Respiratory System Disorders and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada

Every living cell in the human body requires oxygen in order to live. The respiratory system, which includes lungs, airways, and blood vessels, is responsible for bringing that vital oxygen into the body. It is also responsible for expelling carbon dioxide and other waste products, thus balancing the body’s gases. When a person’s body is unable to access or process a regular supply of oxygen, the resulting condition may be life-threatening.

Respiratory system disorders can be caused by hereditary factors, by adverse incidents such as unsafe working conditions or motor vehicle accidents, or a combination thereof. Some may be resolved with timely medical attention, while others may require lifelong treatment.

If you are living with a respiratory system disorder that impacts your ability to work, there may be financial support available to help alleviate some of the stress associated with lost income. Long-term disability (LTD) benefits come in many forms, and are typically meant to pick up support after EI benefits, short-term disability insurance, and/or sick leave end.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenge of navigating the administrative process of filing an LTD claim while living with a disabling condition. Our long-term disability lawyers may be able to help you along the way. If an insurance provider has denied your claim, we may be able to help you prepare an appeal.

Every case is different. Contact us today to discuss the particulars of your situation, and learn how our long-term disability lawyers may be of service to you.

What Is the Respiratory System?

The respiratory system is a collection of organs and tissues that supply oxygen to the body. When we inhale, air – composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen – enters our nose and/or mouth and travels to our lungs. The lungs power gas exchange, sending fresh oxygen to the blood (which carries it throughout the body) and collecting carbon dioxide (a waste product from the body’s energy production) to be exhaled.

Past the windpipe, bronchial tubes take newly-inhaled air into two lungs. Both lungs contain thousands of thin branching tubes called bronchioles, which end in small air sacs called alveoli.

There are about 150 million alveoli in the lungs. When healthy, alveoli are able to expand and contract thanks to a chemical compound called surfactant. Surfactant helps the lungs inflate with greater ease, and prevents them from collapsing upon exhalation.

The surface of alveoli is covered in small blood vessels known as capillaries, which connect to arteries and veins that power the transportation of blood throughout the body.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to all the body’s tissues. When we inhale, oxygen passes through the alveoli to the red blood cells in the alveolar capillaries.

After that blood has circulated the body and delivered that oxygen to tissues, it returns to the lungs through the pulmonary artery and its branches. At this point, the red blood cells are depleted of oxygen and carry carbon dioxide instead – a byproduct of the body’s food-burning process. The carbon dioxide passes through the capillaries into the air within the alveoli as new oxygen enters those same red blood cells through the capillaries.

Types of Respiratory System Disorders

As anybody who has ever experienced breathing trouble knows, being unable to take a deep breath or access enough oxygen puts the body into distress. Insufficient oxygen can become a life-threatening issue, potentially resulting in severe incapacity, or even heart failure.

Examples of respiratory system disorders include:

  • Asthma
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Chronic lung infections
  • Pneumoconiosis
  • Influenza
  • Pleural effusion
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic restrictive ventilatory disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Tuberculosis
  • And more

Some respiratory system disorders stem from genetic factors, while others are acquired through environmental conditions, or a combination of both. A traumatic event such as a pedestrian accident can cause damage to the body’s tissues, impacting the respiratory system’s ability to perform its regular functions.

Depending on the condition and the individual’s particular circumstances, treatments may range from regular medication to hospitalization.

Long-Term Disability Coverage for Respiratory System Disorders

When a person is unable to work as a result of a respiratory system disorder, the financial implications of losing an income can place undue stress on both the individual and their family. Long-term disability benefits are designed to provide eligible policyholders with vital support, covering between 60-70% of their regular income.

If you have been denied coverage by an insurance provider, our long-term disability lawyers may be able to help you structure an appeal. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we understand that navigating the administrative process of filing claims and appeals can be overwhelming, especially while focussing on stabilizing one’s health.

Our team of long-term disability lawyers prioritize clear and timely communication, dedicating ourselves to compassionate service wherever our clients may be in the LTD claims process. Contact us today to book your free initial consultation and see what difference we might make for you.

Contact Our Ontario Respiratory System Disorders Lawyers Today For a Free Initial Consultation

Respiratory system disorders can be tremendously frightening. When the body is unable to receive or synthesize enough oxygen, it may experience tremendous distress. Necessary medical interventions can range from mild to all-consuming, and an individual with a respiratory system disorder may find themselves unable to work.

Long-term disability coverage is intended to provide financial relief for individuals living with disabling medical conditions. However, the process of filing a claim may be challenging, and sometimes insurance companies may deny coverage to eligible policyholders. Our team of long-term disability lawyers may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation, in which we will discuss what may be possible in your particular case.