Parkinson's Disease and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition that can impact mobility, cognition, and daily functioning, potentially leading to challenges in the workplace. Understanding its impact on long-term disability benefits is crucial for affected individuals.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, balance problems, and slowness of mobility. Cognitive changes, mood disorders, and fatigue are also common. Citing the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, Parkinson’s Canada states that there are over 100,000 cases of Parkinson’s in Canada, with 12,500 new diagnoses each year.

Parkinson’s Disease and Long-Term Disability

As Parkinson’s progresses, individuals may face difficulties performing job tasks, requiring accommodations or long-term disability benefits to manage symptoms and maintain financial stability.

Several aspects of Parkinson’s disease can affect work performance and necessitate disability benefits:

Motor Impairments:

Parkinson’s disease often presents with motor symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability. These motor impairments can make it challenging to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills, dexterity, coordination, and balance. Jobs that involve manual labor, precise movements, or operating machinery may become increasingly difficult or unsafe.

Fatigue and Energy Depletion:

Many individuals with Parkinson’s experience fatigue, exhaustion, and a significant reduction in energy levels, especially as the disease progresses. Fatigue can impact concentration, alertness, and sustained effort required for full-time employment. Tasks that demand prolonged physical or mental exertion may become overwhelming.

Medication Side Effects:

The medications used to manage Parkinson’s symptoms can have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or dyskinesias (involuntary movements). These side effects can interfere with work performance, safety, and productivity, particularly in roles that require focused attention or driving.

Cognitive Changes:

Parkinson’s disease can affect cognitive functions such as memory, executive function, attention, and processing speed in some individuals. These cognitive changes can impact job-related tasks such as decision-making, problem-solving, multitasking, and following complex instructions.

Speech and Communication Difficulties:

PD can cause speech and swallowing difficulties due to muscle rigidity and coordination issues. Communication challenges, including soft speech (hypophonia), slurred speech, or difficulty articulating words, can affect interactions with colleagues, clients, or customers, impacting job roles that rely heavily on verbal communication.

Mobility Limitations:

As Parkinson’s progresses, mobility issues such as freezing of gait, shuffling gait, or reduced range of motion in joints can make it challenging to navigate work environments safely. Accessibility barriers or the need for assistive devices may also arise, affecting job tasks that involve walking, standing, or climbing stairs.

Non-Motor Symptoms:

Parkinson’s disease is associated with various non-motor symptoms like depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal issues. These non-motor symptoms can contribute to overall functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and difficulties in maintaining regular work attendance and performance.

Workplace Accommodations:

Individuals with Parkinson’s may require workplace accommodations such as flexible scheduling, ergonomic modifications, reduced workload, breaks for medication management, or job task reassignments to continue working. Failure to provide reasonable accommodations can impact job retention and performance.

Stigma and Social Challenges:

Parkinson’s disease can be accompanied by stigma, misconceptions, or social discomfort related to visible symptoms or changes in appearance and movement. Discrimination or negative perceptions in the workplace can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships at work.

Considering these challenges, individuals with Parkinson’s disease may find it necessary to seek LTD benefits when their condition significantly impairs their ability to meet job demands, maintain employment, and sustain a reasonable quality of life.

Is Parkinson’s Disease Covered by my LTD Policy?

Most LTD policies cover chronic and disabling conditions like Parkinson’s Disease. Reviewing policy details and understanding coverage terms related to neurological disorders is essential.

Parkinson’s Disease Disability Benefits

Supporting a Parkinson’s Disease disability claim requires comprehensive medical documentation, including diagnosis, treatment history, functional limitations, and prognosis from healthcare providers.

Can My Disability Benefits Be Denied?

LTD benefits for Parkinson’s Disease may face denial due to inadequate medical evidence, policy misinterpretation, or administrative errors. Knowing denial reasons and appealing effectively is crucial.

What To Do If My LTD Benefits Have Been Denied?

Consulting an experienced LTD disability lawyer is recommended if benefits are denied. Lawyers can assess denial reasons, gather additional medical evidence, and navigate the appeals process to secure benefits.

Contact a Disability Lawyer About Your LTD Denial Today

Individuals facing LTD denial for Parkinson’s Disease should seek legal representation promptly. Preszler Injury Lawyers’ team of disability lawyers can advocate for rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue the long-term disability benefits you’re entitled to.