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Given the socio-economic climate of Ontario during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in short term disability claims (STD) and long term disability claims (LTD). Employees that fall ill with the COVID-19 virus will be required to not only rest and manage their symptoms, but also follow mandated quarantine protocols for individuals with the virus. Such a situation can be taxing not only on your physical health, but also your mental health. TSF Law understands that insurance companies are quick to deny long term disability claims during this time, often presuming that the recipient of a denied long term disability claim would be too exhausted and turned off by the claims process, thus dropping any pursuit of benefits all together.
Unfortunately, during recessions there is a noted spike in the number of long term disability claims. Lianne Clark, the vice president and practice lead of wellness and disability solutions at Cowan Insurance Group has recognized that the because of the impact of the economy of people, there is a spike in the number of STD claims (short term disability), which in part flow through to LTD claims (long term disability). Clark further believe that once everything stabilizes, those that have been able to maintain a job during the pandemic and have continued working are most probably burned out, and you’ll start to a spike in disability claims due to reasons such as stress, which too flows through to long term disability claims. Individuals who are not use to working at home and/or do not have the proper ergonomic work setup at home could face an onset of neck, shoulder, back, arm, and other musculoskeletal issues. These scenarios too lead to short term disability (STD) and longterm disability (LTD) claims.
Clarke also notes that individuals who have been laid off are also at risk of obtaining a disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides possibly contracting the virus, laid off workers may also suffer from physical or mental health issues during the pandemic; once they are recalled from their layoff, it is possible they will be too disabled to resume responsibility, thus resulting in the filing of a STD claim if employers have continued coverage during their layoff.
COVID-19 Long Term Disability Claim : Denied Long Term Disability Claim
In a statemnet to Benefits Canada , the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) said it was too early to speculate on the impact of COVID-19 on LTD claims, but it is important that individuals stay on top of maintaining their health and wellness during this time, and utilize the supports they have through their insurance companies, if need be. TSF Law wants the citizens of Ontario to know that you should not give up on pursuing a long term disability claim during the COVID-19 pandemic; we are here to help you navigate the long term disability claims process, appeals process, as well as fight for the benefits your are lawfully entitled to.
COVID-19 Short Term Disability Claim: Denied Short Term Disability Claim
If you receive group benefits, or have private health insurance, and are succumbing to a sudden injury or illness that is having a disabling impact on your life, we suggest you file a short term disability claim (STD claim). If the health or financial benefits you are entitled to, as a result of your insurance policy, are denied – contact a disability lawyer as soon as possible.
