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. This can potentially lead to challenges in the workplace for individuals navigating symptoms. Understanding its impact on long-term disability benefits is crucial for affected individuals.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our long-term disability lawyers are dedicated to helping individuals with Parkinson’s disease pursue the benefits they deserve. We understand that being unable to work can impact you financially and emotionally, which is why we help individuals file their initial claims or fight denials through appeals. To discuss your situation and legal options, contact our lawyers today.

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. According to 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.

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: 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.

Parkinson’s Disease and Long-Term Disability Benefits

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

If your disability is covered by your LTD policy, you may be eligible for income replacement up to 70% of your regular income. Depending on the severity and length of time that your disability exists, you may continue to receive payments until the age of 65.

To submit a successful Parkinson’s Disease disability claim, you’ll need to provide comprehensive medical documentation, including diagnosis, treatment history, functional limitations, and prognosis from healthcare providers.

Can My Disability Benefits Be Denied?

Individuals pursuing LTD benefits for Parkinson’s Disease may face denials for many reasons, including:

• Insufficient medical evidence
• Policy misinterpretation
• Administrative errors
• Missed deadlines
• Change of Definition
• And more

Knowing the reasons for your denial reasons will be critical for appealing your case effectively.

What To Do If My LTD Benefits Have Been Denied?

If your LTD benefits are denied, don’t panic. You may be eligible to file an appeal against your insurer. Through an appeal, you will have the opportunity to argue why you should receive benefits. To file an appeal, you generally need to:

• Review reasons for the initial denial in your denial letter
• Compile additional compelling medical evidence or other supporting documentation
• Submit your appeal before your policy-specified deadline
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Pursue litigation in court, if necessary

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

Has Parkinson’s Disease Affected Your Ability to Work? Contact a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today

Individuals dealing with Parkinson’s disease who face LTD denials should seek legal representation promptly. Preszler Injury Lawyers’ team of disability lawyers can advocate for your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue the long-term disability benefits you’re entitled to. To get started with your claim, schedule a free consultation online or call 1-800-JUSTICE® to speak to someone now.