The Difficulty of Proving Long-Term Benefit Needs for Chronic Pain Settlements in Ontario
Those who suffer from chronic pain can tell you that it is a very real thing. But because chronic pain may have very vague and elusive symptoms and unknown causes, proving it for purposes of insurance benefits and chronic pain settlements in Ontario may be extremely difficult.
The Far-Reaching Impact of Chronic Pain on Daily Life
Chronic pain is medically and legally defined as pain lasting more than twelve weeks. One in five people in Canada experience chronic pain from an accident injury. It can take on many different symptoms and can interfere not only with an individual’s movement and stamina but also with things like sleep and mood. Individuals who suffer from chronic pain know that it can affect almost every aspect of their lives and in some people, it can cause depression and social withdrawal. Research has shown that chronic pain sufferers are at double the risk for suicide.
No Cure for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain currently cannot be “cured” although there are some options available for sufferers such as surgery, pain medications, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Opioids are sometimes recommended for severe cases.
Unfortunately, chronic pain may often be experienced non-locally and can’t always be diagnosed through conventional physical methods. In some cases, chronic pain may have been initiated by an injury and while the injury may have healed, the pain continues to get worse. This makes chronic pain very difficult to prove for insurance benefit purposes and also makes it difficult to determine the value of a claim.
Chronic Pain Settlements in Ontario
If chronic pain has been affecting you and your ability to work, you may be able to file for injury benefits from an accident injury that initially caused your pain or apply for long-term disability benefits. If you have been suffering from chronic pain, the Ontario long-term disability lawyers at Hilborn and Konduros may be able to help. Call us at (519) 658-6341 to discuss your legal rights.
