Autoimmune Diseases and Long-Term Disability Claims

autoimmune diseases and long-term disability claims in Canada

Long-Term Disability for Autoimmune Diseases in Canada - Tim Louis can help

Living with an autoimmune disease can be exhausting—physically, emotionally, and financially. If your condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits. But too often, legitimate claims are denied by insurance companies who fail to understand the invisible toll of these chronic illnesses.

At Tim Louis & Company, we’re here to help. With decades of experience advocating for individuals with invisible illnesses like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, we understand what it takes to win LTD claims—and we never back down.

Who Qualifies for LTD Due to Autoimmune Disease?

Autoimmune conditions are unpredictable and often misunderstood. Some of the most common autoimmune disorders that can qualify for LTD benefits include:

  • Lupus (SLE)

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Crohn’s Disease

  • Ulcerative Colitis

  • Psoriatic Arthritis

  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

  • Sjögren’s Syndrome

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Myasthenia Gravis

  • Fibromyalgia (often linked to autoimmunity)

To be approved for LTD, you must prove that your condition significantly interferes with your ability to perform your job or any occupation, depending on the policy phase (own occupation vs. any occupation).

Why Are Autoimmune LTD Claims Often Denied?

Insurance companies frequently reject claims due to:

  • Lack of “objective medical evidence”

  • Misunderstanding of flare-up patterns

  • Ignoring specialist reports or test results

  • Surveillance that misrepresents your disability

  • Failure to recognize mental and cognitive impacts (brain fog, fatigue)

Even with a strong diagnosis, claimants are often told they’re “not disabled enough.” This is where we step in.

How We Win Autoimmune Disability Cases

At Tim Louis & Company, we take a personal, relentless approach:

  1. We gather comprehensive medical documentation, including specialist reports, symptom diaries, and functional assessments.

  2. We communicate with your doctors to clarify your limitations and link them directly to your inability to work.

  3. We push back against insurers, appealing wrongful denials or launching legal claims when necessary.

We don’t just process claims—we fight for you.

Other Disability Support Programs for Autoimmune Illnesses

In addition to LTD, you may be eligible for:

We can guide you through how these programs overlap—or interfere—with your LTD application.

What You Need to Apply for LTD

To give your application the best chance of success:

  • Obtain diagnostic reports from specialists (rheumatologists, neurologists, immunologists)

  • Keep a symptom journal showing day-to-day limitations

  • Document your work history and job duties

  • Get support letters from family, colleagues, and healthcare providers

What to Do If Your LTD Claim Has Been Denied

Don’t panic—and don’t give up. Many legitimate autoimmune claims are denied on the first try. You may have options to:

  • Appeal the decision internally

  • File a legal claim under your insurance policy

  • Seek a lump-sum settlement or full reinstatement of benefits

We can help you evaluate the strongest path forward. Your fight is our fight.

📞 Talk to a Vancouver Autoimmune Disability Lawyer Today

If your autoimmune condition has made work impossible, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we win your case.

Call Tim Louis today at (604) 732-7678 or contact us online.

We’ll listen. We’ll believe you. And we’ll fight to get you the benefits you deserve.

autoimmune disease

Benefits of Choosing Tim Louis Law

  • Reduced Stress: Managing an autoimmune disease is stressful enough without the added burden of navigating complex legal and insurance processes. Tim Louis handles the legalities, allowing you to focus more on your health.
  • Maximized Claim Potential: Through meticulous preparation and strategic advocacy, Tim Louis works to secure the full benefits you are entitled to, ensuring that no aspect of your claim is overlooked.
  • Comprehensive Support: From legal representation to emotional reassurance throughout your case, Tim Louis provides a supportive environment, making a challenging process more manageable.

Take Action Today

For a free legal consultation, call Tim Louis at (604) 732-7678. Let us be your advocate in securing the benefits you rightfully deserve.

Call us at 604-732-7678 or email us at timlouis@timlouislaw.com.

About Tim Louis

Tim Louis, a seasoned lawyer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, specializes in advocating for clients with autoimmune diseases and long-term disability claims. His expertise in disability litigation extends to complex cases involving autoimmune disorders. 

Tim Louis and his dedicated team offer personalized legal support, ensuring clients navigating the intricate landscape of autoimmune disease disability claims receive expert guidance and representation. For comprehensive assistance with your long-term disability claim related to autoimmune diseases, visit Tim Louis.

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Secure Your Benefits Today

Don’t navigate this journey alone. If you’re struggling with an autoimmune disease and need assistance with your long-term disability claim, reach out to Tim Louis for a free personalized legal consultation. Experience the benefits of professional legal support and get the compensation you deserve.

  • Contact Today:

Understanding your legal rights and the benefits available to you is the first step towards managing your condition with confidence. With Tim Louis Law, you gain not just a lawyer, but a committed ally who will fight tirelessly to ensure your rights and well-being are safeguarded. Let us help you secure the long-term disability benefits you need to maintain your quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis are generally recognized for disability claims if they significantly impair your daily functioning and ability to work.
Proving disability from an autoimmune disease typically requires comprehensive medical documentation, including diagnosis from a healthcare professional, treatment records, and detailed descriptions of how your symptoms impact your daily activities and employment capabilities.
Start by reviewing your insurance policy details, gather all relevant medical documentation, and submit a detailed claim form through your insurer. It’s often beneficial to consult with a disability lawyer to ensure your documentation is thorough and meets all insurance criteria.
Yes, individuals with autoimmune diseases that cause intermittent symptoms can qualify for disability benefits, provided they can demonstrate how these symptoms significantly disrupt their ability to perform consistent work.
Denials may stem from insufficient medical evidence, failure to meet the policy’s definition of disability, or discrepancies in the reported effects of the condition on your daily life and work.
A disability lawyer can assist by providing expert knowledge of legal and insurance processes, helping to gather and present strong medical evidence, and advocating on your behalf in disputes or appeals with insurance companies.
If your claim is denied, review the insurer’s reasons for denial, consult with a disability lawyer, and prepare to appeal the decision with additional evidence or clarification of your condition’s impact on your work.
The timeline can vary but generally involves a waiting period (often called an elimination period), during which the severity and impact of your condition are assessed, followed by the claims processing period by the insurer.
• Diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus are more commonly approved due to their well-documented impact on significant bodily functions and high potential to impair daily activities.
Continuous medical treatment is crucial not only for managing your condition but also for demonstrating to the insurance company that you are taking all appropriate steps to treat your disability. Regular updates from your healthcare provider are essential to maintain your eligibility for benefits.

Further Reading

  1. Canadian Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (CARDA)

    • Offers comprehensive information on various autoimmune diseases, supports research, and provides resources for Canadians affected by autoimmune diseases.
    • Visit CARDA
  2. The Arthritis Society of Canada

    • Provides resources and support specifically for individuals with autoimmune arthritis types, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
    • Visit The Arthritis Society of Canada
  3. Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

  4. Lupus Canada

    • Focuses on improving the lives of Canadians living with lupus through education, advocacy, support groups, and research.
    • Visit Lupus Canada
  5. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada

    • Provides information, advocacy, and support to those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, types of inflammatory bowel disease.
    • Visit Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
  6. Canadian Celiac Association

  7. Diabetes Canada

    • Provides support and resources for individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes, focusing on education, advocacy, and research.
    • Visit Diabetes Canada
  8. Thyroid Foundation of Canada

  9. Sjögren’s Society of Canada

  10. Canadian Skin Patient Alliance

These resources will help individuals with autoimmune diseases understand their conditions better, explore their options for disability claims, and connect with supportive communities across Canada.

🔁 This page is part of our Living Content System and reviewed regularly for accuracy and legal compliance.

🕒 Last reviewed: by Tim Louis, Long Term Disability Lawyer in Vancouver

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