Disability Lawyer Timmins

Servicing Timmins and all of Ontario

When a person experiences a trauma – whether it’s a single event or prolonged – it is deeply disturbing and incredibly stressful. And even when the immediate danger that causes the trauma is gone, debilitating symptoms from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can linger.

PTSD was once associated with experiences in active war zones. But it’s now recognized that a variety of traumatic experiences, including sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, can lead to the challenging condition. The #MeToo movement has revealed the shocking extent of this kind of abuse, and prompted people in a variety of fields and industries to reflect on their workplace culture.

In Timmins, for example, the #MeTooMining movement has started to explore sexually-based violence in the mining industry. Unfortunately, no workplace is immune to sexual harassment and assault.

When Work Is A Trigger, An Extended Leave May Be Needed

People with PTSD report having flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and often seek to avoid places and people that trigger these symptoms. If sexual harassment or assault has occured on the job, a person with PTSD may not be able to return to their job without experiencing the debilitating effects the past trauma.

Group insurance plans (where premiums are paid by an individual or employer) permit an employee with a severe medical condition such as work-related PTSD, mood or anxiety disorder, depression, or chronic pain (fibromyalgia), access disability benefits when they are unable to work.

Short-term disability benefits typically provide an employee with some (or all) of their regular earning and additional health care benefits for periods of up to 15 weeks to a year on the recommendation of a person’s medical practitioner. If a return to work is not possible after this period, long-term disability applications may be facilitated through an insurance provider. Often, independent medical tests, evaluations, and assessments are required, and an applicant may even be put under surveillance.

Deserving Claims Can Be Denied

If an insurer determines an applicant is not disabled or sufficiently disabled to qualify for benefits, or that an applicant misrepresented their condition on an application, they may reject a claim. Sometimes surveillance reports are used to dispute the level of disability.

But can a person see another person’s flashback or nightmare? Are the signs of anxiety always clearly visible? Many debilitating conditions cause ‘invisible disability.’ Pain that an insurer considers subjective, is still very real to the person experiencing it.

Howie, Sacks and Henry’s disability and critical illness lawyers can help you in Timmins if your disability benefits claim is denied. Our knowledgeable team has the experience and expertise to build strong cases involving complex and challenging medical conditions.

An HSH lawyer will be pleased to visit you in your own home in the Timmins area or at a local consultation office to listen to your story. We can offer support, legal advice and advocacy as we bring your appeal case to an insurer. HSH has a reputation for building court-ready cases to encourage insurance providers to settle fairly or risk facing our well-prepared and determined lawyers in court.

With HSH, we always strive to ensure you never feel as though you’re just another file to us. We approach all of our clients with the respect, compassion and attentive care they need and deserve. At a time when you’re focussing all of your energy on getting well, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

When you’ve been denied disability benefits in Timmins, call the trusted legal team at HSH. Let us help you get the financial resources you need for your recovery and well-being.