Chronic Pain
Table of Contents
Pain is a body’s normal response to injuries or illnesses. Most pain is acute, experienced while a part of their body has undergone stress, especially after a serious injury. However, sometimes pain can persist for weeks, months, or long after its original cause has healed. When pain lasts for longer than 3-6 months, it is considered to be chronic.
Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a condition that can adversely impact a person’s day-to-day reality and pervade throughout all areas of their life. CPS affects about a quarter of people who experience chronic pain for a prolonged period of time.
Although the cause of CPS is not entirely understood, it usually begins in response to an injury. If you were injured in an accident and your pain has persisted long after your physical wounds have healed, you may be suffering from CPS.
CPS can have profound impacts on an injured accident victim’s overall quality of life. Getting through each day in excruciating pain is often a grueling, demoralizing, isolating, and emotionally overwhelming challenge. It is not uncommon for people suffering from CPS to experience debilitating mental health issues because of their persistent, prolonged physical pain. People suffering from CPS often experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Persistent fatigue
- Irritability
- Dependence on alcohol and/or drugs
- Interpersonal problems with romantic partners, friends, and family members
- Job loss
- Suicidal ideation
- And more
If you are in distress, contact the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-888-456-4566.
Recovering Long-Term Disability Benefits for CPS
If you are suffering from CPS and the symptoms of your condition make it impossible for you to continue working in your current position, provided you have the right insurance coverage, you might be eligible for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.
LTD benefits are designed to help insurance policyholders with the appropriate level of coverage who cannot continue earning their regular wages because of a prohibitive physical or mental condition. Recipients are generally awarded monthly income replacement payments of between 60-70% of their normal earnings while their medical condition makes it impossible for them to work.
Unfortunately, not all claims for LTD benefits are approved. People suffering from CPS are often denied LTD benefits payments because their symptoms cannot be observed objectively through the use of medical imaging tests or other diagnostic systems. Pain is subjective, and even though the pain may be so severe that a person’s daily life is filled with agony, insurance providers regularly deny LTD benefits claims for so-called invisible injuries.
What To Do if Your LTD Benefits Claim Has Been Denied
Our Ontario long-term disability lawyers have extensive experience fighting back against insurance companies who unfairly deny eligible policyholders the benefits they are rightfully owed. If your employer’s group insurance plan or your privately held insurance policy includes coverage for LTD benefits and your CPS prevents you from returning to work, our long-term disability lawyers serving all of Ontario may be able to provide you with crucial legal advice and support.
If your claim for LTD benefits was denied, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers. Our Ontario long-term disability lawyers may be able to help you overturn your insurance provider’s unfair decision and help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation today, call 1-800-JUSTICE.
Book a FREE Consultation
Tell us what happened
We’re here to help.
Personal Injury FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions for personal injury claims
What is a contingency fee agreement?
A contingency fee agreement means you do not pay any legal fees upfront. Your lawyer covers the costs of building and pursuing your case. We only collect a pre-agreed percentage of the final amount if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or court award. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing for our time.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You may still have a valid claim even if you believe you were partially at fault. Ontario’s laws permit you to recover compensation in cases of shared responsibility, though the final amount may reflect your portion of fault. Never assume you cannot file a claim. Let a lawyer assess the facts first.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company has made an offer?
Insurance companies often make low offers hoping victims will accept quickly. A lawyer reviews your case to determine whether the offer reflects your losses.
How long does a personal injury case typically take?
That will depend on the severity of your injuries and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate.
What costs are involved in pursuing a personal injury claim?
Preszler Injury Lawyers works on contingency, so you don’t pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why is it important to document my injuries and recovery process?
Keeping a simple journal helps track how your injuries affect your daily life. Note your pain levels, medical appointments, missed work or social activities, and any challenges you face with personal care or household chores. This documentation provides powerful evidence to support your claim for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Can I still claim compensation if the accident happened on someone else’s property?
Yes. Property owners must maintain safe premises. If their negligence caused your injury, you may have a valid claim.
What should I bring to my free consultation?
Bring any documents you have related to the accident. This includes police reports, your driver’s licence and insurance information, the other party’s information, photos of the scene or your injuries, and any receipts for expenses like prescriptions or therapy. The more information you provide, the better we can assess your claim.