Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are often described as “invisible” illnesses. You may look well from the outside, yet live with urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fatigue and constant worry about where the nearest washroom is. Over time, these symptoms can make it impossible to keep working in a reliable, safe or dignified way.

If you live in British Columbia and your group or private long-term disability (LTD) insurer has denied, reduced or cut off your benefits for IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis, you are not alone. Insurance companies frequently underestimate how disabling these conditions can be. The good news is that you do not have to face them on your own.

At Tim Louis & Company, we have decades of experience helping people with chronic and invisible illnesses challenge unfair LTD decisions. We offer a free consultation so you can understand your rights and your options before you decide what to do next.

How IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis Can Affect Your Ability to Work

IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases are more than “stomach problems.” For many people, the condition involves:

• Urgent and unpredictable bowel movements that require immediate access to a washroom.
• Abdominal pain, cramping and bloating that make it hard to sit, stand or concentrate for long periods.
• Fatigue and poor sleep due to night-time symptoms or constant discomfort.
• Anxiety about leaving the house, commuting or being far from a washroom.
• Side effects from medications, such as drowsiness or frequent washroom trips.

Some jobs allow flexible hours and easy access to a washroom. Others involve strict schedules, travel, public-facing work or safety-sensitive duties that are not compatible with frequent urgent breaks. In those situations, IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis can become disabling even if your test results look “normal.”

LTD insurers sometimes focus on test results and overlook the real-world impact of symptoms. Our role is to help you explain how your condition actually affects your work, day in and day out.

Understanding Long-Term Disability Policies for IBS in BC

Most people are covered under a group LTD policy through their employer, or a private policy they purchased themselves. While every policy is different, there are some common features:

• Own occupation period: For the first part of your claim, usually 24 months, you are disabled if you cannot perform the essential duties of your own job.
• Any occupation change: After the change of definition, often at 24 months, the test becomes whether you can work in any suitable occupation based on your education, training and experience.
• Waiting or elimination period: You usually must be off work for a set period, often several months, before LTD payments begin.
• Offsets and coordination: CPP Disability and other benefits may reduce the amount of LTD you receive, depending on the policy.

The language in the policy is critical. A small difference in wording can change whether your IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis is considered disabling. At your free consultation, we review your policy and help you understand how the definitions apply to your situation.

Why LTD Insurers Deny IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis Claims

Insurers often treat IBS and bowel conditions with suspicion because symptoms can fluctuate and are not always captured on tests. Common reasons for denial include:

• “Insufficient objective evidence” or “no clear pathology.”
• Assertions that your condition is “mild” or “manageable with treatment.”
• Reliance on a brief paper review by an insurer-hired doctor who has never examined you.
• Suggestions that you can do a “lighter” job, work from home or reduce hours, without any realistic plan.
• Claims that you are not complying with treatment or that you delayed seeking medical help.

A denial letter can feel personal, but it is often based on limited or selective information. We carefully review the insurer’s reasoning, explain your options and help you decide how to respond.

What Evidence Helps Support an IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis LTD Claim?

Strong LTD claims combine medical evidence with clear, everyday examples. Helpful material often includes:

• Gastroenterology records, including colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy reports and other diagnostic tests.
• Clinic notes that describe flare-ups, urgent washroom needs, pain, fatigue and medication side effects.
• A list of medications and treatments tried, including diet changes and psychological support where appropriate.
• Symptom diaries that show how often you need the washroom, how long you are away from your workstation and how you feel afterwards.
• Notes from your employer about missed time, performance issues related to symptoms or attempted accommodations that did not succeed.
• Statements from family, friends or co-workers who have seen how the condition affects your daily life.

You do not need to collect everything alone. As your lawyers, we work with you and your healthcare providers to present your condition accurately and fairly to the insurer or the court.

The 24-Month Change of Definition: A Common Risk Point

Many IBS-related LTD claims are cut off around the 24-month mark, when the test often changes from “own occupation” to “any occupation.” Insurers may argue that you can do some other type of work, such as office or remote work, even if that is not realistic given your symptoms.

If you are approaching the 24-month point, or if your insurer has warned you that your claim is under review, it is wise to get legal advice early. We can help you prepare medical and functional evidence that addresses the “any occupation” test and reduce the chance of an unfair cut-off.

How Long Do I Have to Challenge an LTD Decision in BC?

In British Columbia, there are time limits to sue an insurer, and they can be complex. The basic limitation period to start a lawsuit is often two years from the date you knew, or reasonably should have known, that your benefits were denied or wrongfully cut off. Your policy may also contain contractual deadlines that are shorter.

Because limitation periods and policy time limits can be complicated, you should not wait. The safest approach is to speak with a lawyer as soon as you receive a denial, cut-off notice or warning letter. At your free consultation, we can help you understand the deadlines that may apply in your situation.

This information is general only and is not legal advice. Your time limits may be different. Please get individual legal advice about your specific deadlines.

Why Choose Tim Louis & Company for IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis LTD Claims?

For more than 40 years, Tim Louis has helped people across British Columbia stand up to insurance companies in disability and serious illness claims. Many of his clients live with invisible conditions. They are often told their symptoms are “not that bad” or that they should “try another job” without any real understanding of what they face each day.

When you work with Tim Louis & Company, you can expect:

• Free consultation: A no-obligation conversation about your situation, your policy and your options.
• Plain-language advice: Clear explanations about what the insurer is doing and what you can do in response.
• Experience with invisible illnesses: A deep understanding of how gastrointestinal conditions affect real jobs in the real world.
• Personal service: A small, dedicated team that knows your file and treats you with respect.

We cannot promise a particular result. What we can promise is that we will listen carefully, explain your options honestly and work hard to protect your rights.

What Working With Us Looks Like

1. Free consultation: You tell us about your work history, symptoms, denial letter and policy. We ask questions and identify key issues.
2. Review and strategy: We review your policy, medical records and correspondence with the insurer. We explain your legal options, including appeal, negotiation and litigation.
3. Taking action: If you choose to move forward, we work with you to gather evidence, respond to the insurer and, where needed, start a lawsuit in BC Supreme Court.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed so you are never left wondering what comes next.

What Clients Say About Working With Tim Louis

Clients often tell us they appreciate:

• How quickly Tim returns calls and emails.
• The time he takes to explain their rights in clear language.
• His willingness to give practical advice, even when he cannot take a case.
• The compassion and respect they receive from everyone in the office.

You can read recent Google reviews by searching for “Tim Louis & Company Law Firm” and seeing what past clients have shared in their own words.

IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis LTD Claims – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I qualify for LTD if I have “only” IBS and not Crohn’s or Colitis?

Yes. The question is not whether your diagnosis is IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis, but whether your symptoms prevent you from performing the essential duties of your job. Many people with severe IBS qualify for LTD benefits when their condition prevents regular, reliable work.

My tests are normal. Can I still get long-term disability?

It is common for people with IBS to have normal blood work or imaging. Insurers may focus on this, but the law looks at function as well as tests. Detailed medical notes, symptom diaries and observations about your need for urgent washroom breaks can still support an LTD claim.

Do I have to try every possible treatment before I apply for LTD?

Insurers expect you to follow reasonable treatment recommendations from your healthcare providers. That does not mean you must try every possible medication. If side effects are severe or a treatment is not appropriate for you, your doctor can explain this in their notes or reports.

Can my insurer force me back to work in a different job?

An insurer can encourage a return to work and may argue that another job is suitable, especially after the 24-month change of definition. However, the job must be realistic given your education, training, experience and symptoms. If the proposed job is not realistic, a lawyer can help you respond.

What if I also have anxiety or depression because of my bowel condition?

Many people with IBS, Crohn’s or Colitis also develop anxiety or depression. These conditions can be part of your LTD claim, and it is important that your mental health symptoms are properly assessed and documented. Your family doctor, gastroenterologist and mental health providers can work together to explain the full impact on your ability to work.

Do I need a lawyer to appeal a denial?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but legal advice can help you avoid common mistakes and protect your limitation periods. We can help you decide whether to pursue an internal appeal, negotiate with the insurer or start a lawsuit in BC.

Further Reading and Support

For more information about long-term disability and serious illness claims, you may find these resources helpful:

• Long-Term Disability Lawyer in Vancouver, BC – Main LTD Hub
• Long-Term Disability Insights – Articles and Guides on LTD Claims
• HealthLink BC – Trusted Health Information for British Columbians
• Crohn’s and Colitis Canada – Support and Educational Resources

These links are provided for general information only and are not a substitute for legal advice about your own situation.