Disability Lawyers Kitchener-Waterloo

Servicing Kitchener-Waterloo and all of Ontario

Imagine that your career and livelihood depends on you working in a place where you’ve faced sexual harassment or even sexual assault. Sadly, some people working in Kitchener-Waterloo don’t have to imagine what this situation would be like – they’ve experienced it first hand. As the #MeToo movement has demonstrated, this type of abuse is much more common than anyone would like to believe.

The trauma from workplace sexual harassment and assault can linger long after the particular incident is over. Seeing an abuser or recalling an incident while present in the same environment can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. Other PTSD symptoms can include severe anxiety, avoiding certain situations and sleep disturbances that can make regular work difficult or impossible.

When You Are Unable To Work, Disability Benefits Are An Option

If a medical condition such as PTSD from workplace sexual harassment or assault, anxiety or mood disorders, depression, or fibromyalgia (chronic pain), is preventing you from being able to do your job for extended periods of time, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Employees with group insurance policies (where premiums are covered by an employer or by the individual) may receive financial resources to take short-term leaves of up to 15 weeks to a year. Short-term disability benefits provide a person with a portion (70% on average) of their regular employment income and additional health care benefits to assist with treatment and recovery. Normally a person can receive these benefits on the advice of their medical practitioner’s reports and treatment plans.

It’s hoped an employee will be able to return to regular work before the end of this period; however, long-term disability (LTD) benefits may be available if this is not possible. Qualifying for LTD can be more challenging. Insurance providers tend to request additional independent medical evaluations and may put an applicant under surveillance while assessing a claim.

Benefits Can Be Unjustly Denied

If an insurer determines the applicant is not disabled, not sufficiently disabled to qualify, or misrepresented their illness on an application, claims can be denied. Applications involving ‘invisible disabilities’ with symptoms that are not easily observable may rejected due to lack of evidence or suggestions that pain and debilitation are subjective.

Howie, Sacks and Henry’s disability and critical illness lawyers have the knowledge, experience and expertise to take on cases with these types of challenging medical conditions. If you’re claim for benefits is denied in Kitchener-Waterloo, the HSH team will review your application and begin gathering evidence and expert assessments to support your appeal.

HSH disability and critical illness lawyers are available to meet in your own home in the Kitchener-Waterloo area or in a nearby consultation office to listen to your story, answer your questions and discuss any concerns you may have. We believe distance should never be a barrier to high quality legal representation.

At HSH, we understand the tremendous stress and uncertainty that comes with benefit denials. Our compassionate and caring lawyers will approach you with empathy. We always want you to know and feel that you are our valued client, not just file. When we negotiate with insurers we ensure your needs are met in any settlement, and we have no hesitation about proceeding to court if we believe their offer is unjust or unfair.

If you live in Kitchener-Waterloo and a medical condition or illness is preventing your for working, contact the team at HSH if your benefits claim is denied. As your trusted legal advocates and supporters, we’ll do our utmost to get you the financial resources you need for your treatment, recovery, and well-being.