Success Story: Jennifer Bailey
At age 27, Jennifer Bailey became the first doctor in her family– a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Her only living grandparent, Grandma Pearl, was so pleased that she purchased a dental practice for her. Jennifer could begin treating her own patients right away.
Trembling Hands
After almost 30 years as a dentist, Jennifer had a thriving practice but suffered with chronic pain in her neck and her upper back. These were expected effects of bending over and leaning forward to practise dentistry. Then she noticed another persistent problem only in that 30th year – one that troubled her daily: trembling hands.
Pivotal Diagnosis
Jennifer understood that trembling hands pose a serious problem in dentistry. After adopting lifestyle changes to ensure that her stress was moderate and sleep always good, she continued to have trembling hands. Then she went to a medical doctor. After examination, her doctor referred her to a neurologist. The neurologist made a tentative diagnosis that would be a turning point in Jennifer’s life: Parkinson’s Disease.
Degenerative Disease
Because accurate diagnosis is a problem with Parkinson’s, the neurologist prescribed drugs to treat the symptoms. If she responded to the drug treatment, then the diagnosis would be confirmed; Jennifer should assume that this degenerative disease would progress.
Covered (probably)
Fortunately, Jennifer had already delegated much of her work to dental assistants whom she would supervise. Early in her career, she had also purchased private disability insurance that would provide monthly income if she could not perform at work before age 65.
Adaptive Action Taken
Despite the reassurance she found in these things, worry and stress began the day she was diagnosed. It increased when her responsiveness to the Parkinson’s drugs confirmed the diagnosis. A serious problem for a dentist, it had now given her new cause for trembling hands. Her medical doctor backed her decision to sell her practice and apply for disability benefits.
Claim Denied
Despite medical proof that she had reached the point where she must stop working, Jennifer could not believe it when her insurance benefi ts were denied. The insurer did not accept the diagnosis and expected her to continue working. Having secured a buyer for her practice, she found that this put her stress level high. On referral from a medical doctor, she contacted Share Lawyers. Share Lawyers accepted the case.
Benefits Won
In mediation with Share Lawyers, the insurer argued that Jennifer could continue part-time as a dentist while overseeing the work of dental assistants. This way, she could receive partial benefi ts. Share Lawyers retorted that dental surgery is delicate work – no place for tremorous hands. Share Lawyers also pointed out that Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease and that Jennifer now faced years of psychological and neurological problems. Before long, the insurer relented. Share Lawyers secured full benefits for her.
*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.
