Arthritis and Long-term Disability Claims

Arthritis is a joint disease that can affect a person’s mobility and be painful and disruptive to daily life. If arthritis is preventing you from working, you may want to file a long-term disability claim. Read on to learn more about this disability, and how you can get the help you need if your long-term disability claim is denied in Canada.

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What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common degenerative joint disease, affecting approximately 1 in 5 Canadians. There are over 100 kinds of arthritis, but one of the most common forms is Arthritis. It is more common in women than in men, and in older adults, although arthritis impacts people of every age. It is important to detect and treat arthritis early, as it is degenerative, and some severe damage can be prevented with the correct treatment. Nevertheless, Arthritis can have a debilitating impact on a person’s ability to function day-to-day, and you may need long-term disability benefits during this difficult time.

Arthritis can have many symptoms, but is commonly accompanied by chronic pain. Common symptoms include:

• Pain

• Tenderness

• Swelling

• Stiffness

• Joint changes

• Redness in a joint

• Limited range of motion

• Difficulty performing regular activities

Living with arthritis can also lead to fatigue, stress, low self-esteem, and depression.

Why are claims for arthritis denied?

Insurance providers often deny claims for arthritis for numerous reasons. They can attempt to deny your long-term disability benefits based on pre-existing condition clauses in your policy. Because arthritis can also be considered an invisible illness and is closely associated with chronic pain, it can be objectively difficult to prove. Your benefits provider may claim your symptoms are subjective, inconsistent, or even temporary. It may complicate matters if there is no objective evidence or testing to support your claim. Your provider may also argue the disability, or your symptoms can be accommodated by your employer, through modified work settings or duties.

What you can do to improve your chances of getting your benefits for arthritis approved

Your arthritis may be advanced and keeping you from performing at work. If you believe you are unable to function at work because of your arthritis, you may want to file a long-term disability claim with your insurance provider.

Every disability claim begins with a correct diagnosis through a thorough doctor’s assessment. It is important to undergo different forms of objective medical testing. Your doctor may assess you based on the types of activities you can perform, along with assessing the limits to your functionality, mobility, and range of movement.

As early as possible, begin to document the progression of your symptoms, beginning from the point of your primary diagnosis. Your doctor will decide with your assistance which tasks are possible for you at your place of work. As much as possible, follow-up with all treatment recommendations, referrals, exercises, and prescriptions.

Continue to document your daily experience of symptoms, any pain you may be experiencing, and functional limitations to your daily tasks. Additionally, document the side effects of the medication you are experiencing, if any.

Was your LTD Claim Denied?

Functioning on a daily basis with advanced arthritis may have become too difficult to do alone. You may need your long-term disability benefits to get by. If your claim for long-term disability benefits are denied by the insurance company, talk to our disability lawyers right away.

We will review your unique situation, and work to compile evidence that paints the full picture of your disability. Once we pull together the facts of your case, it is extremely difficult for the insurance company to ignore your claim – and your right to full compensation. Remember, you have more power than you think.

If your disability claim is denied in Canada, you need to contact the experienced long-term disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP immediately at 1-855-821-5900 for a FREE CONSULTATION. We will review the facts of your situation, tell you if you have a case, and take the fight to the insurance company on your behalf. Don’t let them walk away with the money that they owe you in your time of need.

Get the advice you need, the compensation you deserve.

Additional Resources

• Arthritis Society (Canada) – Facts and Figures
• The Arthritis Foundation
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – Joint Health
• Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
• Disabled World
• MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Mayo Clinic