Vancouver Lawyer

Fibromyalgia and Long-term Disability Claims

Fibromyalgia and Long-Term Disability Claims

 

Fibromyalgia – Getting the Long-Term Disability Claim You Deserve

by Tim Louis

Fibromyalgia is a painful medical condition that many people in Vancouver and British Columbia face, and it is often misdiagnosed. About 2% of the population is affected by this very painful disease, and it has many side-effects that can make it very difficult to work or go about daily life. Going to work everyday and dealing with its symptoms of pain, fatigue, depression, sleep issues, memory troubles, headaches and even digestive problems can become extremely difficult. The chronic pain alone makes getting through a day of work impossible. While this is a long-term disability insurance issue, many insurance claims are denied. A long-term disability lawyer, like Tim Louis, can help you get the compensation you deserve if you are unable to return to work because of your diagnosis.

Fighting with your insurance company for long term disability benefits is an uphill battle no matter what your disability. This is why many people will choose to hire an experienced lawyer. However it is even more difficult if you have fibromyalgia. Bad enough that it causes pain throughout the entire musculoskeletal system and is known to cause mental problems such as issues with memory and maintaining a stable mood. Even worse is the fact that the symptoms are subjective. There is no objective way of testing fibromyalgia as there is with say a broken bone – an x-ray. This gives your insurance company an unfair advantage – you have no way of proving that you have this disabling condition.

There is no question that fibromyalgia can be profoundly disabling and is a disability. The federal government recognizes this. Canada Pension Plan disability benefits are awarded to many people with fibromyalgia every year.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

As fibromyalgia causes chronic pain, it can be impossible for individuals who suffer from it to continue working. In Vancouver and all over British Columbia, I have acted for many fibromyalgia clients whose long-term disability benefits have been denied by their insurance company. I will always collect evidence from collateral witnesses. For instance a spouse that gives evidence that the insured is in pain all day can be decisive.

Many people with fibromyalgia will have good days and bad days. A good day is a gift from heaven, and my client will be tempted to do all the things they cannot do on bad days. Unfortunately this is not just a gift for my client, but also can be a gift from for my client’s insurance company. If they can obtain video surveillance of my client on this good day, they will try to use it to destroy my client’s case.

I once had a fibromyalgia client who heard a knock on his door one evening. He opened the door and a very charming woman told him her car had stalled and asked him if he could push the car. He was having a good day and kindly did so. Unbeknownst to him it was all a set up – he was filmed pushing the car. I am very proud of the fact that I still obtained $300k for him.

Long-Term Disability Claims

Living with such a painful disease as fibromyalgia can be difficult, and you deserve long-term disability benefits. If you have fibromyalgia and your insurance company has denied your claim for long term disability benefits you should retain an experienced lawyer. By working with Tim Louis & Co, our team will carefully gather the evidence, make a case and help you get the long-term disability benefits you deserve. Get started with a free consultation.

Hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer to get Long-Term Disability Benefits for Fibromyalgia

When you need a long-term disability lawyer to truly represent your best interests and not the interests of a big law firm’s bottom line, you need Tim Louis in Vancouver BC.

Give Tim Louis a call today at (604) 732-7678 for a no-fee telephone consultation, during which he will answer all your questions, no matter how complex. He will gather the information about your condition of fibromyalgia needed to make a case for your need for long-term disability coverage, and answer all of your questions.

Tim Louis’ goal is to obtain for his clients an out-of-court settlement equal to what the client would achieve by going to trial. He does this by thoroughly preparing for trial, even though the goal is to settle before trial.

Contact us at (604) 732-7678 or send us an email at timlouis@timlouislaw.com.

Learn More

Fibromyalgia – Learn More
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Association of Canada

 

 

Client Reviews

Personal Injury Questions

Personal Injury

Personal Injury Law Questions

Have you recently suffered injuries because of a personal injury such as a slip and fall? You don’t have to suffer ongoing pain and deal with a loss of income on your own. Personal Injury Lawyer Tim Louis will fight for a fair settlement and the compensation you deserve. When you get injured due to someone’s negligence, you need the best advice possible from an experienced lawyer.

In the last month, I have received a number of questions about personal injury. Here are just a few of these questions with the answers I provided.

“Are personal injury claims taxable?”

The good news here is that personal injury claims are not taxable. However, you should be aware of the fact that if you are compensated for past loss of income (income you did not receive because of the personal injury) the defendant is only liable to you for what your net income would have been. Your net income is your gross income minus all deductions, including income tax.

“How to hire a personal injury Lawyer?”

One of the best ways to choose the right personal injury lawyer is to see what previous clients say about that lawyer. It is next to impossible to fully assess a lawyer’s ability to serve you during an interview. On the other hand, former clients who have been represented throughout their entire claim up to and including settlement or trial, will be able to give you a much more complete and well-rounded assessment of the lawyer you are considering.

Once you have selected a lawyer, you will meet with her/him for an initial appointment at which the lawyer will obtain from you all the information necessary to open your file, draft a contract between you and the lawyer and start the law suit.

“When do I hire a personal injury lawyer?”

There are very few situations I am aware of where the injured party did not require a lawyer. Even where liability is admitted by the at-fault party, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for the injured party to get full compensation without a lawyer. A lawyer will know how best to go about getting all of the necessary expert reports. These expert reports may not just come from the family doctor and other caregivers, but also from a vocational consultant and an economist.

If you have been injured, contact Vancouver personal injury lawyer Tim Louis at (604) 732-7678.

Tim Louis is a personal injury lawyer who represents your best interests, rather than a big law firm’s bottom line. With over forty years experience in Personal Injury Lawyer, he is your best choice for a lawyer when you get injured. Whether it is a dog bite, or you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve the guidance and support of and experienced lawyer who is ready to fight for your rights.

After the trauma of being injured, the last thing you want to do is deal with the stress of legal issues – Tim Louis is here to guide you through the legal issues, answer your questions and fight for you. Settling before a trial is the best way to get the compensation for a personal injury.

Tim Louis’ goal is to obtain for his clients an out-of-court settlement equal to what the client would achieve by going to trial. He does this by thoroughly preparing for trial, even though the goal is to settle before trial. In this way, he is able to get you the very best settlement.

Have more questions? Contact us at (604) 732-7678 or send us an email at timlouis@timlouislaw.com.

 

 

Client Reviews

Top 5 Mechanical Failures that Cause Car Accidents

car accidents

Mechanical Failures that Cause Car Accidents

With car accidents a regular daily occurrence, it is not always clear what the underlying cause is until a thorough investigation has been concluded. With a number of accidents attributed to excessive speed, driving under the influence, driver error or weather conditions – it can be easy to forget that some accidents are caused simply due to the neglect of routine maintenance — leading to vehicle complications or even mechanical failure if left unchecked.

Keeping your vehicle maintained can go a long way in avoiding accidents caused by mechanical failures. Here are a few of the most common mechanical failures and what to look out for to ensure your vehicle is in tip-top shape:

Prevent Car Accidents – Check Your Brakes

brake padsBrakes are an essential safety feature we use as drivers on the road. However, brakes can also be one of the most ignored when it comes to routine checks – often being left completely worn before a proper inspection or needed replacement. If your brakes are not properly maintained, you could find yourself braking harder on the road,
throwing off drivers behind you, or prevent you from stopping – injuring other drivers, pedestrians or yourself and your passengers.

Here are some early signs of brake wear to look out for:

  • Excessive vibration when applying pressure to your brakes
  • Reduced responsiveness while braking (spongy or soft brake pedal)
  • Noticeable pulling when applying pressure to your brakes
  • Frequent or infrequent squealing or screeching noises while braking
  • Loud metallic grinding noises coming from your brakes

Tires – maintain them to prevent car accidents

Your vehicle’s tires keep you moving – gripping the road through poor road conditions, ensuring that you arrive at your destination safe and sound. This is why it is crucial to conduct routine checks on your tires daily and before taking any extended trips – ensuring your tires are in the best shape possible.

Early signs that you may need to have your tires rotated or replaced can include:

  • Bulges, gouges, or cracks in the tire or tire sidewall
  • Significant and/or uneven tread wear
  • Tires losing pressure or deflating faster than normal
  • Excessive vibration while driving

brake light

Headlights/Taillights/Brake Lights

The lights on your vehicle allow you to see – and be seen. This makes them one of the most important safety features for your vehicle in terms of accident prevention while driving. However, lights do fail — which is why you should be conducting a routine inspection of all lighting systems on your vehicle before driving.

Signs that you may need to have your headlights or taillights inspected or replaced can include:

  • Significant dimming over time
  • Flickering or random fading
  • One or multiple bulbs going dark
  • Significant time passing (better safe than sorry)

Malfunctioning Windshield Wipers can Cause Car Accidents

windshield wipersWindshield wipers can make a big difference in overall driver safety and visibility — removing dirt, rain, and snow – while running for hours at a time to keep your view of the road clear at all times.

Unfortunately, windshield wipers do wear over time – often warping, cracking or even tearing from long-term use in heavy weather — this can cause them to lose their flexibility and even fail altogether. You should always keep an eye on your wipers and check them daily to ensure they are functioning properly.

Signs that you may need to have your windshield wipers replaced can include:

  • Streaking
  • Unusual noise or squealing
  • Skidding or Irregular movement
  • Ragged or distorted blades

Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer

Drivers and passengers who are injured in accidents that are the result of mechanical failure may wish to contact a personal injury lawyer. Contact our compassionate and experienced legal team at Tim Louis Law & Associates. We will help build your claim for the compensation you deserve.
To book your free consultation, call 604-732-7678, or email timlouis@timlouislaw.com. We’re here to help.

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