Disability Lawyer Oakville

Servicing Oakville and all of Ontario

With a debilitating condition such as fibromyalgia (chronic pain), the old adage “seeing is believing” is put to the test. Doctors can’t see chronic pain on X-rays, like broken bones and it doesn’t turn up in blood tests like a viral infection. The only way to diagnose chronic pain is to listen to the symptoms of the sufferer and rule out other conditions as possibilities. Witnessing the agony often expressed in their faces during symptom flare ups may be compelling, but it wasn’t enough to prove the pain was real.

Sadly, for years some medical practitioners and clinicians were skeptical or outright dismissed chronic pain as a fabrication on the part of a patient. Many people suffering from this tremendous pain were told it was all in their heads. Recent research suggests the actual cause of fibromyalgia pain symptoms may actually involve neurotransmitters, and some treatments has shown promise in reducing the extent of this widespread pain.

But for fibromyalgia sufferers, including Oakville residents, sometimes even these treatments won’t be enough to prevent them from missing work due to debilitating symptoms.

Short-Term And Long-Term Disability

If a medical condition such as fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety or mood disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder from workplace sexual harassment or assault, prevents a person from working as they normally would, they may be able to take a disability leave with pay and benefits to treat their condition and recover.

Persons with private insurance plans (contributions paid by employers or employees) may receive some or all of their regular earnings and additional health benefits for periods of up to 15 weeks to a year while on short-term disability. The employee’s medical practitioner may be required to file reports outlining the nature of the illness, treatment, and when a return to work can be expected.

If it looks doubtful that an employee can return to work by the time the short-term disability benefits end, an insurance provider may start a long-term disability (LTD) benefits application. Generally, an insurer will arrange independent assessments, evaluations and testing as a part of this process.

LTD benefits can be denied if an insurer concludes the applicant is not disabled, not sufficiently disabled to qualify, or misrepresented their condition or level of disability on the application.

A Denial Letter Is Not The End, We Can Help

If your LTD application has been rejected, you may feel devastated and unsure of what to do and where to turn. The critical illness and disability lawyers at Howie, Sacks and Henry can help you in Oakville if you believe you were unfairly denied benefits.

HSH critical illness and disability lawyers have developed a strong reputation for our expertise and skillful handling of these complex and challenging cases. Our team will gladly meet with you in your own home in Oakville or a nearby consultation office to listen to your story, discuss your legal options and help to facilitate expert reviews of your medical reports. HSH is known for building strong, court-ready cases. If an insurer isn’t willing to offer a settlement that meets your needs, we have no fear about bringing our evidence in front of a judge or jury.

During this difficult and stressful period in your life, you can be sure that HSH critical illness and disability lawyers will treat you with the care, compassion and respect you deserve. At HSH, we want to be sure you never feel as though you are just a file to us.

With non-visible disabilities, sometimes believing isn’t seeing. But when you have an HSH disability and critical illness lawyer on your side as a trusted supporter and advocate, you will clearly see our commitment to you as we seek the benefits you deserve.