years-old, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Insurance Company Requests Complete Medical History
Jayne had surgery to remove the tumour and began adjuvant chemotherapy. Due to the effects of chemo, Jayne had to stop working. She tried to remain positive. Knowing she had insurance coverage gave her the peace of mind to focus on getting through her physically and emotionally taxing cancer treatment.
She filed a claim with the insurance company for her $250,000 critical illness benefit. The insurance company responded to Jayne after many weeks, requesting her complete medical records.
Policy Void Due To Alleged Material Misrepresentation
After taking months to review Jayne’s claim, the insurance company sent her a letter stating that she had omitted medical information on her initial application for coverage. Due to this so-called misrepresentation, her policy was void. They included a cheque with their letter. It was a return of the premiums she had paid for the last seven years. Jayne felt crushed.
Her husband was working but they needed a second income, or in this case, her insurance benefit, to make ends meet. At one of the most challenging points in her life, she was faced with the disappointment and feelings of utter betrayal when her insurance safety net did not come through for her and her family.
Share Lawyers Settles Dispute
Jayne retained Share Lawyers to take her case on a No Fees Unless We Win agreement and observed how swiftly and diligently the team of lawyers and law clerks began work on her file. Her anxiety slowly shifted into a feeling of hope. She knew it was just a matter of time before the insurance company would have to do the right thing.
The health information in question was a single line in Jayne’s medical records dated two years before she first purchased coverage. Her physician had noted that Jayne was experiencing symptoms indicative of Major Depressive Disorder. However, this was never relayed to Jayne and no testing or treatment was prescribed as her symptoms were later identified as acute stress.
Share Lawyers put forth a strong case using expert testimony from Jayne’s physician. They noted that the questions in the initial insurance application were ambiguous and open to interpretation. Furthermore, Jayne answered all the questions on her application honestly and to the best of her knowledge.
The mediation with the insurance company’s legal counsel was over quickly. The insurance company agreed to pay Jayne the full amount of her critical illness benefit. Jayne could continue her recovery without the added burden of outstanding bills. With her husband’s support and the benefit amount, Jayne fully recovered and has been cancer-free for over three years.
*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.
